One of the most difficult things we have had to deal with over the last year is the loss of close contact with others.
We will be part of the healing process to the extent that we offer space, time and food to others.
Hospitality matters! But we will always feel awkward if we haven’t come to terms with the fact that Jesus asks to eat with us first – in all our mess and confusion.
If you’re never going to see someone again, you think hard about what to say. You say what matters, and you might say it with tears.
Paul speaks to a group of leaders and through them to the church and reminds them of what is really important – both then and now.
And he says it with tears.
When you’re in a minority and surrounded by things that you think just aren’t right, how do you react?
Paul’s time in Athens was uneasy. He felt deeply troubled by all the signs and symbols of false gods, but he chose not to attack, but with brilliant wisdom offered anyone who would hear a new way of seeing the world.
His experience marks out a path for us to follow – in our own places, in our time, with all we face.
Paul and Silas continue on the mission to Philippi, but very soon life becomes increasingly difficult.
What can we learn from their story, about continuing in missional activity, when life gets difficult?
A mixed race man, a group unsure why their plans had been disrupted, a meeting with a woman outside a city.
Luke paints a series of small portraits of people making sense of life as God opens up something that none of them could have anticipated.
God does lead us, but sometimes we need to train ourselves to make sense of what He is opening up for us…
With each step forward that the mission took, it feels as though there were forces pushing back. Sometimes the opposition was obvious, things were threatened because of internal relationships. Paul and Barnabas had a massive, full on shouting row about a young man, John Mark who had left them. Barnabas wanted to give him a second chance, Paul thought that would be unwise.
How do we make sense of the moments where we know we have really messed up and need to be given another chance? How do we know when to give people a chance?
Acts 15 is the story of the early church’s challenge.
Their challenge is not ours, but it does shed light on how we might be able to learn from them so that we can face our challenges well…
Every breakthrough costs you something. Every situation that changes happens because someone has paid a price. It costs time, strength, emotions investment, money. Nothing is changed without the threat of loss…
We need security and we need leaders that we can trust. Especially when we face crises. Without these where do we turn?
People protest, they break laws, or simply put their heads down and do their best. But in the meantime, community crumbles.
We need more…
God wants us to be led by His Spirit – but it doesn’t mean you can’t make logical plans.
God wants you to be good news – but it doesn’t mean that you won’t find yourself in moments of confrontation…
Salford Elim Church St. James Hope 3 Vicarage Close Salford M6 8EJ
info@salfordelimchurch.org
07771 558 058
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Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance
Registered Charity 251549 (England & Wales) SC037754 (Scotland)
