The Baptist Church @ Timberley Lane

 “God Loves So We Care; We Care So We Serve”

WEEKLY MESSAGE FOR W/C 5th JULY

Taken from Luke 15 : 1 - 31

I try to relate my messages to something someone has asked me about or a current situation.

Earlier this week I was asked what we mean when we speak about ' the grace of our Lord Jesus'. A difficult subject because we can't take it apart, examine it and put it back together - it is the love shown by our Lord Jesus to everyone, particularly those rejected by others, judged and found unsuitable!  This attitude can be found everywhere today.

People came to Jesus in their hundreds, not just because he was healing them but because he loved them. Whatever they had done he welcomed them.

The parables he told were not simply lovely stories. For us all this time later they still have deeper, personal meaning which we may overlook.

Take these three stories, the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son - well known to most of us; we understand what it is like to lose something and then find it (especially as we get older). Jesus is actually asking if we know what it feels like to be God?

When even one person finds him personally, God rejoices. Grace is very personal and of course God would rejoice if a cure was found for Covid 19, of no child in the world ever went hungry or thirsty or if thousands of people were converted and began praising him.

The grace of our Lord Jesus is his love, tenderness and care. Jesus said that 'there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.'

People may say that they are 'not good enough to come to church' or they 'will clean up their act first'. Our invitation to join us should still be there. Before he died Jesus forgave a thief, knowing the man spoke out of fear having never attended a synagogue or house of prayer and would never be able to make amends for what he had done.   It is a reminder that grace does not depend on what we do for God but on what he has done for us.

And now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. 

Amen

Corona Virus Update:  Following a COVID-19 risk assessment the Diaconate have reluctantly taken the decision that BCTL shall remain closed for the month of July 2020.  The safety and welfare of all users of our premises are our prime concern.  We will be reviewing this with a view to re-opening as soon as it is safe and practical.

During this difficult period we ask that our fellowship remain in touch and support each other by telephone where possible.  The situation is ongoing, so please check back frequently for any changes to this policy.