Field Notes of an Ordinary Pastor
10 links to check out over the weekend…
(Photo: Ryan McGuire)
The Big Read – Daily Read
1 Corinthians 4
v1-6: There is a danger we face regarding how we view those serve as pastors. It is the danger of extremes, either overvaluing them or undervaluing them. They are not to be overvalued for they are “ministers, not masters; stewards, not lords… servants of Christ, nothing more.” But neither are they to be undervalued for although they are ministers, they are ministers of Christ, who gives them as gifts to the church.
v7-13: None of us have any “reason to be proud of our achievements, enjoyments, or actions; all that we have, are, or do that is good is owing to the free and rich grace of God.” This means that boasting is excluded. “We have nothing that we can properly call our own: all we have has been received from God. It is foolish, therefore, and wrongful to him, to boast about it.”
v14-16: Pastors and church leaders are to set an example for the flock under their care, living “in such a way that their people may see them as models and justly follow their example.” They are not just to lead and guide the church only by their words, but also by their lives. Church members should follow their example “as far as they are satisfied their ministers follow Christ in faith and practice.”
v17-21: We need to be reminded of what we have been taught about Christ because we are prone to forget or slow to learn. “The same truth, taught over again, even if it gives no new light, may make a new and quicker impression.”
Quotes from Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
(Photo: Brad Neathery)
A prayer based on 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.
To You, the only wise God,
We come before You now, as those who marvel at Your wisdom.
Creation proclaims it.
Providence shows it.
Salvation magnifies it.
Yet without Your Spirit revealing it to us in Your Word, and giving us understanding, we would be left in the dark.
Your wise plans and purpose and Your wise ways and works would be hidden from us.
So, we give to You our thanks, that Your Spirit, who inspired the biblical authors to write down the words of Scripture has given us the understanding we need.
Especially concerning how we might be saved from our sin and the judgment which is to come, through faith in Jesus, and how in response we might worship and serve You and live holy lives.
It therefore is to our shame, to confess to You, and acknowledge that we so easily turn from Your wisdom and think we know better than You do.
We turn to the wisdom of the world.
We listen to the voices found there.
We follow the direction they give which seems right in our eyes and which takes us further away from You, our God.
Forgive us we pray.
Forgive us for the sake of Your Son who listened to Your voice and He did not once rebel against it, even when it took Him to the cross where He died in the place of sinners.
We thank You that it is through that death we found forgiveness, but also received Your Holy Spirit who is at work in us to enable us to see the wisdom of living for You and the folly of ignoring You.
Help us we pray, not only to hear the Spirit’s voice as He speaks wisdom to us, but to hear these words above the noise of the world that clamours for our attention.
Lord, we pray that this would happen when we gather together each Sunday to hear Your Word read and preached, and the truths sung and prayed.
Lord, we pray that this would happen when we are on our own and we read and meditate on the Scriptures.
Give us understanding and shape and fashion us by it to the likeness of Your Son and keep us from sin.
What we pray for ourselves, we also want to pray for others who are ignorant of You.
Gracious God, in Your mercy, would you give to family members, friends, and others in our community, the knowledge of Your wisdom and power made known in Christ.
Use us to faithfully speak of Jesus, and as we do, Holy Spirit, open their blind eyes so that they can see the glory of the gospel – that which no eyes had seen, no ear has heard, and no heart has conceived – unless it has been made known to them.
Only You can do this, so we beg of You to, so that more people will praise You for and marvel at Your wisdom.
Amen.
(Photo: Freely)
The Big Read – Daily Read
1 Corinthians 3
v1-4: All believers are to be growing in faith and holiness and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
v5-10: “God uses a wide variety of instruments, fitting them to their different uses and intentions.” There are some who are planters and others who are waterers, but any success they have in their ministry is down to God’s blessing.
v11-15: A faithful ministry is one that preaches the truth of the gospel, which does not add to or take away from what God has revealed in His Word.
v16-17: Every church and every Christian is a temple of the living God that Christ through His Spirit lives in. As temples of God, we have been “set apart for God and his service,” and we must be “holy by profession and should be pure and clean in both heart and life.”
v18-20: “Do not be led away from the truth and simplicity of the Gospel by those who claim to have great knowledge and eloquence.” To be truly wise we must learn from God not the wisdom of the world.
v21-23: Ministers are not in competition with each other. “All faithful ministers are serving one Lord and pursuing one purpose. They were appointed by Christ for the common benefit of the church.”
Quotes from Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
(Photo: Brad Neathery)
Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on How to keep refreshed in lockdown with John Stevens, Johnny Prime and a panel of gospel workers.
1. Jesus came to end the exile and restore the fortunes of His people. We have been given the task of bringing in the harvest by sowing the Word of God and gathering in God’s people. As we do this there will be both tears and joy at the same time.
2. COVID Guidance Update: Restarting Children and Youth Activities.
– At present indoor and outdoor provision is allowed for vulnerable children and young people plus for children of critical workers (where reasonably necessary to enable parents/carers to work, search for work, undertake education or training, or attend a medical appointment or address a medical need).
– From 8th March same as above except critical workers element removed. Indoor and outdoor provision for children where reasonably necessary to enable parents/carers to work, search for work, undertake education or training, or attend a medical appointment or address a medical need.
– From 29th March outdoor provision for all children and outdoor parent and child groups with up to 15 parents (leaders/helpers of this group not included in the 15).
– From 12th April (at earliest) indoor and outdoor provision for children as normal and indoor parent and children groups with up to 15 parents.
– This practically means that we won’t be able to run Sunday School, Midweek Children’s and Youth Groups, Parent and Toddler Groups until after 12th April.
3. Additional guidance about how Children and Youth Activities are run.
– Social distancing, handwashing, cleaning etc is assumed.
– Where all children are under 5, the maximum group size is determined by number of adults present.
– Where any children over 5, they should be in small consistent groups of no more than 15 (multiple groups of 15 are allowed to run in small space provided distancing between groups is in place).
– Secondary school age children should wear face coverings indoors including in classrooms/during activities unless 2m social distancing can be maintained.
– Where children are primary school age or below – staff and adult visitors should wear face coverings where social distancing between adults is not possible.
– These measures will be in place until Easter and then reviewed.
– Ideally children should attend only one out-of-school setting in addition to school which is local to their home or school (within walking or cycling distance).
– Parents and carers should not be allowed into the setting unless it is essential.
4. Our spiritual freshness is linked to our continued proclamation of our Lord. However, it is not uncommon for those in ministry at present to share how they feel stale, drained or spiritual dry. Some shared causes of this include missing interaction with others ‘one-anothering’; choosing to withdraw from people which is easier; having to stay in the house; not being able to enjoy the means of grace with God’s people; finding that everything that made you feel fruitful was ripped from you overnight; overwhelmed and exhausted by task of adapting everything; feeling like you are in survival mode.
5. What has been helpful in keeping you fresh personally? Meeting with staff team regular and praying with them; hearing from mission partners who have had to persevere in difficult situations; spending a hour reading God’s Word and a good book; having eyes open to the evidence of God’s grace in every context – refreshed by seeing what the Lord is doing; using words of Anglican morning prayer service which give words when finding it hard to pray; going through the Psalms in a month; stillness before the Lord placing self in personal surrender; less hurried time with the Lord; read books/listen to podcasts that focus on who God is rather than what I must do to be a good Christian; Bible memorisation; journalling – discipline of expressing something on paper; recognise that there is nothing wrong with letting other Christians feed you in your quiet time (sermons/light commentaries).
6. Those who have been in ministry for a long time have a back catalogue of experience to draw on which can make you feel like you are in control. This crisis had made it feel like you are in the first year of ministry all over again and out of your depth. This is a gift from God to teach dependence upon Him rather than your experience.
7. Book recommendation: Jesus lover of my soul by Julian Hardyman. It is right to see Song of Songs as a picture of the relationship with Christ and the church and the individual members of the church.
8. Lord Jesus every morning wants to hear my voice. Quiet time is not primarily about me. Jesus really likes it when I turn up. In Christ I am lovely to Christ.
9. No update on guidance regarding singing either indoors or outdoors.
10. Reminder that even though over 70s have been vaccinated the Government Guidance for that age group still remains in place at present.
11. Be aware that when all restrictions removed on 21st June, people whose life has been on hold for a year will want to see family or friends and get away, so don’t be surprised if church does not regather straightaway. It will most likely be a gradual process.
The Big Read – Daily Read
1 Corinthians 2
v1-5: Faithful pastors have a deep awareness of their own weakness. “They know how inadequate they are for the great task before them” of preaching Christ and Him crucified. They are also aware that any fruit from their preaching will only come if the Spirit by “his internal influence on the human heart,” brings about faith in those hearing the message.
v6-16: “The great truths of the Gospel are things that lie outside the sphere of human discovery.” If these truths “could be discovered by the human eye of reason and communicated by the ear to the mind, as matters of common human knowledge may be” there would be no need for divine revelation. But we cannot know the gospel unless the Holy Spirit makes it known to us, nor believe it for our salvation unless the Holy Spirit “enlightens the faculty, opens the eye of the heart, and gives us such a knowledge and faith” that we respond by believing in Jesus Christ.
Quotes from Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
(Photo: Brad Neathery)
The Big Read – 1 Corinthians
Powerpoint Pictures: Pictures of objects being reflected
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What can you see being reflected by the following things? [A mirror reflecting a bed; a river reflecting a hot air balloon; a glass reflecting some trees; a spoon reflecting a parasol/umbrella].
In the Bible we are told that the church is meant to reflect someone. When people look at the church they are not meant to see a group of people but a person.
1 Corinthians was a letter the apostle Paul wrote to a local church in Corinth. This local church had lots of problems such as divisions, immorality and a lack of love. But more serious than these individual problems was that they weren’t doing what they were supposed to be, they weren’t reflecting the person they were supposed to.
So Paul writes to them, and he give them a command:
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
The church in Corinth was meant to be reflecting Christ, but they weren’t doing a very good job of it.
They were divided – but Christ has one body not multiple ones.
They were worldly and immoral – but Christ is holy and pure.
They were unloving – but Christ is love and has shown His love in the most amazing of ways by dying for their sins.
As Paul writes to correct their behaviour, by telling them to be like Christ, Jesus is revealed to us as the one who is One, Holy, and Loving!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More talks from The Big Read for Kids can be found HERE
(Photo: Freely)
The Big Read – Daily Read
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
v18-25: The message of Christ crucified was a stumbling block to the Jews because “they thought that their expected Messiah would be a great worldly ruler” and “would never acknowledge one who was so humble and poor and died such a cursed death.” The message of Christ crucified was also foolishness to the Greeks who sought human wisdom and found “the plain message of the cross to suit their taste, indulge their vanity, or satisfy their inquisitive fondness for a good argument.” But those who receive the gospel see in the message of the cross more of God’s wisdom and power than all His other works.
v26-31: “We are foolishness—ignorant and blind in divine things, with all our boasted so-called knowledge, and he is made wisdom to us. We are guilty, exposed to his justice, and he is made righteousness, our great atonement and sacrifice. We are depraved and corrupt, and he is made our sanctification, the spring of our spiritual life; from him, the head, spiritual life is communicated to all the members of his mystical body by his Holy Spirit. We are in chains, and he is made our redemption, our Saviour and rescuer.”
Quotes from Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
(Photo: Brad Neathery)
Sermon I preached on Genesis 18:1-15 at Banstead Community Church on 28th February 2021.
1. The LORD wants to be with His people
2. The LORD wants to build up His people
More sermons can be found HERE
(Photo: lauramusikanski)
This month The Big Read at Banstead Community Church moves on to the book of 1 Corinthians.
You can find some resources to help you read the book HERE.
I’ve preached through the whole book in 26 sermons. Below are the links to all the sermon audio and their outlines.
1 Corinthians 1:1-17: Local churches are magnificent // Local churches are messy
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5: God saves people through His weak message // God saves people through His weak messengers
1 Corinthians 2:6-16: The Spirit reveals God’s wisdom to us // The Spirit illuminates God’s wisdom for us
1 Corinthians 3: Leaders are servants of God // Leaders are tested by God
1 Corinthians 4: They preach cross-centred messages // They live cross-centred lives
1 Corinthians 5: Church discipline is vital for the health of the Christian // Church discipline is vital for the health of the church
1 Corinthians 6:1-11: Worldliness creeps in when you forget your destiny // Worldliness creeps in when you forget your identity
1 Corinthians 6:12-20: Your body belongs to God // Your body is joined to God’s Son
1 Corinthians 7:1-9: While you are single, be content being single // While you are married, be content being married
1 Corinthians 7:10-24: Stay as you are if you are married to a Christian // Stay as you are if you are not married to a Christian
1 Corinthians 7:25-40: You’ll avoid the distractions marriage brings // You’ll avoid the difficulties marriage brings
1 Corinthians 8: Act in a way that is consistent with Christ’s lordship // Act in a way that is consistent with Christ’s love
1 Corinthians 9:1-23: Sacrifice is necessary if sinners are to hear the gospel // Flexibility is necessary if sinners are to hear the gospel
1 Corinthians 9:24-10:13: Don’t be aimless // Don’t be arrogant
1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1: God is not glorified when people are confused about what the gospel does // God is not glorified when people are confused about what the gospel is
1 Corinthians 11:2-16: Accept that headship is good // Accept that different is good
1 Corinthians 11:17-34: Look in // Look out
1 Corinthians 12:1-11: The Holy Spirit helps you say “Jesus is Lord” // The Holy Spirit helps you serve one another
1 Corinthians 12:12-31: You do belong // You are needed
1 Corinthians 13: Love is what Christ is like // Love is what heaven is like
1 Corinthians 14:1-25: Be keen to have gifts that edify the saints // Be keen to have gifts that evangelise the sinners
1 Corinthians 14:26-40: Order is needed for the church to hear the Word of God // Order is needed for the church to display the character of God
1 Corinthians 15:1-11: Jesus’ resurrection is primary – it’s central to the gospel! // Jesus’ resurrection is physical – the evidence proves it! // Jesus’ resurrection is powerful – it changes lives!
1 Corinthians 15:12-34: You can be certain about the resurrection that has happened // You can be certain about the resurrection that will happen
1 Corinthians 15:35-58: You are going to have a new body fit for heaven // You are going to have a new body death cannot touch
1 Corinthians 16: By giving our money to gospel work // By giving our time to gospel work
(Photo: VerticalStripe)
At Banstead Community Church we’re following a church-wide Bible Reading plan called The Big Read. (You can read about it here).
This month – March – we are reading through 1 Corinthians together.
Here are some resources that might help you as you read this book:
Bible Reading Plan: Read a 1 chapter a day or follow this plan and you’ll get through the book in a month. ESV Scripture Journal: 1 Corinthians.
Scripture Listening App: Dwell
Overviews: 1 Corinthians Video; The Big Read – Jesus in 1 Corinthians; Kids Talk
Sermons: 26 part sermon series I preached on 1 Corinthians at Banstead Community Church
Bible Reading Notes: Family Worship Bible Guide; Explore App; 1 Corinthians: Not in Vain
Commentaries: The New Matthew Henry Commentary; 1 Corinthians For You; True Spirituality; Twelve Challenges Churches Face
(Photo: Freely)
The Big Read – Daily Read
Introduction
In the immoral city of Corinth, Paul’s ministry had been blessed by God and a church had been planted. But this church was now full of corruption and needed correction. Under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit, Paul sets about doing this.
1 Corinthians 1:1-17
v1-9: Paul recognises and give thanks to God for the Corinthians’ conversion and faith in Christ and the abundance of spiritual gifts present in this church. “Where God has given these two gifts, he has given great capacity for usefulness.”
v10-16: Christians should be united to one another because there is only one Christ. Only He is our Saviour and Lord, our sacrifice and our guide.
v17: Paul “preached a crucified Jesus in clear, direct, plain language, telling the people that the Jesus who was crucified at Jerusalem was the Son of God and Saviour of humanity, and that all who want to be saved must repent of their sins, believe in this Jesus, and submit to his government and laws.” He did not preach with the flourish of an orator because he did not want any success “attributed to human skill rather than to truth.”
Quotes from Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
(Photo: Brad Neathery)