Church notes - 11th October
11th October
Ephesians 4:20 - 5:4
Purpose
To be in a relationship with the Lord that is growing day by day.
Dickens: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
1859:
- Charles Spurgeon 25
- Tudor Taylor - 47
- Darwin On the Origin of Species published
- John Stuart Mill, 53
Secularism and and Materialism were growing
A revival in Ireland - 'The Great Awakening'
1 Peter 2:2
Philippians 2:#
We should be identifiable as Christians
vs 22
Take off the old behaviours and put on the new.
1) Don't tell lies, tell the truth
Falsehood undermines fellowship.
2) Don't loose your temper, deal with anger in a healthy way.
Repressing it isn't the answer, but it is also a time when sin can take place. Deal with it.
3) Do not steal - work and give
vs 28
4) Don't use your mouth for evil - use it for good
Unwholesome talk hurts the listener
Speak according to the needs of the listeners, build them up.
5) Don't be unkind or bitter - Be kind, loving and forgiving
6) Don't joke about sex - rather give thanks for it.
vs 3 - 4
Sex is God's gift. Thank God for it.
We need to Glorify Him, so the world can recognise that we're different
Change comes after repentence.