Devotional materials. Week commencing Sunday 5th December 2021
Call to worship
‘God’s love has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us.’ Romans 5:5
Hymn
“O God of burning cleansing flame” MP 1004
(Keyboards)
William Booth, adapted Lex Loizides.
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit of God, the Lord and giver of life. Who hovered over the waters and brought forth abundant, material blessings. The one who breathes life into what has been made. The One who breathes life into dusty souls- freshness that we might awake, cleansing that we are washed and clean. Holy Spirit who leads us into the truth of the Word, that we might see clearly, who moves us toward unity and infuses us with courage, so we can be lights to the world. Come Holy Spirit, embrace us, lead us and free us. Amen.
Reading. Genesis 41: 33-40
41 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.” The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Hymns
“My Jesus, My Saviour” MP 1003 (Keyboards & Guitar)
Darlene Zschech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl1-MQn32yI
“Holy Spirit We Welcome You” 241 MP (Keyboards)
Chris Bowater
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDWDoe0YjVM
A Prayer for Revival.
Forgive us Lord where we your people have grieved your Holy Spirit. Where your church has become institutionalised and worldly, merely aping the thought forms and activity of the culture. By your Holy Spirit come to us afresh, purge every evil and wrong doing, flood the dry ground of our hearts with the living waters of your Spirit. Renew our first love for You. That we may be full of courage and devotion as those first believers were, and gladly declare Your Name and ways.
Father God. We live in such an age where people wander aimlessly to find something to give them meaning and life. What they seek they do not find, because they are not finding it in the true source of life itself-You. Father, today we come to you to ardently asking for a revival of souls in this age.
We thank You for the work of revival you are carrying out through many parts of the world, but we pray for fresh visitations of your Spirit in our country. We are grieved at how many in their pride have turned from You and your ways to idols of their own hearts and minds, and pursued self- will at all costs. We see the degeneration that results. Have mercy Lord. Convict many that they may turn from the anguish and alienation of sin to the joy and assurance of knowing You live in them by the Holy Spirit.
Father, You say in Matthew 7 to come and ask You as our Father for what we desire. Lord, we desire for our friends, families, and neighbours to be open and to seek and find the truth of the authentic source of life- You. We pray Your Holy Spirit be poured out onto the people You have made. We pray you would speak into the people You crafted with Your hands. Father, You say in Psalm 139 that You crafted each and every person in the hidden place in the palm of Your hand, and so we pray that truth will be brought to light in each and every person You have crafted. It is only by Your Spirit that truth can be truly known (John 15:26) and so we implore this day for such revival of souls, of nations, and of hearts. Amen
Reading. Luke 4:14-21
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Hymn
“There is a Redeemer” MP 673 (Keyboards)
Melody & Keith Green
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldRcFz7rK7w
Sermon
“God with us.”
Part 2.”Two Portraits of the Holy Spirit at Work.”
Introduction
This is the second in our series ‘God with us’ we have already begun to see that the Christ of Christmas is ‘God with us’- God come into our world as a helpless baby. But Christ promised His disciples another Comforter or Counsellor- One like Himself who would dwell in believers. The Holy Spirit who would be to His followers everything Jesus himself had been to them when He walked the earth. God with us- the Son at Bethlehem. God with us- the Holy Spirit after Pentecost.
On the Day of Pentecost Peter stated “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you see and now hear.” (Acts 2: 32, 33). We see from these words the Holy Spirit is the gift of the Father to His Son, and in turn, the Holy Spirit is the gift of the risen Christ to His disciples.
In order for us to properly appreciate the gift of the Spirit, I have selected an example of His work in Joseph from the Old Testament (often considered to be the most Christ like character in the Old Testament). We will then look at the Holy Spirit’s operation in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
Joseph
Thinking back to our reading from Genesis 41, we see that Joseph was equipped by the Holy Spirit to be the prime minister of Egypt. God had given Joseph the interpretation to Pharaoh’s dream. Seven years of great abundance, followed by seven years of famine (28-30) throughout Egypt.
And then Joseph gives a series of instructions from verse 33; a plan of action that Pharaoh should pursue. Principally that Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man to administer a savings plan across the country. Aided by commissioners, a fifth of the food from the years of plenty should be stored and saved, but then made ready for use when the years of famine came.
Notice it is because this plan seemed good to Pharaoh and his officials (37), that he states ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God.” (38).
Today the Holy Spirit’s role is sometimes restricted to one who inspires biblical theology or as one who is experienced in praise and worship. The spirit certainly enlightens the Word, and God certainly inhabits His people’s praises. But here, the Holy Spirit is the one who gives very practical wisdom for a plan of administration. The instructions do not look like they have been given directly to Joseph like the interpretation of the dream, and yet these instructions are still given by the Holy Spirit. They appear to come out of an accumulated wisdom from his past experience:
Joseph sees the need for a centrally administered plan. Human nature being what it is, most people will spend all they earn. The few individuals who would save would be tempted to profiteer when opportunity came. The key to success is a wise discerning man (not a self-seeking despot), who would administer the supplies fairly and with integrity. A 20% tax in these first years would be unpopular, so the administrator must be skilled in diplomacy and persuasion.
It is probable that Joseph had acquired some skill as an administrator when he had looked after Potiphar’s affairs. God was training him then for what lay ahead. There is no suggestion her that Joseph offered himself to Pharaoh for this position. He was not only a foreigner but a prisoner and had never held a political office of any kind. He had no formal training and was only thirty years old. But Pharaoh saw it was a God inspired plan. He unexpectedly gives Joseph the job! But it is actually God who has opened this door for him.
Notice too, the Spirit’s practical wisdom is infused with integrity and the good of others
Joseph has learnt patience and trust through his long period of suffering and humiliation. He has been properly tempered and mellowed. His God given wisdom is not self-glorifying, he’s not thinking about how much foods he can stockpile for himself.
There’s a picture here for us. Just as Joseph and his brothers stored the grain to give to others, so too, no one should think they are anything because of the spiritual food of God’s word they have stored in their minds. I say that about myself too. Rather, we ask ourselves, how can I practically share this good food the Lord has fed me with over the years, to best meet the needs of my brothers and sisters? To build into young people’s lives. To befriend and get alongside the person who has just become a Christian.
When it comes to the Spirit’s practical wisdom, we can apply this truth to ourselves by asking these questions: What are the practical gifts God has given me by His Holy Spirit? How can I contribute to the whole?
We do not all have the same gifts Sometimes teachers and worship leaders are especially associated with the Spirit. That is a false picture. There is diversity in the body of Christ- a variety of gifts and ministries inspired by the Holy Spirit. Each one of us here can receive the Spirit’s practical wisdom, and show it through gifts He has given them:
Romans 12: 4-8 states “ Just as each of us has one body with many members and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
A came across this rather amusing piece, but it makes the point well about everyone having been gifts to use in very practical ways in the Church:
An Anglican minister said he sometimes has a dream of the perfect church. The worship is perfect, the problems non- existent, the personnel vibrant. Barry Tone is the superb director of music ably assisted by his associate Benny Diktus and a super band the Magnificats. Neil Down is the Director of Pastoring, Percy Vere co-ordinates evangelism, and exercising a strict role over the training is Ben Dover. Sally forth maintains the missionary interest. Benny Factor handles the money, while Dina Mite is a church co coordinator, and Sue preem is the Rector’s assistant- the Rector being a firm no nonsense individual by the name of Dick Tate. Unfortunately, he says, some others in the church include Mark Time, Peter Out, Molly Coddell and the gossip Di Vulge!
We now come to the work of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of…
The Lord Jesus Christ
First we see the Holy Spirit effected the miraculous conception of our Saviour. Matthew 1:18: “His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy spirit” and verse 20: the angel appeared to Joseph and said: “Joseph…do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”
In Luke 3:22 the Holy Spirit descends as a dove at the baptism of Jesus. Jesus is therefore publicly identified as the promised Messiah. The Spirit is at work to glorify Christ.
Even as the Spirit dwells in believers He makes Christ real to us. This is why, with the Apostle Paul, we can declare ‘Christ lives in me’ (Galations 2:20). The Holy Spirit lives within believers and He makes Christ present and real to each believer. Notice too all three persons of the Trinity are named as present and alive: God the Father speaks, God the Son is baptised, God the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus. God is one, yet in three persons. This is a mystery. Other references that speak of the Father, son and Holy Spirit are: Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12: 4-13; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Ephesians 2:18, 1 Thessalonians 1:2 and 1 Peter 1:2.
The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ.
Christ was also led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (Luke 4:1). Before Jesus embarks on His public ministry, we see it is necessary that He faces temptation by the devil. Jesus is put to the test- not to see if He is ready, but to show He is ready for His mission.
But why does the Holy Spirit lead Him into this? Temptation is part of human experience. And Jesus, thankfully God, is also fully man. For Jesus to be fully human, and truly share our experience, He too must face temptation. Jesus is a member of the Adam’s family- as we all are! As Adam’s descendent He must face the temptations Adam faced. Most significantly Adam gave in to temptation and passed sin on to the whole human race. Jesus, however, resisted Satan. He faced temptation and overcame. The Spirit therefore shows us Jesus’ perfection.
The Spirit therefore shows us Jesus perfection. Later in the Gospels we see how important it is that only a perfect sacrifice can undo Adam’s rebellion. Only Christ can make complete atonement for our sins through the cross, and so reconcile us to God.
But the Spirit’s activity here gives us encouragement. We too face temptations. And we are encouraged to seek the Lord, know He understands and can strengthen us so we remain faithful: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Luke 4: 15, 16).
Temptation tests the essence of what you believe. Will you crack and give in to peer pressure or be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, maintain integrity and hold on to God’s word, using it as a sword of the Spirit? (Ephesians 6:17) to resist Satan’s lies.
Before attending Bible College I was severely tempted, to the point where I had to relinquish my own plans- they all failed- and just move forward knowing my security was in God and His promises. But He made me stronger for it and subsequently more useful to Him in ministry. I want to encourage you here. Are you facing overt temptation at this moment? Hold on to Christ and His word, persevere, because this testing will run its course. He will be able to use you more abundantly in your family life, work place, the church, or even in your relationship with God if you stay strong, acting on biblical guidance for these areas of your life, enlightened by the Spirit, rather than succumbing to temptation.
Finally we look at the passage read to us from Luke 4:14-21:
Jesus has read from Isaiah 61:1, 2:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.”
Some think Isaiah’s words here picture the deliverance of Israel from exile in Babylon as a Year of jubilee- ‘the year of the Lord’s favour’. When all debts would be cancelled, all slaves freed and all property returned to its rightful owners. Whether that’s true or not, Isaiah was prophesying about an anointed figure himself anointed by the Holy Spirit who would bring about wonderfully similar things. Luke’s Gospel is concerned about social needs, and Jesus frequently ministered to these.
This sets a pattern for us as Christ’s body on earth. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit, continuing His ministry in showing love to those in social need. But these phrases can
also be interpreted, and are used elsewhere in the Scriptures with spiritual significance. All of us can be afflicted by sin. Leaving us impoverished, prisoners to sin, spiritually blind and oppressed. Through Christ’s death on the cross, however, we have the good news of the Gospel. In the Gospel we have forgiveness of sin, freedom from its power over us, and personal knowledge of God’s grace. All this is of God’s favour shown towards us, not of our own merits. This Gospel of grace.
It is this Gospel the apostles preached and the Church, continuing to be led by the Holy Spirit, preached. This redemptive good news. The Holy Spirit also spurs us to evangelise in order that others be won for the Lord. Then they can also know His grace and favour, regardless of their past, regardless of their status in the eyes of other people. This is what the Holy Spirit drives us to do.
At present we are showing DVD presentations to reach non-Christians with the truth of the Incarnation. We celebrate God become man at Christmas. Consider inviting friends and family to one or more of our three remaining Saturday morning presentations, the details of which are on the December News Sheet (and listed at the end of these materials). And think about inviting someone to one of our Christmas services.
Further, as a member church of the Sussex Gospel Partnership, we and other like- minded local churches will be holding events associated with a national initiative called ‘A Passion for Life’ to be held in the Spring of next year. To that end there will be three local Sunday evening meetings, 6.30pm, in January 2022- the 16th (All Saints Wick), 23rd (Arundel Baptist) and 30th January (here at Angmering Baptist), to help members/attenders of our churches to think evangelistically and prepare for that mission. Consider coming along to one or more of those meetings.
Conclusion
When we reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit, at work in the life of Joseph from the Old Testament, and the Lord Jesus Christ in the New, we cannot help but be impressed.
We see the Holy Spirit giving practical wisdom to Joseph. We too need this wisdom. It’s a wisdom that is not self-seeking, but rather advanced in the service of others. A wisdom open to all of us in the way we use the gifts and practical ministries the Holy Spirit has distributed to each one so the church is built up as a whole.
We also clearly see the work of the Holy Spirit in the Lord Jesus Christ; effecting His Incarnation, glorifying Christ at his baptism, leading Him to face temptation and overcome and directing Him into a redemptive ministry. A ministry that addresses social concerns but a ministry supremely concerned with the gospel. The Gospel of grace: of forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God himself through the cross. This liberation is offered to each one of us, an offer Christ continues to make through his Church, by the Holy Spirit. PTO
Hymn (Piano)
“All over the world, the Spirit is moving” MP 18 (Keyboards)
Roy Turner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR4tE1kh-mE
Blessing
May His tongues of flame burn out all evil from our hearts fill us with his love and peace, and give us the fruit and gifts of His Holy Spirit, and a voice to praise him for ever. Amen
David Barnes 5/12/21
…………………………………………….
Information
There are three remaining DVD presentations (no charge), here at Angmering Baptist Church, Saturday mornings, during December, 10.00am prompt start followed by refreshments:
“Can we be good without God?” (45mins, 4/12) If we rule God out of right and wrong we must try to find grounds for moral thinking in nature, our individual opinions, or surrounding culture. John Blanchard demonstrates none of these provides a coherent basis for distinguishing good or evil.
“Who is Jesus?” (50 mins, 11/12). Nicky Gumbel formerly a barrister and one time atheist, looks at evidence for Christ as the Son of God, including manuscript evidence for Jesus as a character of history and evidences for His Resurrection.
“Jesus” (83 mins, 18/12). Made in 1979, this particular film is the most watched film of all time, and is the most translated film of all time. It is a dramatic retelling, shot on location in Israel, and strictly keeps to Luke’s Gospel. People can then see for themselves Christ’s divinity as they watch this dramatized version of Luke’s Gospel. All are welcome.
There are a number of Christmas Services this month. I have listed all of them here for your prayers:
Wednesday 8/12, 6.30pm Cub Scouts Carol Service. Feel free to attend this full nativity service which we are unable to have in any other Carol Service.
Sunday 12/12, 4.30pm. Café Church, members sharing carols.
Tuesday 14/12, 2.00-4.00pm Friendship and Fun, first 30 mins a Carol Service. PTO
Thursday 16/12, 2.00pm WI Carol Service.
Sunday 19/12, 10.30am Morning Service and 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight.
Tuesday 21/12, 11.00am. Carol Service at Green Willow Home.
Wednesday 22/12, 11.00am. Carol Service at Darlington Court.
Friday 24/12 Outdoor Christmas Eve Service on Angmering Green.
Saturday 25/12, 10.30am Christmas Day Family Service.
Sunday 26/12, 10.30am Boxing Day Service.
……………………………………………