Gossiping the Gospel

Acts 11:19-30

Redina spoke from Acts 11 and focused on the Church in Antioch. Key points from her talk were...

• First 7 chapters in Acts were on the growth of the Church in Jerusalem /Chapter 8 is on persecution believers faced and the stoning of Stephen / Chapters 9-12 look at how the Gospel message spread.
• Jewish Christians mostly shared the gospel with other Jews. There were other non Jewish believers who were keen to share with outsiders of the Jewish faith.
• Antioch was a large city and had 5 cultures (Roman, Greek, Jewish, Persian, Arab). It was famous as a sports arena and was well known for peoples decadent lifestyle.
• Within this Antioch culture the early Christ believers gossiped the gospel. There were no clergy or leaders in the Church of Antioch. The believers were ordinary people who took the challenge to share the gospel message to the sophisticated and rich culture that surrounded them. God's hand was on them.
• How do we share the gospel in our culture? Do we know the story of Jesus firsthand or do we try to witness to others with secondhand knowledge?
• The Church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas (right person for the job) to go and check the Church in Antioch (vs 22). Barnabas understood how to share the message and encourage believers who were from non-Jewish backgrounds.
• vs 24: Barnabas was a Good man. Only person that Luke (the writer of Acts) says is 'Good'! Barnabas did not focus on the shortcomings in the lives of Antioch Christians but focused on the good things. Barnabas was gentle, tolerant, loving and compassionate.
• Barnabas encouraged the believers to Cling to the Lord Resolutely (Abide in Him) - When we grow in the grace of God we will cling to him.
• Barnabas then goes to Tarsus and gets Paul to come and they focused in teaching God's Word for one year with the Church in Antioch. - How often do we study God's word? We should stick to the task of reading God's Word. We cannot witness only through our testimonies. We need to grow from being a child and mature in his word as we abide in Him.
• Outsiders named the Christ believers as 'Christians' (Christ People) for the first time in Antioch. Christians must make the invisible Christ visible to others through our lives.
• Vs 27-30 The believers decided to take a collection to help others who were suffering due to a famine. Each person gave according to their ability.
• 'The real mark of a changed heart is a giving spirit' - When God touches our lives we become generous

What are the marks of a real Christian

1. Gossip the Gospel
2. Make the invisible God visible
3. Have a big heart to share with others
4. Not perfect but constantly growing in God's grace (more gentle, more generous, more loving)

Three qualities to pray for

1. Always about sharing the Good news (where ever you are)
2. God calls DNA as a community to grow in his Grace.
3. To be generous in our giving

Four questions to reflect...

1. How are you gossiping the gospel in your everyday life?
2. What does 'cleaving to the Lord resolutely' mean to you?
3. In what ways can you do that better?
4. Does your giving reflect your changed heart?
   

DNA Events:

DNA Summer Camp - Thetford Forest, Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd June 2008 - Contact Tony (07796682571) or Paul (07505132664)

June 29th - No morning service at the Art Centre. Afternoon Baptism service at Frinton. Contact David or Janie Beales (01206530934) for more details.

Janie Beales spoke from Acts 8:26-40 where Philip explains and Baptises the Ethiopian Eunuch. The following points were highlighted

• Philip was on the road (journey) because of persecution Christians were facing
• Ethiopians were God believers and they followed the first five books in the Bible (Law)
• Eunuch's were always on the outside and never fully accepted by Hebrews
• Philip was on a journey but was interuppted! He was obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. He had no clue what was ahead but he obeyed God.
• When Philip heard the Eunuch reading from Isaiah he knew what he had to do. Philip's response was immediate and bold. He also asked a subtle question to start a conversation with the Eunuch.
• The Ethiopian Eunuch wanted to be baptised when he saw water. He was also decisive and bold.
• The Eunuch was given a new identity and he emerged from his baptism full of joy (rejoicing)
• Philip entrusted everything to the Holy Spirit to work in the new believer's (Eunuch) life and he moved on.

Other passages for reference Isaiah 56:3-5, Isaiah 64:4, Isaiah 43:19, Acts 1:8, John 14:16,17

We can be open to the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit.

We may all expect that God may want to interrupt our lives.

Three key aspects from Philip's character... (FAT)

Philip was Faithful to God's call. He was Available to be interupted. He was Teachable.

Faithful

Available

Teachable

It's a Party!

Football, BBQ, Beach

Everybody Welcome...

Sunday 1st June

Harwich Dovercourt Rugby Club, Swimming Pool Road (Off Wick Ro

ad), Dovercourt

BBQ starts at 2.45p.m (bring your own food)

Football Kick off 3p.m

Beach open all the time

Frisbee game at 3.30p.m

Last cook on the BBQ 5p.m

map and direction

Contact Tony for more details: 07796682571

Set-Apart

Jon Mulvey spoke about the early church referring from Acts 2:40-47.

He talked about how one man's (Jesus) mission in 3 years turned the world upside down. There were four choices for the early church to model their lives on:

1. Pharisees and Sadducee lifestyle - Very legalistic and uncaring to the poor and sick
2. Roman lifestyle - Trample others out of greed for money and power
3. Gentiles lifestyle - Many different theologies and understanding about God
4. Jesus way - A new life style as in Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Why was there favour from all the people? Acts 2:40 - Peter pleaded with the people to leave the ways of a corrupt generation and live a life set apart for Christ

The early church was counter culture. In our modern day it is easy to become sub culture shaped Christians.

John 15:19 " If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

Is our lives as Christians being clear to others around us to see that we are people who are counter culture just as the early church was?

Jeremiah 15:19 "Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them."

NOTE: Next Sunday (June 1st) -Venue Change! Service will be at St Martin's Church on East Stockwell Street.

Sunday with CYO

CYO Team (Tim, Tom and Steve) explained about their work in Colchester schools.

The purpose of CYO is to take the message of Jesus to young people especially into schools.

Tom shared his personal testimony about his addiction to alcohol, his journey to faith and his real struggles as a Christian. He said that even today he is so close to going back to his drinking habit and it is an inner battle within him.

Steve thanked those who have been supporting CYO financially and encouraged the church to give to the work so that more young people can meet Jesus in their schools.

Tim shared from 2 Corinthians 4:1-7. Some of his key points were

• A Sense of Calling by God to this work
• We wear no mask in the work with others and be real
• Making God's Word relevant
• For many young people the message of the Bible is not obscure and CYO work in bringing Jesus to the young people through real life stories rather than just information
• It is a privilege to carry God's message to young people

Prayer points

Pray for a possible Prayer room in various schools

Pray for the finances of CYO to be able to employ more staff

P-P-P

On Pentecost Sunday Enoch shared from Acts 2 and spoke the Promise to receive the Power to Proclaim the Message.
Some of the young people led by Hannah drew a painting during the service as an act of worship.
There was lots of time for prayer through the service.

Other highlights:
Alex Adams (DNA prayed for him) ran and completed his first marathon on Sunday in 3hrs 38mins and finished 73rd in a starting line up of 700 runners! Alex and Kevin were running to raise money for the Kigali Kids Project.
DNA Cricket team beat Eld Lane Baptist Church by 28 runs!
Ladies Aerobics every Tuesdays

DNA Cricket...

Come and support DNA Cricket team every Monday!

First game versus Eld Lane Baptist Church on May 12th at 6p.m - Mill Road Rugby Club

(Practices every Friday, 5p.m to 6.30p.m at Colchester Cricket Club)

SL.I.M

Rev David Beales explained what SLIM is from the story in John 21:1-14.

1. Jesus guides and directs the disciples in the process of fishing. After Jesus resurrection the Holy Spirit leads and guides us. Our Heart needs to be right with God to have the leading of God's Spirit. We have to be Spirit Led.


2. Fishing is a metaphor of Mission. Jesus gave clear instructions to his disciples and to us in Matthew 28 (make disciples). The message of Jesus in communicated to the world we live in through us. We are to be Incarnational (put flesh) in our mission.
   
3. Multiplication of fish. The catch was many more than that was expected. We are called to go and Multiply in the Kingdom of God

SPIRIT
LED
INCARNATIONAL
MULTIPLY

Risen from the dead

Sunday, 19th April - Talk by Rev David Beales from Matthew 28

David's question to the church: What if Jesus did not rise from the dead?
Some of the answers:
Sin would increase/ people will not know the love of God/ there would be no Christian faith/ No Holy Spirit/ Wouldn't know the real God/ Islam may be the dominant world religion

What happened within 53 days in Peter's life from denying Jesus to boldly proclaiming in the center of Jerusalem? How did this transformation take place?

• Encounter - Peter and the other disciples ENCOUNTERED Jesus.
  When Jesus is revealed in our lives he stops us on our tracks!
  
• Encourage - Jesus ENCOURAGED the women and told them 'Do not be afraid'
  Courage that Jesus supplies to replace fear is POWER, LOVE, SELF DISCIPLINE
  
• Enlist- Jesus ENLISTED people to become followers of God.
  He asks us to train other people to become disciples of Jesus. We are asked to train everyone from all cultures.

David also spoke on Baptism and Affirmation of ones faith if they have had a child baptism. There was an invitation to anyone to....
be Baptised/Affirmed
be part of the gospel and the gospel mission
build and multiply church plants
organise our lives best we can

Question: What if we hear God's voice and not respond?

(note: Do ask David Beales what SLIM is?)

Sunday Worship - April 13th

Chrissy Campos spoke on Hope and Hope Lost from Luke 24:36-49

What if life experience contradicts with what we hope and believe? Just as Jesus appeared to his disciples when they were in despair, in the middle of uncertainty in our lives he comes!

HOPE makes the assumption that the future is going to be better than the present.

HOPE LOST is despair

How do we have HOPE?

• Read and study the Bible - Psalm 119:114 'You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.'
• Pray - Philippians 4:6-7 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'
• Encourage - Hebrews 10:23-25 'Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.'
  Romans 12:8 'if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.'
  

Questions to ponder
1. What are the things in your life you feel are uncertain or hopeless?
2. How might Jesus renew these?
3. What area in your life do you hope for change?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us - Ephesians 3:20

With Luton DNA

Easter Sunday

Chrissy shared about God being through tough times in her life. Patrick shared about the transformation that God did in his life when he believed in his heart and confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord.

DNA family also shared communion together. There was also lots of snow and some tasty food!

Wailing Wall - Hoping Wall

These photos are from the Good Friday service led by DNA Networks in Colchester town centre (with Salvation Army Band)

Palm Sunday

Mark 11:1-19 - Jesus Triumphal Entry

Rev David Beales referred to Zechariah 9:9 where the events of Palm Sunday were prophesied.

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Jesus in the Temple
* Had an affection for the temple
* Prophesied its destruction
* Reinterpreted the meaning of the temple

Temple in New Testament
Stephen: God does not live in houses made by human hands (Acts 7:48)
Paul
- Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
- Local Church are God's temple
- Universal Church grows into a holy temple in the Lord

So what?
* Jesus cleansed the temple on Monday
* He cleansed us on Friday

Romans 4:25
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

As we enter this week it is time for cleansing and a time for getting right with God. If we are centred in Jesus our sinful nature will be removed.
Are we willing to let Jesus come and thoroughly cleanse us.

Challenge for the local church - Priority for each person in the body of Christ is to find what God's agenda and dreams are.

Jesus has disciples in his 12 who had completely opposite views but he commanded them to love one another!

The call is to - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

(Good Friday service: 10:30a.m at the Art Centre followed by a worship time near Eld Lane Baptist Church, opposite Boots)

Creating Healing Communities

Janie Beales shared some thoughts from the book by Earnest Gordon called 'Miracle on the River Kwai'.

• Creating Healing Communities in the most unlikeliest places (as with the POWs in Burma)


• Real Forgiveness


• Become Serving communities - Blessing comes with serving others (John 13:12-17)


• Every generation needs to discover the living God for themselves

Bible verses

'The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many' - Matthew 20:28

John 13:12-17

Philippians 2:1-11

Luke 4: 17-19 (Finger prints of Jesus)

'Many who are first will be last, and the last first'

Sunday, 2nd March

Mark 10: 17-31 (The Rich Young Man)

vs 21: “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

David Beales said, Jesus asks us to give up our status and take up the cross (sign of shame) and follow Him.

What is our life centered on? On status in society or Jesus?

vs 27: “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Challenge: Is my life centered on Jesus?

Promise: If life is centered on Jesus the promise in in vs 30 (receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.)

Mark 10:31

Many who are first will be last, and the last first

Things to look forward to in the next two weeks

Sunday 2nd March 10.30am @ Colchester Arts Centre, Mothering Sunday we will all have the chance to wrap up a flower and write a card. Dave Beales will be giving his first talk since his sabbatical.

Then Sunday evening @ Charter Hall 6.30pm Arthur Blessitt will be talking about his life and it is quite a remarkable one. Do come along bring as many people as you like as there is plenty of room at Charter Hall. See poster below.

Tuesday 4th March we will be starting Alpha for any one 18 – 35. email back if you need more information on this……

Sunday 9th March 10.30am @ Colchester Arts Centre Janie will be talking.

'I surrender ALL'

Sunday, 24th February

Bible passages:
Psalms 37: 4 (Satisfy ourselves in God)
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalms 37: 23 (God being satisfied with our ways)
If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm.

Main text: Mark 12:41-44 (The Widows Offering)

vs44 (b): she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.

Have we surrendered our all to God?
Through Worship <-- WORD --> Work , we learn to surrender our lives totally to God.

'What you Feed, You will hunger!'

Be Open Handed, not tight fisted!

Alan Steele, the chaplain from the Parachute Regiment shared about his troops work and life in Afghanistan. DNA folk will be praying for his family and for his safety.

Christine Clayodn shared about Tithes from Deutronomy 14:22-29.
Tithing is not just only giving money but also our time, energies, food, clothes etc..
She encouraged the church to give to our leaders and the poor.
(Other passages referred were Matthew 5:17-20 and Philippians 2:1-6)

"Be open Handed and not tight fisted" because God gave his all in sending his son Jesus for us!

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Worship from Psalms and Word on Temptations

Songs from Psalms 30:5
His anger lasts only a moment, his goodness for a lifetime. Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Good News)
(Trading my Sorrows)

Psalms 19: 14b
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight. (NIV)

Rev John Claydon spoke on the temptations, Jesus faced after his Baptism from Matthew 4.
He made 3 key points
1. Satan puts doubts in our minds just as he did with Jesus when he said 'If you are the Son of God.....'
2. Satan uses Scripture out of context to cause us to test God and sin.
3. The ulitmate purpose of Satan who is the prince of this world is for us to worship him through what the world offers.

We are called to know God's word deeply and to be people set apart for the worship of the living God!