Monthly Archives: November 2009

Wispa Gold and the gospel

Have you ever thought about what you will be doing at each stage of your life? Our youth did just that last week. We gave the youth an A1 sheet of paper with columns for 16, 21, 30, 45, 60, … Continue reading

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10 ways in which God in Christ is a God of love #1

Here’s abridged extracts from Ebenezer Erskine’s 10 point sermon on 10 ways in which God in Christ is a God of love: 1. GOD in Christ is a reconciled God, a God of peace, that has received the atonement : … Continue reading

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Holy Trinity mission statement goes live

We completed the process of discerning God’s will and purpose for Holy Trinity church last night at church council.  This process began in September and involved the PCC and congregation in thinking about the sentence: “Holy Trinity church exists to…” … Continue reading

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What are your 3 Rs?

On the way to school this morning, my eldest Son, aka the Joker, asked “dad, what are your 3 Rs?” I didn’t want to say “reading, writing and arithmetic” so I said: Read the bible every day Run the race … Continue reading

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Gang rape and the need to cry for mercy

In Judges 19 a young woman is raped and murdered by a gang of sex craved men.  There is something missing in the event.  Throughout the book a pattern of behaviour is repeated: the people forget God they fall into … Continue reading

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Gang rape and the moral bankruptcy of secular society

In yesterday’s post I showed how Judges chapter 19 teaches us not to trust our human nature to do the right thing.  When everyone does what seems right in their own eyes, society melts down.  Some people are good but … Continue reading

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Gang rape and murder of man’s girlfriend

The seventh book of the bible, Judges, ends with a harrowing account of the gang rape and murder of a man’s girlfriend. The morning after the attack, the girl’s lover found her dead on a doorstep. In his dismay he … Continue reading

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From the vicarage Nov 2009

From the vicarage November 2009 Dear All One of the great heroes of modern British history is Scott of the Antarctic. His goal to be the first man in the world to stand on the south pole inspired millions. His … Continue reading

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Samson and paedobaptism

I’ve preached two series on Samson in the last 12 months, at two different churches. It has occurred to me this week that Samson’s life is a good model for paedobaptism: God made a Nazirite vow (see Numbers ch6) with … Continue reading

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Has John Piper ever read Ebenezer Erskine?

I’m really interested to know if John Piper has ever read any works by the 18th century Scottish preacher Ebenezer Erskine. There’s striking similarity in the language, tone and theology of Ebenezer Erskine’s sermon on the first commandment, “Thou shalt … Continue reading

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