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Who is God? by Gareth Gadd

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We recently completed 1 and 2 Peter in our Friday morning Bible study group. These short epistles were written at the end of the apostle Peter’s life and they condensed his thoughts down to what he felt were the most important things to know. They are packed full of good teaching, but I’d like to pick one verse as an embarkation point on what might prove to be a long journey…

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1Peter 3:15 KJV

The word “answer” is translated here from a Koine Greek word ἀπολογία (pronounced apologia) which is where we get the word apologetics: i.e. a reasoned statement or argument (it does not mean to apologise! Sorry). Have you sanctified The Lord in your heart? Can you give a straight explanation for the hope that is within you, and the follow up questions? The key verse being the succinct Gospel found in 1 Corintians:

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15 3-4 KJV

So Christ died for our sins. “Christ” means “son of God” (the son of the “Lord God” in the first scripture above – more about Christ will follow in later posts).

So who is the Lord God? It may surprise you that God is not introduced in the Bible.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 KJV

The Bible is full of genealogies but God doesn’t have one. The Old Testament does not build up to the opening verse of the Bible with an explanation of how, why, when or who God is. He just is.

The existence of God is not testable either by proof or disproof, but the big questions in life are more understandable if God exists. Many can argue the existence of God with their head, or intellect, but the key issue is with the heart.

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Psalm 14:1 KJV

Within the Bible there are many ways in which we can explain God:

1. Cosmological (from κόσμον = cosmon, “world”). The only sufficient cause for everything we can see is God (Psalm 19:1)

2. Teleological (from τέλος = telos, “purpose”) not only did God make all that we can see but He designed it (Romans 1:18-20). Not only did God create and design the entire universe but He gives it purpose.

3. Anthropological (from ἄνθρωπος = anthropos, “man”). Since man is moral and has intellect, he must have a maker who is moral and intelligent (Acts 17:29). Man’s moral nature argues for an existence of his maker, God. It is curious that our planet is in such a position in our solar system and galaxy that enable mankind to exist.

4. Ontological (from ὄν = on “being). Because man believes that a perfect being must exist. The Most Perfect Being must be God.

The Bible begins with God, but the Bible is not a textbook that is trying to prove His existence. The first proof must however be from God’s word itself:

“Thy word is truth” John 17:17 KJV

The above is very brief, but many of these answers to these types of questions are answered in the Thursday evening Bible group.

The greatest proof though, apart from scripture, for God’s existence is daily fellowship that any born-again person can have with God in prayer and it is encouraging that there is a real thirst in this church for both scripture and prayer.

God bless you.

Gareth Gadd

Adam Argyle explains a little bit more about the new 9pm Prayer Time

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Hi, I just wanted to expand a little bit in what I said on Sunday a couple of weeks ago about my journey and the 9pm Prayer Group.

The birth of 9pm Prayers What’sApp group started off with just a few of us praying for things on our heart like the church, Shelley, the Leadership team, the service or more personal things. We have now being praying for the future of the group as Lent has finished it has now been decided to open the group up to others as we are embarking on a “Month of Prayer” which we begin in May.

If you would like to join us there are 2 options, you can join us on the WhatsApp call at 9pm or there are guides in church from which will help you do it in own home. To access the What’sApp group there will be a QR code on the guide, all you need to do is scan the code using your camera on your phone and this should take you directly to the group, if this is not possible please contact either myself, Mandy or Krys and we can send you an invite.

Final thought, I have really felt a change of direction at MBC over the last 6 months, people being a lot more open and more unity, we now have 3 prayer initiatives, the Pastoral Team, 9pm Prayers and the Sunday Prayer Team. Prayer is crucial in a church and I believe we are now reaping the rewards. 

I’m not the most academic person and as I said on Sunday I lack confidence speaking out but God is teaching me, giving me encouragement through other people.

You would normally see me on the Tech Desk at the back of church or playing footie with the kids in the sports hall so to be speaking at the front of church is a massive leap of faith which I give thanks to God and your support. Amen

To view every day follow the link below. 

May Day launches MBC’s month of prayer – Moortown Baptist Church

How do you keep up with all the news from BMS World Mission?

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Keeping up with all the news from BMS World Mission could hardly be easier. You can go online to its excellent website,  you can follow them on Facebook and/or Twitter, sign up to receive its weekly email updates or as I do simply wait for it to drop through my letter box.  

The issue you see above is Issue 56 and besides its usual mag, Prayer Guide (May to September) and I suspect for the first time its 2023 Impact Report you also get the chance to say hello to Engage’s new Editor Laura Durrant. 

There is of course an even simpler way of keeping in touch with all that’s hapening at BMS World Mission, and that is by talking to one another. I don’t just mean seeking out our long standing BMS rep Roger Robson and demanding regular updates (that’s what all the stuff I’ve listed before are for). No I mean talking about BMS at Housegroups, maybe at Beacon or at any of the many other projects we run. You see BMS World Mission isn’t just something to be kept in a box until it takes its turn in our Mission slot calendar; it’s vibrant and active and what we must never forget it’s very much a part of MBC’s long history. 

PS I have only just realised there is also a QR Code magically printed  into the cover letter which is seeking your views on  how you find your supporter experience with BMS Home Mission. It seems like they have all bases covered and we have little excuse to ignore them! 

May Day launches MBC’s month of prayer

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Month of Prayer 1.

Month of Prayer 2

May Day – the 1st of May sees the start of MBC’s Month of Prayer. Above you will see 2 links from which you are able to download some material or simply read on screen.

We hope you find these helpful. Whether or not you use them at home privately or together via our newly setup WhatsApp group is a matter for you – we simply issue the invitation.

There’s also a QR Code you can scan with your camera phone to join the WhatsApp group.  

Shelley’s newsletter looks forward to an exciting few weeks

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Dear friends

Thanks so much for your support last week in the London marathon if you supported me. I felt your prayers and encouragement.

I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow as we get to the end of Luke’s gospel following Jesus’ post resurrection appearances.  This week we look at Luke 24:50-53 where Jesus goes to heaven.  You could say it was a real ‘wow’ moment but what does it mean to us? We will have some activities in a separate group for our younger members to explore the theme as well as the art area and ways of looking at the Ascension in different ways in the service.  We start at 11 in the building and on our youtube channel.

Youth meet 7-8pm in the building tomorrow.

There will be a warm welcome space on 1st May bank holiday 10-12midday so everyone come along for a drink, breakfast pastries, fruit, chat or sit quietly in the space.

Steppingstones under 5’s group and their carers meet 10-11.30am on Tuesday and the deacons meet with Shelley on Tuesday night.

House groups are on through the week including Tuesday afternoon in the church building, Wednesday night at 7.30 in the building and on zoom,

Thursday evening is the ‘bible in 24 hours’ group at 7pm and Friday morning at 10am there is bible study in the church building.  There are more so for more information about these and other groups talk to myself or the deacons. 

After lunchclub on Wednesday we’ll be putting up some decorations for the Coronation so if you are around to help you would be very welcome (from about 1.45pm..sorry I know that doesn’t suit everyone).

There’s a warm welcome craft group 2-4pm on Thursday.

Thursday is also polling day and Moortown Baptist Church is an official polling station so do pray for all those coming in and out of the building that day.  The voting will not affect any of our regular groups as they are using the sports hall.

Next Sunday 7th May we have Café church 11-12 and then our Coronation Community lunch at 1pm.  Do come along and bring people with you. It’s open to all.  Some plates of savouries have already been arranged but if you’d like to bring a cake or something that can easily be shared then it would be welcome but don’t let bringing something stop you from coming.  Come as you are.  We have crown making and face painting going on but if you have an idea of something you would like to contribute can you let me know?  The whole idea behind it is to get together in a relaxed way, open our doors and enjoy good food and company. Our midweek groups have also been invited.

There will be no beacon on May 8th.

Other things to join with..

Throughout May we are having a focused month of prayer for the church and wider community.  Krys, Mandy and Adam have supplied some helpful pointers for each day.  I have attached a short version and a long version to this email so pick which one is most helpful.  You can pray them at home or with others.  They have also got a whats app you can join if you want to pray with people that way.  Details are in the attachments but we can give more information for those who need that.

The plant sale is coming up on the 13th May 1-3pm

The next whole church meeting is on 25th May at 7.30pm.  We’ll email out some information after the deacons meeting this week with some things that will be on the agenda to be thinking and praying about for contributions.  If you want to include something can you let myself, a deacon or Lesley know?  Lesley will be in the office from Tuesday so you can see her in person on the church number 0113 2693750 or email her admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk. 

Finally, we start a new series that builds on the epiphany moments and journeying with Jesus next Sunday.  I’ll email out information about this early next week so you can be thinking, preparing, praying..

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

In Christ

Shelley

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

The Merry Month of May

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According to Google the term The Merry Month of May (depending on how many Merrys you want to put in it) is either a song – sung as a duet in Edward German’s Merrie England; the regimental march of the 10th Royal Hussars; a poem by Elizabethan poet Thomas Dekker, a novel penned by writer James Jones in 1971 or a 1955 film featuring Lee Hoi-chuen.  However,  at MBC The Merry Month of May can only mean one (well maybe two things) and that’s our annual charity plant sale which takes place from 1-3pm on Saturday 13th May at church, but the week before it’s King Charles III Coronation with lunch for all, music and craft all taking place after our morning Service on the afternoon of Sunday May 7th.

As far as we know everything is taking shape for both of these memorable events with Jenny Dixon in charge of the Plant Sale and Karen Ross calling the shots re the Cornation tea. 

So any queries or particularly any offers of help before, during or after will be gratefully received by both.  

Easter Sunday – front of house and from behind the drums

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Many thanks to Nick Taylor and Phil Coates for sending in these two pictures of our Easter Sunday Cafe Church. 

With almost 150 chairs set out, a dedicated arts area, more hot cross buns than you could shake a stick at and mugs of tea and coffee by the gallon this was a joyous family celebration. 

Neither of these two pictures were “set up” as such they just sort of happened. Let’s just hope things like this keep on happening, they are a sure sign of God’s Grace and Truth. 

Shelley’s message – He is Risen!

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Dear friends… He is risen! 

It’s been so good to journey through lent, holy week and Easter Sunday as a community, whether in the building or on line, in small groups or on Sundays, with individuals or by taking time by ourselves to reflect. The picture of Moortown Baptist Church as ‘a tent without walls’ has maybe been visible for some of us in the drop in warm welcome spaces, gatherings of familiar and unfamiliar faces, worship outside the building, praying in a multi use space, getting together over a meal..and more. 
But as we were reminded by the Professor in C S lewis’s The lion, the witch and the wardrobe on Good Friday night, 

”…that is the very end of the adventure of the wardrobe. But if the Professor was right, it was only the beginning of the adventures of Narnia”
 
So too our journey continues, maybe with a slight change of pace after the drama of Holy Week but with gratitude and expectancy as we trust God with our next steps.
 
Here’s what’s coming up this week..
 
Wednesday 12th April – 10-12midday Easter beacon and warm welcome space with snacks, drinks and Easter crafts. 
 
Thursday 13th April – 2-4pm drop in warm welcome space and craft group 
 
Thursday 13th April 7-9pm bible in 24 hours continues.. this week it includes ‘why is the Tabernacle of Moses so significant?’ 
 
Sunday 16th April – 11am service with communion (and online) carrying on after Easter Sunday, ‘Journeying with Jesus’ on the road to Emmaus with things for our younger friends to engage with. 
 
Monday 17th April is the next deacons meeting at 7.30pm 
 
Monday 17th April 10-12midday Beacon cafe with warm welcome space (back to its usual Monday slot!) 
 
Sunday 7th May Coronation afternoon food and fun.. more news soon.. ideas and offers of help to Shelley and Karen… 
 
Saturday 13th May 1-3pm Plant sale 
 
If you usually go to a housegroup do check if it’s meeting this week with those who lead it. 
 
Anf finally…  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11:25-26 
 
See you soon 
 
Shelley 

What’s the point of that? Gareth Gadd poses a big question

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Football is sometimes called “The beautiful game”. Apart from the occasional run of good form, supporters at Elland Road would not normally describe what they see as beautiful. The same goes for anyone that does not support a multi-billion-pound club. The usual shouts of supporters might be “What do you think you’re playing at?” as a player makes a rash tackle or, horror of horrors, scores an own goal. “What was the point of that?” the crowd may shout.

To stay with the analogy, Jesus dying on the cross may have seemed like an own goal. Indeed, even his closest disciples would have been confused and frightened at the sight and wondered “What was the point of that?” Yet Jesus had told them many times that he would die.

“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me”. Luke 24:44

Prophecies regarding Jesus are woven through the entire Old Testament. If we take a few that could potentially be fulfilled by any of the apostles we realise that the probability of ALL of them being fulfilled by one man are impossible. Unless of course He is the Messiah.

The Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a Donkey (Zechariah 9:9) Would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12) About the Temple and the potter’s field (Zechariah 11:13) Would have wounds in his hands (Zechariah 13:6)) Jesus would not defend himself (Isaiah 53:7) Died with the wicked and was buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9) Would be wounded through his hands and feet (Psalm 22:16)

I encourage you to look them up and study them. There are roughly 350 regarding The Messiah of 8,362 prophecies in total if you are interested. Propecies authenticate the Bible, prophecies fulfilled by Jesus authenticate Jesus as the Son of God.
And what is the point of that?

(Very briefly) Because of the “original sin” we are separated from God and destined to die. Jesus, as the paschal sacrifice, shed his
blood for us on the cross. If we accept Jesus as the Messiah, our sins are paid for, and we receive eternal life through Jesus.

That’s the point.

Gareth Gadd

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