Please re-direct

Because of the church name change and a new website this blog has now moved to www.cchh.org.uk/online-resources/blogs/

The new church website is http://www.cchh.org.uk
 

A Christian Theology of Food

Great article by Tim Chester - something to think about next time you have a meal...

http://theresurgence.com/2011/04/28/a-biblical-theology-of-food

Sermon at Kate and Will's Wedding - what do you think?

There are a couple of good lines in it...

http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/blog/2011/April/29/The-Bishop-of-London-s-Sermon

Rob Bell: Love Wins Review

This is a very long review but worth a read or at least scanning through

God Is Still Holy and What You Learned in Sunday School Is Still True: A Review of “Love Wins”

Despicable Christians, Unspeakable Grace: A Response to Ricky Gervais

Despicable Christians, Unspeakable Grace: A Response to Ricky Gervais

Did Music Evolve?

A really interesting review of a book about music from a Christian website

http://creation.com/review-musicophilia-by-oliver-sacks

John 10:22-42 Get rid of the blasphemer

Some people want to point the finger at Jesus, or to get rid of Him from their lives.


But thankfully, some listen and are completely safe in God's hands

Graham Nicholls preaching from John 10v22 to 42 on Sunday morning 17th April 2011

Isaiah 65:1-16 - The God Who is there

Click here to listen to Mark Ventham Preaching from Isaiah 65:1 to 16 on Sunday evening 17th April 2011

Isaiah 63:7 to 64:12 God's Praying People

Isaiah sees a world of darkness but the full light of God's promises. When he puts these together it leads him to earnest heartfelt humble realistic faithful praying.

Click here to listen to Nick McQuaker Preaching from Isaiah 63:7 to 64:12 on Sunday evening 10th April 2011

Victory

A vision given to Isaiah of a victorious leader returning from battle in royal splendour. 

From this text we learn that God wins a great victory in Jesus: He is the triumphant king returning from victory in battle. This battle was won at personal cost. God gets involved personally stained as He judges sin. It's a picture of the suffering Christ. Even more, this victorious battle is won alone. This has to be so. God has to work. It also describes the isolation of Jesus Christ, supremely at the Cross.

In this victory, all our enemies will be defeated. The wrath of God falls on all who oppose him. This punishment falls either on Christ at the Cross, or at the end of all things in the final judgement.

Click here to listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Isaiah 61- 6 on Sunday evening 3rd April March 2011

Ask 11-year-olds if they are gay, says equality report

Ask 11-year-olds if they are gay, says equality report

John 9: Blind Eyes Opened

Are you blind? Can you see who Jesus is?

In John 9 Jesus Heals a man Born Blind

The disciples assume he's blind because of some specific sin, but Jesus rejects such a simplistic approach and explains that there can be higher purposes: that God would be glorified as He works through Jesus to heal

God will be glorified, even in our suffering as we let him work. Sometimes the glory is through deliverance
Sometimes the glory is by our display of Christian character. God will ultimately be glorified as one day we have complete healing.

The man get healed as he obeys Jesus' instructions. For all of us, healing comes through obedience

The man's neighbours, and the Pharisees are like many people who want to ask the “How? ” questions but want to avoid the “Who?”

At the end of the chapter, Jesus seeks out the blind man so he can reveal his identity. Stepping into the light reveals who Jesus is: the Son of Man. Staying out of the light reveals our blindness

Are you blind? Can you see who Jesus is?

Click here to Listen to this sermon

It is also available as a Podcast. Search on iTunes for "Haywards Heath Evangelical" or by pasting directly this link:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/HaywardsHeathEvangelicalFreeChurch

Isaiah 61:10 to 62:12 Delighting in God

We can delight in God. It gives us great joy that we are made right with God by trusting in Christ.

Perhaps even more amazing is that God delights in us - in the same way that a young man delights in his new bride. This comes to life in Jesus as he loves the church and lays down his life for her. 

Finally in this text God promises complete security for his saved people. They will no longer be plundered by their enemies. There is a sense that this is true for Christians right away but still we wait for the new Jerusalem to be a complete experience for us.

In response to all God has done and will do we pray - fervently, constantly and with the primary goal that God would be glorified in His people

Listen here to Graham Nicholls preaching from Isaiah 61:10 - 62:12 on Sunday evening 20th March 2011

Where do you belong? John 8:31-59

In this passage in John's gospel, Jesus continues to challenge the Jews about their attitude to Him. He ends up saying something really shocking - they were not children of Abraham with God at their Father.

Where do you belong? If you hold to the teaching of Jesus you belong to God. If you reject Jesus you are on the side of the Devil.

Listen to Mark Ventham preaching from John 8:31-59 on Sunday morning 20th March 2011

Isaiah 61

Jesus is the one who fulfils these words. He can transform broken hearted, sad, imprisoned people to be free and happy.

This is something we delight in as we see it God restoring things in the church.

You can listen to a sermon about this text here.

Has the Bible been corrupted?

The Gutenberg Bible, the first printed bible

Sometimes our Muslim friends suggest that the Bible, and in particular the New Testament has been corrupted. Just to deal with the subject very briefly...

1.      There is no evidence that the NT has been corrupted from the original text. On the contrary there is substantial evidence that the words have been preserved – from the sheer number of very old copies available and the remarkable and material correspondence between them all.

2.      For Muslims it is crucial that they can prove that the Bible was corrupted because in the Qur'an Muslims are told to respect the Gospel revealed by Jesus Christ and read by Christians. So the only way to avoid reading and believing in the Jesus revealed in the New Testament is to say it has been corrupted. However, it seems that no-one, including Muhammad himself suggested this in the 7^th century. By this time there is no doubt that copies of the same Bible that we currently have, were in circulation. For example, Codex Sinaiticus is an almost complete NT that pre-dates Muhammad and is available to see in the British Library. Apparently, in the first four centuries after Muhammad, no Muslim theologian seriously contended that the Gospel texts were not authentic.

3.     We understand that there is no better evidence that the Qur’an has been preserved, but in the end this is not really an issue for Christians. The question is, what were the words of the Qur’an in the first place? Are they the sayings of a man or men, doing their best to call people away from idolatry and to codify their way of life, or was it the word of God? Muslims believe it to be the word of God but because it contradicts the Bible Christians believe it was the good intention of men in their culture using their understanding of the Bible; but it was not a revelation from God.

So Christians believe they must bring their Muslim friends back to Jesus – the ultimate revelation from God.

John 8:12-30 – Light of the world

THE ultimate question is who is Jesus? He was clearly historical. Even atheists believe that. But was he anyone special?

Is he the “I AM”

In John 8 some reject; some want to know more and some believe. Which are you?

Jesus says: I AM the Light of the world (v12-20)
These words come with the Background of Old Testament appearances of God and many texts describing God as the bringing light (Psalm 27:1; Psalm 36:9, Isaiah 50:10 Is 60:1; Zechariah 14)

Jesus brings light, meaning he brings revelation of God and leads us to eternal life in the presence of God. The people living in darkness want to argue about Jesus testimony. The people walking in the light just want to follow Jesus and as they do that they know God. Salvation is about knowing God (2 Cor 4:5,6)

We all need this light. Everyone in the world needs this light


You must believe I AM or you are lost in your sins (v21-24)

Jesus literally just says “believe that I AM”
I AM connects with the OT burning bush and prophecies such as Isaiah 40
Jesus “going away” refers to His death resurrection and ascension
The people wonder what Jesus means, because their thinking is narrow and worldly 

If we search for our own saviour we will be disappointed. We are lost without Jesus
Without believing Jesus is God's Son and our Saviour we will die without having our sins forgiven.

At the Cross You will know I AM
Jesus patiently repeats that all along he has claimed to be sent from the Father. All those who humbly and sincerely look at Jesus perfectly obeying His Father on the Cross, see God revealed in glory. One day everyone will acknowledge Jesus was lifted up on the Cross for the glory of God and now is in heaven glorified and with all authority

Some reject: they need to turn to the light or they will die in their sins.
Some ask for more information: they need look to the Cross and see God there.
Some believe: rejoice that the great I AM leads them to eternal life and they follow him.

Click here to Listen to this sermon

It is also available as a Podcast. Search on iTunes for "Haywards Heath Evangelical" or by pasting directly this link
http://feeds.feedburner.com/HaywardsHeathEvangelicalFreeChurch

Mid Sussex Times 3rd March 2011

The Dawkins Delusion

The great divider John 7:25-52

The people listening to Jesus in John 7 were divided. These were some of the comments they made:

He is a good man

He is leading the people astray

He has a demon

When the Christ appears will he do more signs that this man has done?

Where does he intend to go that we will not find him?
This really is the prophet 

Or perhaps the most perceptive of all - "no-one ever spoke like this man"

What do you think about Jesus?

Click here to Listen to this sermon

The blessing of joyful service (Isaiah 58:1-14)

Here's the link for the sermon which is also available as a podcast
Isaiah 58:1 to 14

Christian Men - do you need to read this?

Captured by a better vision - Tim Chester : Inter-Varsity Press

Useful article about an abortion study

RCOG Smoke and Mirrors (Article by Nadine Dorries MP)

John 7:1-24 Right Judgements

Naturally, we are hostile to God. Jesus explains that left to ourselves we are not neutral when it comes to deciding about God which really means deciding about Jesus Christ.

We don't really have an open mind. We are deeply committed to a life of resisting the will of God.

The way to know the truth is to end our rebellion and submit to God who speaks to us in Jesus.

To listen to this sermon in the John series click here

Reaching the Community with Church Websites

http://www.internetevangelismday.com/docs/churchsite_dissertation.pdf

The Bible versus Qur'an

Government plans to transform Marriage

Government plans to transform Marriage a “social engineering experiment” with profound consequences for society warns Christian Concern

Lively Jay Smith Debate!

John 6 - Safe and Secure

John 6 - Safe and Secure

The chapter begins with Jesus & his disciples crossing the lake, where Jesus feeds more than 5,000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish. The disciples then return across the lake and Jesus walks on the water to the boat which is struggling in the middle of the lake but with Jesus there it immediately lands on the shore. The people follow and then begins the dialogue which takes up most of John Chapter 6

2 well known miracles – great in themselves but purposely put there by John to connect with the words of Jesus that follow.

Jesus begins with two statements about himself:

1. I am the bread of life

He is the essential food for eternal life. We must come to Him and believe Him

2. I shall lose none that He has given me

There is a commitment from God the Father and God the Son that everyone who comes to Jesus is safe and secure.

For the Jews, and maybe for you, this raises questions and yesterday we looked at the 3 questions in chapter 6

1. How can he now say, I come down from heaven?

The Jews were unwilling to believe the teaching about Jesus’ supernatural origin and Jesus explains this is because coming to the Son for life is entirely dependent upon the Father’s drawing work. We need Spiritual illumination. We need the Father to draw people to Himself by His Word. We should pray that God would bring spiritual illumination to ourselves and those we tell the gospel to.

2. How can this man give us His flesh to eat?

Jesus explains that he must die to give them life – and they are scandalised. To feed on Jesus is to believe in Jesus. He gives us Life by His death. We are to approach his death like a starving man approaches a loaf of bread in the desert. Do you believe? Bread won’t do you any good unless you eat it!

3. This is a hard teaching – who can accept it?

It’s hard to accept Jesus’ supernatural origin and his death. It’s hard to accept that the way of the cross is right for Jesus and for you. Jesus criticises them for being unable to see His divine nature and divine mission. It is through his death He will be glorified.

It is the Spirit who gives life. Those who are given spiritual life say ““Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Can you say that?

To listen to sermons in the John series click here

John 5:31-47 Praise from God or being popular with our peers

God the Father testifies about His Son. He does this through John the Baptist, by the signs and wonders and in all the scriptures (the Old Testament).

Meanwhile the Jewish leaders were ignoring the testimony of God and preferring to get praised by their colleagues. They refuse to come to Jesus and have eternal life.

Who do you want praise from, God or men?

To listen to sermons in the John series click here

Whose right to live as they choose takes precedence?

Comments please
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12275094

Britain's Banks too big to save

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00xwsl5/Britains_Banks_Too_Big_to_Save/

In the first five minutes they interview a businessman who shows clear love for his employees as he is forced to lay off some in order to keep his company a float; describes the way the banks operate as conceived in sin.

Do you think the banking system is inherently evil?


Thanks to John R for pointing this one out

John 5 1-24 Father and Son

The Healing (John 5:1-15)
 Jesus meets a man who has been crippled for 38 years and heals him instantly.  Jewish law prohibited all work on the Sabbath, including carrying, so the Jews apparently ignore the healing and focus on law-breaking. The Jews don’t want to worship Jesus they want to blame him. Jesus doesn't get into a technical debate about Sabbath keeping but talks about something much more interesting - His relationship with God the Father.


Jesus is God: stand back in amazement (John 5:16-20)
God the Father works every day, so does Jesus, His son.  The Jews realise He is claiming to be God and want to kill him.  Jesus relationship with God the Father is like a loving father who trains his son and a devoted son who watches and learns from his father.

Jesus is the life giver: believe and change (John 5:21, 25,26)

 Jesus transforms this man’s life. His voice can raise the spiritually dead.  The way to obtain new life is by hearing the word of Jesus and believing (like the Samaritans and the ruler in chapter 4).

Jesus is the Judge: honour him (John 5:22,23; 27-30)

Jesus is the Son of Man who has all authority to judge

His judgment will be just, but we need to honour him now or we will be condemned


To listen to sermons in the John series click here

Mark 10:45 Verse of the year 2011

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

This was our verse for 2011

Jesus talks to His disciples. They are trying to get the best seats one day in the future and arguing over who is the greatest. He tells them that if they want to be really great in His kingdom they must learn to serve.

Jesus himself is the perfect model of service

Jesus Serves He serves throughout His life.
He serves in His sacrificial death paying the price for our sin.

We must serve Serve whoever needs it – whether you think they deserve it or not!
Serve sacrificially
Make service your big ambition - your goal for 2011

What could the church look like with all of us serving like that?

To listen to the sermon about this verse click here

John 4:43-54 Jesus and the royal official

Is the word of Jesus enough for you?

The woman at the well and the other people of Samaria received Jesus with enthusiasm – accepting him as Messiah and Saviour of the world. In contrast when Jesus arrived in Galilee among his own people – they were only interested in seeing him perform miracles.

But a royal official whose son was near to death heard that Jesus had arrived. So he made the difficult journey from Capernaum to ask Jesus to come and heal his son.

Jesus tested the man’s faith by suggesting that he just wanted to see a miracle. Undeterred the man repeated his request that Jesus come and heal his son.

Jesus – with words which showed his supreme authority – released the man with the words “You may go” and “Your son will live”.

The man took Jesus at his word and returned home. On the way, the man’s servants met him to tell him that his son had recovered. When they compared notes – they found that the boy had recovered at the precise time that Jesus had spoken and that the healing had been immediate. So the man’s faith was confirmed.

But Jesus gave him much more than he asked for. When the rest of the family heard how the powerful words of Jesus had brought healing to the boy they also believed. The anguish they had all experienced had been used to bring about their eternal good.

The apostle John wrote this gospel so that we might all believe that Jesus is the Christ – the Son of God and that by believing – we might have eternal life through him.

Will you take Jesus at His word?

To listen to sermons in the John series click here