his week’s guest writer is Ron Collett.
ISOLATION? - HOW ABOUT GOING INTO ALL THE WORLD!!!!
MATTHEW CHAPTER 28 Verses16-20
I expect that most people are fed up and tired of our state of isolation. We are all affected to a lesser or greater degree. Undoubtedly we want rid of it. There are many people who are restricted by age or ill health but prior to COVID-19, enjoyed regular visits, treats and activities. We feel sad when a birthday is a kiss at a window, and gone is that special treat and perhaps a party. We think of the joys of Christmas! Lockdown! Don’t go there, it doesn’t bear thinking about! Well take heart, the signs are that we are coming through this awful experience. Good news indeed!
Of course, the battle against COVID-19 is not yet won. But there are good signs to encourage us. It has left much pain and devastation. Our thoughts and prayers must be with those who have, and are, suffering from it. However, there is a feeling of optimism about.
The last command Jesus gave to his disciples was ‘go into all the world and tell all people the good news’ (Read Matthew chapter 28 verses 16-20) The spread of the good news of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus happened within weeks. At Pentecost, with Peter’s great speech and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, over 3,000 people believed and were baptised. After repeated efforts over a period of nearly 250 years to stop this ‘new way’ spreading, finally Emperor Constantine pronounced it to be the official religion of the Roman Empire. He believed and was baptised. Some say on his death bed! If there ever was a time to make known the good news of Jesus, it’s now.
Many people will this week speak to loved ones and can testify of how we have been sustained in these troubled times through the facility of skype, zoom, the internet and the telephone. We have been encouraged and inspired by Stephen’s programme of worship and teaching. WE ARE COMING OUT OF THIS NIGHTMARE. Time to tell the world how great is our God. Time to go into all the world, especially the one that is on our door step! Time to share how the Lord our God has been our light and salvation through many dark days. Time to pray with, and comfort those, who have come through the epidemic but without people they love. For the opportunity to gather together to worship, albeit in a restricted form. A time to take care, but to be filled with hope. A TIME TO GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE OUR GOD, FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT.
P.S. from Stephen:
Listen on YouTube to ‘To God be the glory THENBA’
To God be the glory! Great things He hath done;
so loved He the world that He gave us His Son;
who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord!
let the earth hear His voice praise the Lord,
praise the Lord! let the people rejoice:
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son
and give Him the glory, great things He hath done!
(Frances van Alstyne / Fanny J Crosby 1820-1915)
SUNDAY MORNING
If you are NOT COMING to church
- I will continue to write a summary of my Sunday message for facebook, church website, email and those who receive paper copies.
- If you are ‘friends’ with us on the church Facebook page, we are hoping to live-stream our 10:30am event. In future weeks we hope to make it available on the church website.
If you ARE COMING to Church:
You need to have booked a place beforehand. If you haven’t already spoken to a Church Leader contact me turvesgreenbaptists@gmail.com or 07456 826 326
The Morning session is full, but there are still places available at 6:30pm
- Do not arrive earlier than 15 minutes before the event.
- On arrival you will be booked in and asked to confirm that you have none of the symptoms most associated with COVID19
- You will then be asked to sanitise your hands and if you haven’t already, to put on a face mask.
- The windows will be open throughout, and the heating will not be on, so come dressed appropriately.
I look forward to writing to everyone and seeing some of you on Sunday - Stephen