A Service of the Word

Sunday 14th June

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Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture

Psalm 100.1-3 Greeting Minister Praise the name of the Lord; All ascribe greatness to our

God. Minister Lord, open our lips All and we shall praise your

name. cf Deuteronomy 32.3; Psalm 51.15

The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; she is his new creation by water and the word: from heaven he came and sought her to be his holy Bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.

Elect from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth, her charter of salvation one Lord, one faith, one birth; one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued. Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war, she waits the consummation of peace forevermore; till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest, and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest. Yet she on earth hath union with the God the Three in One, and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won: O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we, like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.

S.J. Stone (1839-1900) Tune S.S. Wesley (1810-76) - CCLI no. 1049935

Saying sorry to God Minister Jesus says, ‘Repent, for the

kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ So let us turn away from sin and turn to the Lord, confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

All Most merciful God,

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God.Amen.

Minister Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with heartfelt repentance and true faith turn to him: have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen. Collect

O God, the strength of all those who put their trust in you, mercifully accept our prayers and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without you, grant us the help of your grace, that in the keeping of your commandments we may please you both in will and deed;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

All Amen Hearing from God Acts 4:1-12

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the

high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: ‘By what power or what name did you do this?’ 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is ‘“the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’ This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Talk Part 1

Wide and long and high and deep; Wide and long and high and deep; Wide and long and high and deep Is the love of Jesus. Wide and long and high and deep; Wide and long and high and deep; Wide and long and high and deep Is the love of Jesus for us. And we pray that we will know this love, And we pray that we will grow in love, And we pray that we will be filled up With the Spirit of God! Colin Pye © 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music) -CCLI no. 1049935

Hearing from God

Acts 4:13-22

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were

unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 ‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.’ 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them,

because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Talk Part 2

There is a hope that burns within my heart,

That gives me strength for every passing day;

A glimpse of glory now revealed in meagre part,

Yet drives all doubt away: I stand in Christ, with sins forgiven; And Christ in me, the hope of heaven! My highest calling and my deepest joy, To make His will my home.

There is a hope that lifts my weary head, A consolation strong against despair, That when the world has plunged me in

its deepest pit, I find the Saviour there! Through present sufferings, future's fear, He whispers 'courage' in my ear. For I am safe in everlasting arms, And they will lead me home. There is a hope that stands the test of

time, That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning

grave, To see the matchless beauty of a day

divine When I behold His face! When sufferings cease and sorrows die, And every longing satisfied. Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul, For I am truly home. © 2007 Thankyou Music/Adm. by worshiptogether.com songs excl. UK and Europe, adm by Kingsway Music. tym@kingswaysongs.co.uk - CCLI no. 1049935

Hearing from God

Acts 4:23-31

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ‘“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.” 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had

decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Talk Part 3 Affirming what we believe Minister We say together in faith All Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.

Minister We believe in God the Father, who created all things:

All for by his will they were created and have their being.

Minister We believe in God the Son, who was slain:

All for with his blood, he purchased us for God, from every tribe and language, from every people and nation.

Minister We believe in God the Holy Spirit:

All the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’ Even so come, Lord Jesus! Amen. cf Revelation 4.8,11; 5.9; 22.17, 20

Speaking to God

Let us pray to God, who alone makes us dwell in safety:

For all who are affected by coronavirus, through illness or isolation or anxiety,

that they may find relief and recovery: Lord, hear us, All Lord, graciously hear us. For those who are guiding our nation at this

time, and shaping national policies, that they may make wise decisions: Lord, hear us, All Lord, graciously hear us. For doctors, nurses and medical

researchers, that through their skill and insights many will be restored to health: Lord, hear us, All Lord, graciously hear us. For the vulnerable and the fearful, for the gravely ill and the dying, that they may know your comfort and peace: Lord, hear us, All Lord, graciously hear us.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour

Jesus Christ. Amen. All Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice; Tender to me the promise of His Word;

In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His name! Make known His might, the deeds His arm has done; His mercy sure, from age to age the same; His holy Name, the Lord, the mighty One. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His might! Powers and dominions lay their glory by; Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight; The hungry fed, the humble lifted high. Tell out, my soul, the glories of His Word! Firm is His promise, and His mercy sure. Tell out my soul, the greatness of the Lord To children’s children and forevermore! © Timothy Dudley Smith (b. 1926) Tune: Walter Greatorex (1877-1949) - CCLI no. 1049935

Sent out for God

A city on a hill cannot be hidden. We are the light of the world.

cf Matthew 5.14 Declare God’s glory among the nations, his wonders among all peoples.

cf Psalm 96.3 The Lord bless you and watch over you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord look kindly on you and give you peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

cf Numbers 6.24,25

Acts 4:1-31 What do you remember from school science lessons? My memories include playing with Bunsen

burners, breeding fruit flies and the experiment with hydrogen sulphide which made the classroom smell like rotten eggs!

I vaguely remember my physics too, and Newton’s Third Law of Motion. That for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. You push an object in one direction and there will be an equal force, friction for example, pushing back. Except in Acts 4 we find something which proves Newton wrong! For we will see God’s action pushing forwards. We will also see the reaction which pushes back. But as we do, we will realise as powerful as that

force might be, it is not equal to God. God’s word has been spreading – like ripples in a pond. On the day of Pentecost, 3000 people believed. By v4 it will be 5000. Last time an amazing miracle of the healing of a lame man took place. Peter proclaimed Jesus. Today the opposite reaction begins. We alternate between opposition and God’s people. Opposition (v1-7) - Silence Peter is preaching, when the religious

establishment catch wind. The ruling council was made up of the priests, the guards who oversaw the Temple’s practical life, and the Sadducees – who were both political and religious. They were particularly concerned with maintain healthy relationships with Rome, as well as theological orthodoxy. But they didn’t believe in the resurrection. So no wonder there is consternation as Peter preaches Jesus is the one who brings resurrection life. It is a reminder that sometimes power and religion can become

unhelpfully mixed. That is not to argue for a separation of church and state necessarily. Nor to say the church has nothing to say to the state. But rather power and religion can sometimes become so mixed it is hard to tell where one begins and another ends. Sometimes our desire to serve, or to take on a position of responsibility in church can come more from a desire to have followers or people listening to us, than serving Jesus.

They couldn’t deal with Peter and John there and then. So off to jail they were taken. The quickest way to deal with those who don’t like is to silence them. It looks like God’s message spreading is being brought to an embarrassing stop. But v4 is a little reminder. Opposition does not stop God! V7 the question on the council’s lips is ‘By what power or what name did you do this?’ Peter and John are on trial at the highest court in the land. It is like they are in the dock before the whole

House of Lords, Commons and Bishops combined, with the Police Chiefs there for good measure. Notice the council offers no alternative evidence. They can’t deny what has happened. There is no reasoned debate. Simply a desire to silence. That is so often a response in this world. Reacting to something we don’t like simply by seeking to silence the other. You see it in our universities, where people have been

non-platformed because they hold a view which doesn’t fit with the dominant story people are telling. You may have seen even this week JK Rowling, the hugely successful author of the Harry Potter books, has been attacked by some because of her comments on gender and her experience of her biological sex. She is really being accused of hate-speech. The desire of some is to shut her words down. Now sadly I can’t say that Christians have never responded that

way to others. We have. That is wrong. But we shouldn’t expect the response to be any different when God’s people proclaim God’s good news. There will be an opposing force. It will often take the form of silencing. In Letters from Lockdown, the material for families during this period, we prayed for a lady in Iran called Fatimah. She spoke up for Jesus and the rights of Christians. What was the response? A call on her to renounce her

faith, and the threat of prison. Silencing. I read this week, that in Afghanistan, both sides working towards a peace deal (for which we pray) view Christians as apostates, liable to execution. They would silence Jesus’ voice from the land. It might be as Christians speak out about moral or social issues, we find the same. On the smaller scale, it might be the line I once heard a head teacher of a church school tell a minister ‘we don’t mention

Jesus over this threshold.’ Or more simply the sort of unsaid atmosphere sometimes created in workplaces, even families – don’t talk about Jesus here. God’s good news going out will be opposed. Often by silencing. It is scary being faced by all those people. Remember Peter’s track record. He cracked on the night before Jesus’ death when questioned by a slave girl. What will Peter do here?

God’s people – Proclaim (v8-12) Peter looks like he is in the dock. But he goes on the front foot. The council become the accused! That is the difference the Holy Spirit makes. We can’t see the wind. But we can see the impact it has. The trees swaying, the washing blowing, the fact it takes twice as long to cycle along Clifton Drive! So too the Spirit. We know the Spirit is at work among God’s people because he

works bold proclamation in them. V8 Peter calls the council out. They can’t be on trial for showing kindness to man! No, v10 the real issue surrounds Jesus. Jesus is responsible for the healing (v10) Jesus is alive and in the place of authority (v10). They have been like a group of builders walking around a building site searching for stones. They look at one, dismiss it as useless, and throw it into the ditch. But that

stone is the most important stone in the building! The one everything else depends on and needs to line up with – the cornerstone! (v12) Jesus is the one central to all God’s purposes. Jesus’ unique qualifications mean he is the only saviour. No-one else can restore humans to God, for no-one else can stand both on humanity’s side and God’s side. No one else can pay for sin, because no-one else is both the judge and the judged, perfect, and able to take our punishment.

There is only one way to God and Jesus is that way. That is a strong message. Not one which easily sits with our world. We are taught respect must mean accepting everything someone else believes. That love means affirming everything to be true. Peter loves. But he won’t be taken in by that falsehood. If a person is stuck down a hole like in our story last week, and the only way they can get out is on the back of a person who has climbed down to

rescue to them, is that bigoted and unloving to say so? No, it is exclusive – but out of deep love – because that is the only way. That was Jesus’ own message – out of love he says ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except by me.’ (John 14:6) We must love, respect and serve people of other faiths and no faith. But we will not love them by fudging this point. No other religion or way will save someone. Peter says ‘Salvation is found in no one else.’

Again, we see the reaction in the opposite direction. Opposition (13-22) – Silence The council are a bit stunned (v13). These were not men who had been to Bible College. They weren’t ordained. Yet they spoke this way. It’s a lovely line ‘they took note these men had been with Jesus.’ That’s what Jesus does! They are stuck. So they do what we all do – they form a committee! They can’t deny the miracle. The

proof is there. But they don’t want the news to spread. So they seek to silence Peter and John. Not engage, but quash (v18). Yet Peter gets them to answer a question. Which court do we obey? Which authority do we submit to? A human court says stop speaking about Jesus. God’s court says speak! (v19). More than that – their encounter with Jesus has so changed them, a command to stop will just not work! (v20).

We are commanded by the Bible to obey the authorities God puts over us (Romans 13). That command should not be taken lightly. However, while we obey human authorities, there may be times when we are faced with a choice – people say we must do this, or shouldn’t do this, and God says the opposite. Peter shows at those points – God must win. The conclusion. Unsure how to handle things and with further threats issued – Peter and John are released! (v21)

That is where we see the last act by God’s people. God’s People – Prayer How do God’s people respond to this opposition? Battening down the hatches and retracting into their shell? No! By praying to the God they trust is in control. He’s sovereign (v24). The God of creation, revelation, and of history (v24-25). The God who is not caught out by this opposition. But many years before

had spoken of what would happen. That those in power would rise up against his King. The God who has plans, and beforehand is able to work the plans of humans, even their terrible acts, to bring about his plans. It is that confidence that God is in charge. That opposition is not a sign something has gone wrong, or God has stopped loving them. That no matter how things may look, nothing happens for the people of God outside God’s superintendence. That he is always working

circumstances for those who love him. That confidence leads them to pray. Not for vengeance. But boldness. And to work among them in such a way to demonstrate the truth of the message (v30). God loves to answer that prayer! The place was shaken! Ever had that experience in a prayer meeting?! They were empowered afresh by the Spirit and spoke God’s word boldly. Far from silence – they were equipped to proclaim once more.

We need to be clear. To make Jesus’ message of life known, there will be an opposite force. Opposition. Not from everyone. Not all the time. But we should expect it. In fact, the reality that we often don’t experience it, is probably because we aren’t as clear about Jesus as God calls us to be. The world tolerates us, because we are so often the type of church it wants us to be. But the Spirit at work leads to bold proclaiming, to which we ought to expect the opposite reaction.

But not an equal force. For the Spirit moves us to pray to a God who has it all in hand, even if we don’t. Even if we can’t see how he does. A God who moves us to speak, not silence. Let’s pray the Spirit would work the same in us.