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Godly Wisdom

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Godly wisdom

1 Kings 10: 1- 13. Acts 13: 1 – 13. John 6: 24 – 35.  RSV Bible

Have you had one of those conversations where you hear about a place where there is a movement of the Holy Spirit going on? The last one that I heard of was at ‘The Victory’ Church in Newport, Wales. Godly wisdom always checks out the information. I went on line to investigate. A number of people had been healed and hundreds of people were going to substantiate what they had heard.

The Queen of Sheba had heard of the Godly wisdom of Solomon she travelled from East Yemen to Jerusalem to find out first hand if the reports were true.

The Queen sought some answers to hard questions, the Jewish Midrash, suggests that these questions were riddles, but maybe they were the problems she faced, the things that would impact her rule over her kingdom.

We read that Queen Sheba noted Solomon’s wise administration of his kingdom, the way he structured his governing body of officials, their seating and dress code. The people were happy in their day jobs; she discerned they respected his leadership. She was pleased with the outcome of her visit; they exchanged gifts from their abundance of wealth: gold, precious jewels, and goods.

Our nation needs Godly wisdom at this present time. The outcome of the complexities of the ‘Brexit’ negotiations will I pray be fair and just.

Jesus remarked on the Queen of Sheba’s visit, she travelled far in order to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Significantly he said, ‘Someone greater than Solomon was here.’ Luke 11: 31

People in Jesus’ day flocked to hear his words and to see the miracles and healing.

In John’s gospel we read that Jesus questioned the spiritual integrity of the people as they were seeking signs from him.

The late Derek Prince said about Jesus, “In the Old Testament you will find prophets who healed and raised the dead, but Jesus was different he cast out demons, he did what no one else had previously done and so many wanted to see this new sensational ministry. He had a great following” YouTube Derek Prince “Spiritual Warfare’

Word of wisdom

“When you get tangled up in our own problems, be still, God wants us to be still, so He can untangle the knot.” Author unknown.

In Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas have been sent out to visit the synagogues with the good news proclaiming the resurrection and that Jesus was the Christ. On the island of Cyprus Paul and Barnabas were asked by the proconsul Serguis Paulus to visit him and share with him their message. At the meeting another man was present Jewish magician Bar Jesus and Paul discerned that he opposed their message, and tried to stop the proconsul from turning to faith. Paul responded and directed his words to disarm the spirit of the man. He found himself unable to see for a period of time. The proconsul when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Jesus’ word of wisdom

Jesus’ wisdom being greater than Solomon’s, for example: Jesus in conversation in the synagogue at Capernaum said, “Do not labour for food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life which the Son of man will give you; for on him has God set his seal.”

What kind of food perishes: the words coming from religions that promise eternal life through the sayings and teaching coming from idol worship, atheists are people who deny the existence of God and humanists who have their own ideals of a pinnacle of self -expression, a self- actualised state, they can fix everything themselves.

The food that lasts for eternity

“The food that endures to eternal life which the Son of man will give you”.

This ‘Food’ he refers to as the bread coming from God and not from Moses.

When Jesus said that he was the bread coming from heaven, the people listening took his words literally, when he said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6: 51 He continued saying that they should eat his flesh and drink his blood was against all of the laws relating to food, ‘as food was spiritually part of them,’ as a result: some were appalled as they kept Kosher laws especially not eating the blood. So even some of Jesus’ followers couldn’t accept these words and didn’t follow him anymore. John 6: 52, 66

‘Spiritually part of them’  Paul wrote in his letter to the Roman church said that the law was holy and spiritual and we can understand this when Jesus fulfilled the law in himself. As a result where the law couldn’t change our nature, but through faith and grace his death and resurrection,  his indwelling spirit is in every Christian, the spirit of the law is written in the heart. Romans 2 29. 7: 12, 14. 8:10, 11. Hebrews 8: 10-12.

Jesus fulfilled the law: the bread of ‘Presence’ the Shrewbread that was baked for the priests to eat in the temple. Leviticus 24: 5-9.

Mark recorded hearing Jesus say that wasn’t what they ate that made them unclean in God’s eyes, it was what came from the heart, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. These are what defile a person. Thus he declared all food clean.’” Mark 7: 14-23.

God’s wisdom to Peter in the vision in Acts 10  

“And there came a voice to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”     
Soon after Pentecost the apostle Peter was staying at Simon the tanner’s house at Joppa. While Simon and Peter were preparing the evening meal, Peter had a vision, he saw the heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

We read that Peter was perplexed as to what the vision might mean, while he was pondering the vision, three men called at the house asking for Peter. The Holy Spirit had spoken to Peter (in his inner ear), to go with these men. They told Peter that Cornelius a Centurion had seen a vision of an angel who directed him to send for Peter. Peter went with the three men to the home of Cornelius. On their arrival he remembered the words in the vision, “God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean,” he told all who had gathered there about Jesus, as he was telling them the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. Peter’s companions were amazed that Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit.

Following on we read, “Peter went up to Jerusalem and the circumcision party criticised him, saying, “Why did you go to the uncircumcised men and eat with them?” Peter began and explained to them in order.” When they heard this they were silenced, and they glorified God . . . “ Acts 11: 2, 3, 18.

Peter had discerned that the Gentiles he met had fulfilled the vision. Also we discern that Peter had been given the keys of the kingdom; here he used the second key to open the door of the kingdom to the Gentile, the other nation. At Pentecost with the first key he opened the kingdom to the Jewish nation.

Paul wrote about the law being written in the hearts of Gentiles, “When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law unto themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience bears witness on their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them”. Romans 14, 15.

God’s wisdom is hard to understand.

From my own experience when God gave me a word to start a pottery business for the church, my immediate reaction, ‘the church doesn’t have businesses.’ I asked two ladies to pray with me from my church and soon afterwards I found myself going to evening class on pottery at the local college. The end result was that I bought ready glazed china mugs and decorated them with floral transfers and Bible verses. I stepped out in faith and over ten years ‘The Decade of Evangelism,’ I worked voluntary full time any profits went to my church and local charities. The pottery was a success with 400 going into Londonderry Northern Ireland during 1994 when the peace process was going on.

God has set his seal of approval on his plan of salvation through His Son Jesus 

Jesus saying “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and me in him,” he was referring to the partaking of his sacrifice becoming one with him laying down his life for sin and the food laws.

Having been sealed with his atoning sacrifice by Jesus the bread that came from heaven sustains human life, through his death and resurrection.

Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians;

22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1: 22-24

At the Holy Communion the bread and the wine are symbols of Jesus’ sacrifice of his body and blood; it’s in the wisdom of God that we are reminded of God’s saving grace in the communion. 

Jesus pointed to his words as being living bread.
Jesus went on to say, “It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is no avail; (profits nothing) the words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.” John 6: 63.

The joy of giving and receiving the word of God spoken in love acted on by the Holy Spirit is the best thing ever, to see a person’s whole life change, their demeanour change, their manner, attitude and appearance, and conversation; it’s like a flower opening and their fragrance filling the air.

Balm of Gilead, bread and wine, faith, Grace, Jesus the Physician, prayer, Prayer Chain, praying hands

The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the Physician

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The Physician – A title of the Messiah

The Physician, the Balm of Gilead.
Jeremiah wrote of God grieving for the spiritual health of Israel and he pointed to the Messiah, the Physician who would restore the nation’s health.

God speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, “My grief is beyond healing, my heart is sick within me. “Hark the cry of the daughter of my people from the length and breadth of the land: “Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” “Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with their foreign idols?” “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my people not been restored?” Jeremiah 8: 18-22

Jesus the Messiah and Physician was sent by God to restore the health of the nation. When Jesus stood and read from the book of the prophet Isaiah he quoted the words of healing: to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty those who were oppressed and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Jesus’ most important healing, the grieving heart of his Father God over his people, Israel.
Jesus restored the whole person for instance: the lady who was unclean in the eyes of the law because of her issue of blood. When she touched the hem of Jesus garment she was physically healed, which restored her under law. Luke 8: 43-48
The leper who came to Jesus for his healing, “If you will you can make me clean,” Jesus moved with pity, stretched out his hand and touched him, and said, “I will; be clean.” The man was healed. Jesus then told him to go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for his cleansing as it was the custom under the Laws of Moses. Mark 1: 40-45 He was healed and restored under the law of Moses.

The Messiah’s Secret
Afterwards Jesus sternly told the man who had been healed of leprosy not to tell any one about his healing and that he should go and be examined by the priest to show that he was clean, free from leprosy and make his offering according to the law.
Jesus did not want him to publicise his healing. He wanted to keep his identity of being the Messiah a secret because he had to die and be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven before he could return with the holy angels and be their Leader and Saviour.
“Jesus said, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 8:38. 9:1.

The Balm of Gilead
The soothing, comforting ointment of our Lord God, his words of forgiveness and hope. His healing touch bringing release from fear, freedom, love, joy and peace. The Holy Spirit opening the eyes of our understanding to know the living God, and giving us assurance of his sovereign rule over the entire universe.
In Gilead there was a tree that was well known for its healing properties, Balsam tree. The resin from the tree was used as an ointment. It is recorded in Genesis 37: 25, 28. “The Ishmaelite Midianite Traders coming down from Gilead with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to Egypt.” They used these to barter with the Egyptians. This tree is no longer is found in Gilead. Unger’s Dictionary page 1134

As part of healing and wholeness the Lord has given to the church gifts of healing.

In the year 2,000 Rev Mark Pearson came and spent a weekend teaching the churches on the Lord’s healing ministry. I bought his book at the time and from it and on the weekend he stated four ways in which the Lord uses to heal people. (I’ve only taken the headings and included the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law.)

1/ Skill and Science.
Rev Mark Pearson tells us that the Lord uses doctors and surgeons using their skill and knowledge. The scientist that produces medicine and medical implants and appliances. The nursing profession and carers are all used to bring healing to our bodies.
Mark reminded us that Paul suggested to Timothy that he should take a little wine for his stomach problem. Also Dr Luke accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys attending to his medical problem. This shows us clearly that the Lord intends to use both the skill of doctors, surgeons and science for our well being.
Combine the ministry of Skill and Science with prayer and the sick person is upheld, strengthened and at peace.

2/ Spiritual Gifts
Jesus spoke of himself as being the Physician in the house where many tax collectors and others who were regarded by the Pharisees as sinners. A Pharisee observed, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard what he said and replied, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Matthew 9: 10-13.
Jesus fulfilled Jeremiah’s plea the physician, the Christ bringing healing to the nation.
Even though there was opposition to his ministry of healing we read that Jesus healed all those who came to him. The man with the withered hand had just been healed in the synagogue, “But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him. Jesus aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all.” Matthew 12: 14, 15.
Matthew wrote that at Nazareth they took offence at him, and as a result he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Luke 4: 23. Matthew 13: 57, 58.
Simon Peter’s mother–in-law was healed at Capernaum.
Mark 1: 29-31.
The healing ministry continues today I myself have been healed see blog “The Messiah’s Secret – The Healing Ministry of Jesus.”

Jesus with his disciples left the synagogue at Capernaum and went to the family home of Andrew and Simon Peter. Simon’s mother-in-law lay poorly with a high fever. Jesus was informed and immediately he went into the room to her, where he stood over her and rebuked the fever and then taking her by her hand, he lifted her up, finding that she was healed of the fever. Without any delay she helped serve the meal. Mark 1: 29-31. Luke 4: 38, 39. Matthew 8:14-17
The faith of Andrew and Simon brought his mother-in-law’s need to the attention of Jesus. He responded in love to her need. I think the lady having a high fever would not perhaps be aware of what was going on, so her healing did not depend on her faith.

Faith.
Faith means to believe in some one or something e.g. If we’re feeling ill we go to the doctor, we have faith in the doctor that he will prescribes some medicine that we believe or have faith that it will make us better.
It takes the same kind of faith to believe that the Lord will heal us through his promises in his word.
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21: 22.
“And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to them that believe.” Mark 9: 23
“What so ever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name I will do it.” John 14: 13, 14.
“And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:48

Mark refered to the healing gifts listed in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Church should be viewed like a sandwich: Chapter 12 The gifts are used when there is a need. Chapter 13 without love they are administered from the position of what I do, rather than being motivated by compassion. Chapter 14 Faith reaches out in the Lord’s love to comfort and pray for healing and wholeness.
Jesus rebuked the fever, he addressed and named the cause praying for her release from it.
When we pray for someone in a similar situation it is good to follow the pattern that Jesus has given to us in the gospel.
Quietly praying with the authority that he has given to us in his name and in his words of scripture. The power is not in the rebuke it is in the Word.
Dear Lord, we bring before you our sister or brother who is dear to you and us, just as you touched the hand of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and restored her to health we pray for your healing touch as we rebuke and release our sister or brother from —-in your precious name. Amen

Church Services
When a person is ordained for the priesthood, they are anointed with oil for the ministry of the sacraments.
Two sacraments: Holy Communion and Baptism. (Church of England Articles of Religion)
Looking briefly at one of these sacraments Holy Communion.

Mark Pearson calls the sacraments vehicles by which God uses to bring healing and wholeness to our lives.
At the Communion the tokens the bread (body) and the wine (blood) representing Jesus’ victory over all sickness and disease.
The Communion service is regarded by many as being a healing service; the Common Prayer Book states that as we receive the bread and the wine ‘we enter into all the benefits of his passion,’ which are many: forgiveness, comfort, strength, support, endurance, peace, healing in various ways and many more.

In Matthew’s account of Jesus healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law he adds the words from Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew linked this prophecy after Jesus had fulfilled it. Matthew knew that the cross is where Jesus took(bore) upon himself our broken bodies in his suffering and death to bring us healing and wholeness.
On the evening of the Day of his resurrection the disciples touched Jesus’ risen body where the marks of the nails and the Centurion’s sword pierced his heart in his side. Matthew must have also realised that in Jesus’ risen body he was free from all infirmities placed upon him. His risen body was free from corruption.

Jesus touched the hand of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and then he lifted her up by her hand.
The healing touch of Jesus.
Jesus heals our broken bodies and restores us to health and wholeness even when we knowingly eat the wrong foods which can be detrimental to our well being.
Today a lot of illness is a result of eating food that is not good for us because it’s high in fat and sugar. But it is these foods that are pleasant to eat; at least they are for me. I’m reminded of Paul’s words to the Roman church, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Romans 7: 15
Ongoing Wholeness.
The Holy Spirit enables us to discern what we eat and convicting us when we are eating too much fatty and a sugary food that is not good for us. We can be also convicted to change our habits; the need to take regular exercise and having regular meals. The Lord will also prompt us with the scriptures concerning these things. I find it works to pray for the Lords help when I’m struggling to avoid the things that are detrimental to my health.
Jesus died on the cross and God raised him from the dead overcoming all the things that are detrimental to our life.
Whatever our circumstances we can look to Jesus to continue to make us whole.

4/ Prayers of all Christians

The next day Jesus got up very early to spend time in prayer with his Father God. Simon Peter and others who were with him pursued him, and they found him.
To begin the day with a time spent in prayer with the Lord prepares us for the day before us. I believe that Jesus is waiting, wanting to hear from us and we don’t have to search for him. We should, if we can set aside time in a quiet place, were we can talk to our Lord God about the things that are on our heart. Some Christians use lists so they don’t forget to pray for the people and their needs, that are precious to them.
At the end of each day we rejoice in all things and recollect were our prayers have been answered and for the things still to do.

Mark writes: “The church ministers healing co-corporately through members love for one another.” “Christian Healing” by Mark A Pearson Published by Chosen Books a division of Baker Book Company. Grand Rapids.
Church service intercessions embrace of the whole worshipping body praying for the world poverty, Queen and country, mission, ministers of the church, community, environment etc.

At St. Mary’s we have a small prayer group who pray for the sick and housebound members of our church. The Lord has ministered through those prayers; we have seen a decline of sickness in our church.
Most churches have a ‘Prayer Chain’ were a number of Christians are linked through email or phone praying for not only church members but anyone who asks to be put on the chain.
We have opportunities to attend healing services in a number of churches in the Rossendale Valley. The Diocese of Manchester holds Healing Quiet Mornings and Diocesan Healing Days.

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The Messiah Secret – The Imperishable Seed

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The Messiah Secret – The Imperishable Seed
(An imperishable seed cannot die again, it lives forever)

Sunday 31May 2015 Evening Service ‘The Cross’ members of the congregation spoke for four minutes on the concept of faith with each item and the scripture verse attached to it. I enjoyed listening to each one, and the theme emerged ‘prayer’ the Holy Spirit enforcing talking to the Lord in prayer.
Items: The Bride, the Russian Dolls (Trinity) Promise to pay the bearer £5, chalice, Bible, card with peace on it, Praying hands, Engagement ring, String of pearls and Prison Week card.

One of a Series of Talks by Dorothy Newton on ‘The Cross’ covering concepts of faith stemming from the cross.
Using the Revised Standard Version (RSV) Bible.

Visual Aids are used in this talk.
A Cross is made of textile material large enough to accommodate items on the following list. I used dried wheat straw, a goblet to represent a chalice and a paper crown.
Letter
Chalice and bread (white or brown bread)
Wheat
Water (bottle)
Bible (small)
Twenty pound note.(£5 or £10)
Engagement ring. (in a box if possible)
Crown
These are placed inside the cross.
Each one is pulled out in turn and its significance explained.
The verses of scripture can be handed out and read at the appropriate time.

Cross ( Pointing to the material cross)
The cross is a symbol of the Christian Faith. It’s a symbol of suffering, hope and love.

Letter (Taking the letter from inside the cross)

Life is often described as a journey and at some point we may be challenged to take a step of faith in the direction of Jesus.
Faith means to believe in some one or something e.g. If we’re feeling ill we go to the doctor, we have faith in the doctor that he will prescribes some medicine that we believe or have faith that it will make us better.
It’s also like sending a letter, we put on the address
pay the price of a stamp required and stick it on
and post it in faith, believing that it will reach its destination. It may be that we expect a reply and sure enough in due course it arrives.
Any body who takes a step of faith and believes that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died on a cross to pay the cost of our sin against a holy God will receive eternal life.
Jesus’ words recorded by John the disciple in his gospel Chapter 3: 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

The Chalice and the Bread (Taken from within the cross)

Jesus gave meaning to his death on the cross when he said these words below at the last supper at Jerusalem.
The Chalice
The Chalice holds the wine representing the blood of Jesus, the blood of the new covenant.
”Jesus gave thanks and said,’ Drink this all of you for this is my blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.’ ”
Matthew 26: 27

The Bread
The bread is representing Jesus’ body.
‘Jesus took the bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ‘Luke 22: 19
By laying down his life Jesus ended the covenant between God and Moses.
In the letter to the Hebrews Chapter 8: 13“In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”
The writer of Hebrews was referring to the covenant between God and Moses. The Laws God had given to Moses on Mount Sinai became obsolete when Jesus made the final sacrifice for sin on the cross.
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 93
“At the last supper Jesus introduced the New Covenant through his body and blood, his life laid down for the final atonement, for sins against a Holy God. When a Jew made a sacrificial offering for sin, an offering of an animal, fowl or meal, was brought to the temple, were the person would place their hand on to the head of the animal to be sacrificed. This offering would be accepted to make atonement, reconciliation, and pardon. The meaning of the word atonement is ‘to cover.’ The transfer of guilt to the sacrifice, brought forgiveness to the offender. The sacrifice was regarded as a person’s substitute for breaking the Laws of Moses. Today a person coming to God asking for forgiveness transfers their sin to Jesus, his life laid down, the offering of his life sacrificed for our sin to make reconciliation with God our Father for us. Jesus took upon himself the sins of the whole world.”
The New Covenant was then established in Jesus for all the people of the world. It is through repentance, faith and grace we enter into the New Covenant. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our need to get right with God. It’s then as we come in faith and repentance, saying sorry to God and accepting Jesus’ offering that he made on our behalf for sin. We receive forgiveness for all wrongdoing, all that separates us from our heavenly Father. There is nothing so terrible that God cannot forgive.
Some times our memories are difficult to deal with, perhaps it’s were we need to forgive as well as receiving forgiveness. It might help to talk things over in confidence with a Christian friend and ask them to pray with you about your concerns or alternatively in prayer simply talk to God as you would to a friend.
After taking that step of faith we enter into the New Covenant, God’s nature becomes our nature written in our hearts. We feel how God feels about things like; deceit, immorality, the need to feed the starving or help the poor.

The Wheat (Taking the wheat from within the cross)

Jesus’ disciple John wrote in Chapter 12: 23,24
“ Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 35
“One of the secrets hidden in Jesus’ parable of the Sower had its fulfilment after the resurrection of Jesus. The seed, Jesus had to die and become the first fruits of the resurrection. One of the amazing facts of life is that a seed has to die before it can start to grow and in the fullness of time the plant produces many seeds after its own kind.”
Jesus died on the cross to produce the seeds of his eternal life. It was after Jesus’ ascension there at Pentecost when Jesus was for the first time proclaimed by his followers that he was the Messiah. These words about Jesus are the seeds containing eternal life.
Jesus’ disciple Peter wrote in his first letter Chapter 1:23 “You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God.”
The Holy Spirit bears witness, showing us within our being, our mind and conscience of a change that has taken place through receiving into our heart the words that tell us of what Jesus has done for us on the cross and in his resurrection. These words are the imperishable seeds of faith that germinate within us transforming our heart, the way we think, and our way of life, we become ‘Christ-like’, a Christian.
Contained in the seed is the complete makeup of a wheat plant, its colour, height etc.
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 145. “The seed of faith sown in the heart is complete in itself, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It contains the potential to grow to its fullness.”

The Bottle of Water (Taken from within the cross)

Water represents the Holy Spirit.
John the disciple records in Chapter 7: 37-39
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus
stood and proclaimed, ‘If any one thirst, let him come
to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the
scripture has said, Out of his heart shall flow rivers of
living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, which
those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet
the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not
yet glorified.”
The Holy Spirit convicts us of the truth concerning Jesus, that God raised Jesus from the dead by the power of his love. The Holy Spirit reveals the Love of God as he is the Spirit of God. God is love and he dwells within us through faith in Jesus. Our thirst is satisfied, as the Holy Spirit gives us guidance and empowers us working through the anointed natural gifts and the gifts that he has established within us. The use of these gifts are like the words of John 7 ’ rivers of living water flowing’ out of the Christian.

God is Love (short prayer by Dorothy Newton)
Blessed are you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You made the world in your love.
You redeemed the world by your love.
You sustain the world with your love.
May we ever abide in your love,
and give ourselves to you in love.
Blessed are you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The Bible (Taken from within the cross)

The Bible is a book that gives us the revelation of our God and creator through the lives of God’s chosen people, Abraham and his descendants and through Jesus, his disciples and the church.
The Bible has words with meanings that have remained the same over thousands of years, words like; faith, righteousness, repentance, forgiveness, grace, love and many more.
Throughout the Old Testament, we read of the need to seek and get right with a Holy God. The law was brought in to make known to us, the way in which to live our lives that would please God. The law was impossible to keep so God promised to send a Saviour, the Christ. Christ means the Anointed.
Messiah has the same meaning, the Anointed One.

Prophesies relating to the Messiah have been fulfilled in Jesus. It’s in the New Testament in the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Letters and Revelations where we read about these prophesies being fulfilled in Jesus and have been witnessed by his followers.
In Acts of the Apostles Chapter 3: 17, 18. Peter speaking to the crowd in Solomon’s Portico said, “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.” The whole of Isaiah Chapter 53 prophesies the suffering of the Messiah. But God had hidden these prophesies from the Jewish leaders. It wasn’t in God’s plan that the leaders of Israel should accept Jesus as their Messiah before his death.
In the book Acts of the Apostles in Chapter 13 we read about Barnabas and Saul, who was later called Paul on their first ministry tour. When they reached Antioch in Pisidia they entered the synagogue. Paul proved to them and us that God had hidden the death of the Messiah from the leaders in Jerusalem.
“ For those who lived in Jerusalem and the rulers, because they did not recognise Jesus or understand prophesies given to the prophets, they fulfilled them by condemning him to death.” Acts Chapter 13: 27
Some believed and others rejected Paul and Barnabas’ message that Jesus was the Christ.
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 125
“Even after his (St. Paul) transformation when he preached that Jesus was the Son of God, the Christ, his message didn’t change the minds of the leaders of the Sanhedrin in accepting Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah.”
At some point in early church history the realisation that the Jewish leaders had acted in ignorance when they crucified their Messiah has been disregarded, maybe lost in the fact that the same leaders rejected the Apostles message at Pentecost. The Jewish race since have suffered as a result.
I went recently to listen to Singer Helen Shapiro she told us her life story. Helen is of Jewish decent born in London in 1946. At the age of six she went to a state school. She told us of how she remembered a child coming up to her in the playground and saying, ‘You killed Jesus.’ She was devastated and never forgot those hurtful words. In the late 1980’s she discovered Jesus as her Saviour and the Messiah promised to the Jews.

Twenty Pound Note (Taken from within the cross)

If you look closely at the note, printed on it are these words, ‘I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of twenty pounds.
Andrew Bailey,
Chief Cashier of the Bank of England.’
The twenty pound note has this promise that must be honoured by the Bank of England.
Jesus has given to us very great and precious promises these promises are honoured by God. We can trust in and act on the promises that the Lord Jesus has given to us.
The promise is to all comers who believe in Jesus as their Saviour.
“But to all who receive him, who believe in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” John 1:12
Some promises come with a condition that we are actively engaging with the word of God.
Jesus said “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
Some promises simply require faith,
”If you can! All things are possible to them that believe.” Mark 9:23
Some don’t depend on us at all
“I will never fail you, or forsake you.” Hebrews 13: 5


Engagement ring (Taken from within the cross)

In the Bible we understand that Israel is known as the wife of God. In the New Testament we understand that Jesus, the Son of God is betrothed, engaged to the church. The marriage between Jesus the lamb of God and his church, the bride, has yet to take place.
In Arnold G Fruchtenbaum book ‘The Footsteps of the
Messiah’ he writes, “To fully understand the background of the ‘Marriage of the Lamb’, one must first understand the background of the Jewish marriage system which was present in that day and which involved four distinct steps.
1. The father of the groom made the arrangements for the marriage and paid the bride –price. Sometimes it occurred when both children were infants, and at other times it was shortly before the marriage itself. Often the bride and groom did not even meet until their wedding day.
2. Fetching of the bride, this could have occurred weeks years or decades after the first step. The bridegroom would go to the home of the bride in order to bring her to his home.
3. The wedding ceremony, to which a few would be invited.
4. The marriage feast, would follow, and could last for as many as seven days. Many more people would be invited to the feast.”
Almost 2,000 years have passed since the first step, the betrothal, the dowry, representing Jesus’ death on the cross.
The next step is the fetching of the bride which is the church. Christians are to be in readiness for Jesus’ return when he comes to fetch the bride and to take her home to his Father’s house.

Crown (Taken from within the cross)

St John the disciple whilst he was living on the Island of Patmos wrote the book Revelation. He was given visions about the second coming of Jesus. He also indicates that those who keep their faith to the end of their life are given a victors’ crown. “Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Those who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God;”
Revelations Chapter 3: 10, 11.
In Arnold G Fruchtenbaum book ‘The Footsteps of the Messiah’ he writes, that there are two words in Greek meaning crown.
The crown of a sovereign – diadem
The other – stephanos which is the crown given to an overcomer, a victor, one who has won a race.
The race Paul talks about is the life long walk of a Christian. The race is won through our being faithful to what we believe in about Jesus, that he is our Saviour and Lord and that we love God and love one another. Then we may obtain the stephanos, the victors’ crown.


God is Love (Dorothy Newton January 1995)
Love participates in unity
bending the will to love another.
Love doesn’t hide itself or shy away.
Love takes hold of the prickly thorn
and caresses it.
Love picks up the bruised heart
and cherishes it and makes it it’s own.
Love gives off a radiance like the
heat of a summers’ day.
Love its fragrance enriches unity,
time stands still.
Love has a strength all of its own.
Love gives in to love.
Love is a safe place without any walls,
no barriers of fear and wars.
Love prepares to serve all human
weaknesses.
Love bears the pain of love,
rejection grieves the lover.
Love ceases not to love,
Love is God our Saviour.

On September 29th 2013 Evening Service
Readings chosen: Isaiah 53.  Colossians 2: 8-15

At our service of ‘Evening Prayer’ I used the cross with its’ contents: a candle, a towel, a Bible, Chalice and bread, engagement ring, a box containing 3 Russian dolls(one inside the other representing the Trinity), a picture of a door, two cards: Make me a channel of your peace and the other card ‘Peace’ with an inscription,  a £5 note with the promise from the Bank of England Cashier to pay £5 to the bearer, an angel, and a silver paper crown.

Each item had with it the appropriate scripture.

I invited some of the members of the congregation to chose from the items taken out from the cross and to say a few words on it, this replaced the Sermon by one person. I found that it worked really well and we were blessed by each other in what was said.