Sometimes I get asked what my view of Christmas is, as a Christian minister. How would you answer such a question? My answer is that I have a sensible approach to Christmas. You may or may not agree with me, but at least you may find some things helpful in this blog post. It is clear, I am sure for any committed Christian to agree that the current "state of play" regarding the world's view of Christmas is one that is unacceptable. For the world it is a time for drunkenness, self-indulgence, TV, parties and such like, not least an excessive degree of materialism. It is the fruit of a society lost in sin, one that has lost its spiritual bearings, so it becomes an opportunity to sin ever more excessively. The original purpose of Christmas and the coming of Jesus to save sinners is lost by them, somewhat deliberately. In fact many Muslims openly object to any Christian emphasis in schools and secular head teachers are often very willing to remove such religious ideas with their secular worldview.
John the apostle gives us a clear warning in 1 John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever".
Therefore, Christians need to guard against being swept away with excessive materialism and worldliness at this time of the year and we must not "dance to the world's drumbeat" of revelry. However, should we as Christians reject Christmas outright, as some assert a so-called Pagan festival? Well I can respect Christians who may take such a view, one of simplicity without Christmas, but we must recognise the realm of conscience for all Christians. Paul the apostle had to handle matters of conscience in the church and we can read what he says in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8. To one Christian, the notion of Christmas and its meaning may be fine to another it is not needed. Both camps need to respect one another's conscience.
We must not forget the worldwide unity of the church of which we are part of. Christians around the world have sought to emphasise two key redemptive truths in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ. These are the incarnation and the death of Jesus upon the cross. From the third/fourth century the church have chosen to celebrate what is now Christmas as the time to emphasise the incarnation and Easter for the cross. We do not know when Jesus was born in Bethlehem but the coming into the world of the only-begotten Son is a marvellous wonder. The Apostles Creed reminds us: "I believe in the one, holy catholic [universal) and apostolic church".
Despite the worldliness of our Western culture, I am content to join with other Christians around the world to emphasise (I choose this word rather than celebrate) the incarnation. Sometimes people appeal to the Puritans to denounce any association with such things as Christmas. However, this is poorly researched historically. The Westminster divines were not necessarily opposed to Christmas, indeed men such as Rev. Stanley Gower (former minister of Hill Top Chapel and a Westminster divine) would break their normal sermon series to preach topical sermons at times such as Christmas.
My position is hopefully a sensible one, whereby I think it is appropriate to sing certain hymns that magnify the incarnation of Jesus and preach some sermons to teach the joy of the coming of Christ Jesus into the world. As far as nativity plays in the church, I do not see that these are to form part of our worship. I do maintain that we should joyfully emphasise the upholding of the Lord's Day as a biblical command at all times of the year and that Christians should delight in the Sabbath weekly (Isaiah 58:13-14). A downgrade on the Sabbath can sometimes lead to adopting the church calendar instead of the weekly Lord's Day with two church services.
In closing, let us think of the joy of heaven at the coming of the Son to save sinners from the Gospel of Luke, 2:12-14: "And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”.
Monday, 24 November 2014
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Reformation Christianity Today (conference for men) 2014
Reformation Christianity for Today Conference (this is a conference for men)
Dates: 12th-13th December 2014
Venue: Hill Top Chapel,Sheffield, S9 2AD (this is where Sheffield Presbyterian Church meets).
Exploring the ‘Nitty Gritty’ of the Doctrines of Grace and Reformed Theology
Registration:£20
For more information please contact Song Tsai: song.her.tsai@googlemail.com
Dates: 12th-13th December 2014
Venue: Hill Top Chapel,Sheffield, S9 2AD (this is where Sheffield Presbyterian Church meets).
Exploring the ‘Nitty Gritty’ of the Doctrines of Grace and Reformed Theology
Registration:£20
For more information please contact Song Tsai: song.her.tsai@googlemail.com
Monday, 10 November 2014
Memorising Bible Verses
From the time of my being a new Christian, I was introduced to the importance of Scripture memorisation. At the time of my conversion, communism was a global powerhouse and many Christians suffered time in jail, in places such as China, Russia, Vietnam and elsewhere. The proposition to consider at that time was: if you spent time in prison without a Bible, how would you survive spiritually? I set out on a journey to commit to memory individual verses, which I then progressed to whole sections of Scripture and at one stage I even attempted to memorise the whole Book of Ephesians. To the relief of many readers, you will be pleased to know that I never completed this. Once I had memorised the whole book of Ephesians, I found that I kept forgetting early portions of it and I had to start again, but the whole exercise was and is spiritually profitable to this day.
Psalm 119 carries many exhortations for the people of God to be committed to the written Word of God. Hear the words of Psalm 119.
Verse 9: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word".
Verse 11: "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Verse 16: "I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word".
Here are several suggestions for Scripture memorisation.
1. Memorise the Scripture portions with its name name and address. What I mean by this is that we should memorise the Bible verse and its location reference. For example 1 John 5:12 "whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life".
2. Choose a good translation for memorisation such as the ESV, NASB or NKJV.
3. Write down a verse on a memory card and carry it around with you for 2-3 days and read every time you have a break and commit it to memory. Once you have done this take another card and do the same again and choose a variety of verses to strengthen your soul.
4. Try to memorise the whole of Psalm 23, The Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Apostles Creed and then recite them regularly.
5. Commit verses to memory by reciting them out loud. This is a very effective way of memorising because your ears hear it, your eyes see it and your mind is hammered into shape and is renewed by the diligent and joyful art of Scripture memorisation.
Those who claim to hold to reformed doctrine should be above all "people of the Book". May this be said of you to the glory of God. Enjoy!
Psalm 119 carries many exhortations for the people of God to be committed to the written Word of God. Hear the words of Psalm 119.
Verse 9: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word".
Verse 11: "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Verse 16: "I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word".
Here are several suggestions for Scripture memorisation.
1. Memorise the Scripture portions with its name name and address. What I mean by this is that we should memorise the Bible verse and its location reference. For example 1 John 5:12 "whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life".
2. Choose a good translation for memorisation such as the ESV, NASB or NKJV.
3. Write down a verse on a memory card and carry it around with you for 2-3 days and read every time you have a break and commit it to memory. Once you have done this take another card and do the same again and choose a variety of verses to strengthen your soul.
4. Try to memorise the whole of Psalm 23, The Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Apostles Creed and then recite them regularly.
5. Commit verses to memory by reciting them out loud. This is a very effective way of memorising because your ears hear it, your eyes see it and your mind is hammered into shape and is renewed by the diligent and joyful art of Scripture memorisation.
Those who claim to hold to reformed doctrine should be above all "people of the Book". May this be said of you to the glory of God. Enjoy!
Friday, 31 October 2014
What songs should the church sing?
This blog title seems so harmless and yet. And yet, so many battles are constantly fought over which kind songs should be sung in the church. I am not sure that I have clear answers for each matter, but my initial comments are these.
Let us be in balance with Scripture. How many times is singing mentioned in the New Testament? It is only a handful of times and here are some of the references: Acts 16:25, 1 Cor. 14:15, Ephesians 5:19, James 5:13, Colossians 3:16, Matthew 26:30. There are also the songs of accomplishment that are sung in heaven, as recorded in the Book of Revelation as well.
However, we must keep things in perspective. In the New Testament, during the expansion of the gospel, we do not find that singing is a primary distinguishing mark of missionary activity and yet today, in some circles, singing receives a highly prized status. It is not uncommon to hear that churches, and now evangelical and reformed churches, that they must sing the latest songs written, as if we need to prove that we are not out-dated. So it appears that singing new tunes, with the latest Christian song-writers is supposedly a mark of being contemporary, progressive, and relevant to the times we live in. This sounds like a persuasive argument, but it needs examination theologically, exegetically and pragmatically.
One of my favourite verses that relates to the content of our singing in the church, is to be found in Ephesians 5:19. It reads: "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart".
Let us make some comments on this teaching, as given here by Paul.
1. Singing is expected in the church.
2. The content of our songs matters, because we are to "address one another" with these songs.
3. Addressing means that there is a teaching and learning component, as well as encouragement, as we hear the words of what people sing.
4. There is a variety of content of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. In Sheffield Presbyterian Church, we have an inclusive psalmody position. We believe that psalms should be part of our singing but not exclusively. Some have worked hard to try to use this verse to say that each word is another way of saying a different kind of psalm. This is not persuasive in my opinion. If we are to address one another, then this must include truth in the light of the incarnation and teaching of Jesus Christ, his resurrection and the Holy Trinity. These are not found in their fulness in the Psalms.
5. It is hard to hear people's words that they sing, if they are being drowned out by a band with a loud PA pressing down on the congregation.
6. Congregational singing is required in the church, but this is not to be a sing-along-to-a-band.
7. We have no sense in the Word of God that songs and singing are to be a method to lure people into the church. The Songs of Zion to be sung by the church, are for the church, to glorify God and to encourage one another in the truths of the gospel.
Immediately, blood pressures may rise as you discuss singing in the church, and this tells me that music and singing are emotionally powerful, either for good or not for good. Let us remember that the church must be a worldliness-free-zone. We are not afraid of technology, but we are not trying to project ourselves as being "with it", in order to to gain credibility points. If Christians are confused on these matters, then elders must come back to first principles to teach people a biblical foundation, and this includes matters of singing. The reformed church reforms itself according to the principles of Scripture, not pragmatism.
Let us be in balance with Scripture. How many times is singing mentioned in the New Testament? It is only a handful of times and here are some of the references: Acts 16:25, 1 Cor. 14:15, Ephesians 5:19, James 5:13, Colossians 3:16, Matthew 26:30. There are also the songs of accomplishment that are sung in heaven, as recorded in the Book of Revelation as well.
However, we must keep things in perspective. In the New Testament, during the expansion of the gospel, we do not find that singing is a primary distinguishing mark of missionary activity and yet today, in some circles, singing receives a highly prized status. It is not uncommon to hear that churches, and now evangelical and reformed churches, that they must sing the latest songs written, as if we need to prove that we are not out-dated. So it appears that singing new tunes, with the latest Christian song-writers is supposedly a mark of being contemporary, progressive, and relevant to the times we live in. This sounds like a persuasive argument, but it needs examination theologically, exegetically and pragmatically.
One of my favourite verses that relates to the content of our singing in the church, is to be found in Ephesians 5:19. It reads: "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart".
Let us make some comments on this teaching, as given here by Paul.
1. Singing is expected in the church.
2. The content of our songs matters, because we are to "address one another" with these songs.
3. Addressing means that there is a teaching and learning component, as well as encouragement, as we hear the words of what people sing.
4. There is a variety of content of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. In Sheffield Presbyterian Church, we have an inclusive psalmody position. We believe that psalms should be part of our singing but not exclusively. Some have worked hard to try to use this verse to say that each word is another way of saying a different kind of psalm. This is not persuasive in my opinion. If we are to address one another, then this must include truth in the light of the incarnation and teaching of Jesus Christ, his resurrection and the Holy Trinity. These are not found in their fulness in the Psalms.
5. It is hard to hear people's words that they sing, if they are being drowned out by a band with a loud PA pressing down on the congregation.
6. Congregational singing is required in the church, but this is not to be a sing-along-to-a-band.
7. We have no sense in the Word of God that songs and singing are to be a method to lure people into the church. The Songs of Zion to be sung by the church, are for the church, to glorify God and to encourage one another in the truths of the gospel.
Immediately, blood pressures may rise as you discuss singing in the church, and this tells me that music and singing are emotionally powerful, either for good or not for good. Let us remember that the church must be a worldliness-free-zone. We are not afraid of technology, but we are not trying to project ourselves as being "with it", in order to to gain credibility points. If Christians are confused on these matters, then elders must come back to first principles to teach people a biblical foundation, and this includes matters of singing. The reformed church reforms itself according to the principles of Scripture, not pragmatism.
Monday, 27 October 2014
Three new books to consider reading
At the London Presbyterian Conference, followed by a special meeting at Sheffield Presbyterian Church, three books sold out or sold very well at the book table.
These were:
Chad Van Dixhoorn, "Confessing the Faith: A Reader's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith".
Sinclair Ferguson, "From the Mouth of God; Trusting, Reading and Applying the Bible".
Iain D. Campbell, "The Wondrous Cross".
This blog is not simply intended to recommend books, however I do not underestimate the power of the printed page. Written materials can be life-changing and I am not ashamed to make good book recommendations. We need a church that is a thinking church and therefore one that is loving God with the whole heart, soul, mind and strength.
Hear the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Mark 12:28-31: "And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these”.
Did you notice that our minds are included in loving God? This aspect has dropped out of some sections of Western Christianity and it must be recovered. Why not pray that you would love the Lord God in all four of these areas: your heart, soul, mind and strength?
These were:
Chad Van Dixhoorn, "Confessing the Faith: A Reader's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith".
Sinclair Ferguson, "From the Mouth of God; Trusting, Reading and Applying the Bible".
Iain D. Campbell, "The Wondrous Cross".
This blog is not simply intended to recommend books, however I do not underestimate the power of the printed page. Written materials can be life-changing and I am not ashamed to make good book recommendations. We need a church that is a thinking church and therefore one that is loving God with the whole heart, soul, mind and strength.
Hear the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Mark 12:28-31: "And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these”.
Did you notice that our minds are included in loving God? This aspect has dropped out of some sections of Western Christianity and it must be recovered. Why not pray that you would love the Lord God in all four of these areas: your heart, soul, mind and strength?
Friday, 24 October 2014
Ligon Duncan's sermon preached at Sheffield Presbyterian Church, October 2014
Ligon Duncan preached at Sheffield Presbyterian Church on Monday 20th October 2014. It was a most heart-warming and sound exposition of one of Paul's prayers found in Ephesians chapter 3.
The link is as follows:
http://sheffieldpres.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=60
I unreservedly commend this sermon to you and I trust that it will profit you spiritually.
In the work of the gospel,
Kevin Bidwell
The link is as follows:
http://sheffieldpres.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=60
I unreservedly commend this sermon to you and I trust that it will profit you spiritually.
In the work of the gospel,
Kevin Bidwell
Monday, 20 October 2014
London Presbyterian Conference 2014 Recorded Talks
It is amazing how much work and preparation goes into things such as conference organisation. This was certainly the case for the London Presbyterian Conference 2014 for Rev. Darren Moore and myself, with the help of many other people. None-the-less we trust that it was profitable to many people, on many levels.
The talks of each session can be found on the Sheffield Presbyterian Church website:http://www.sheffieldpres.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=60
They will also appear in the coming next couple of weeks on the EPCEW website also. I especially recommend session one by Ligon Duncan on "The Inerrancy of Scripture". For those who are involved in teaching people, in whatever is your vocation, then notice Ligon's lucid, simple teaching style. To teach with such clarity and simplicity is indeed a great skill.
Enjoy!
The talks of each session can be found on the Sheffield Presbyterian Church website:http://www.sheffieldpres.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=60
They will also appear in the coming next couple of weeks on the EPCEW website also. I especially recommend session one by Ligon Duncan on "The Inerrancy of Scripture". For those who are involved in teaching people, in whatever is your vocation, then notice Ligon's lucid, simple teaching style. To teach with such clarity and simplicity is indeed a great skill.
Enjoy!
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