Pastor @ mbc’s Weblog

Old Testament Introduction – Part 1 (20th September 09)

There are 66 books in the Bible – 39 of these are in the OT, 27 in the NT.
The OT was written by many different authors, over a period of centuries before the birth of Jesus. It was written in Hebrew, and tells the story of the people of Israel from the beginning until the prophet Malachi.

In the OT there are: 17 books of History; 5 books of Poetry; 17 books of Prophecy. The first 17 books of the OT are History Books, and fall into four sections.

Section 1 – the Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch)
Genesis – creation, fall, flood, call of Abram
Exodus – slavery in Egypt, Moses, plagues, exodus, Sinai & the Law
Leviticus – rules about sacrifice and the priesthood etc
Numbers – disobedience, years in the wilderness
Deuteronomy – covenant renewed, Joshua, the borders of Canaan

Section 2 – The Conquest Period
Joshua – seven year conquest of Canaan, land divided amongst the 12 tribes
Judges – rebellion and sin, Gideon, Samson, Deborah
Ruth – a love story about ordinary people who became ancestors of a king

Section 3 – The United Kingdom Period
1 Samuel – Samuel, Saul becomes king, David chosen as his successor
2 Samuel – King David’s reign, his sin and death
1 Kings – Solomon’s reign, building the temple, kingdom divided
1 Chronicles – a reinterpretation of King David’s reign

Section 4 – Exile and Restoration
2 Kings – division of the kingdom into two, defeat of Israel then Judah
2 Chronicles – the story of the temple in Jerusalem
Ezra – two groups return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple
Nehemiah – A third group returns, and rebuilds the city walls in 52 days
Esther – God protects the Jews who are still in exile

What is the value of the OT ?
Ø It is part of the Word of God to mankind
Ø The NT doesn’t make sense without the OT
Ø There are difficulties; but the Word of God can be trusted
Ø Christians believe in the authority of the Bible (2 Tim 3.16)
Ø Finally, the real value of the OT is in what it tells us about God

Why not use this prayer ? Dear Lord, thank you for your Word in the Old Testament, which is both exciting and challenging. Help us to read it, study it, think about it, and allow it to feed us as we seek to follow Christ today. Amen.

This coming Sunday (20th September), we will be starting an Introduction to the Old Testament, at our 6.30pm service. Have you ever tried to read the Old Testament, and found it confusing, or even baffling? Do you get lost in all the lists of Kings and battles? Have you ever thought that perhaps the Old Testament doesnt really matter now that we have the New? We are going to be looking at how the Old Testament fits together, what its story is all about, and why it is still such an important part of God’s Word. There will be three sessions – all on Sundays at 6.30pm, beginning this week. Later in the year, we will follow this up with an Introduction to the New Testament.

On Sunday Morning, we will continue to look at what God is really like, as we explore “Our Unchanging God”. Should be a good day – come and join us if you can.

Then on 27th September, we will be joining in with the national “Back to Church Sunday” campaign, as we invite old friends to come and share with us in worship. This needs lots of prayer – so get those knee pads into service!

Have a good week – Stephen.

“Did you hear about the font who went to Church? Apparently they told him they didnt want his type in there.”

Facetious question: but how long do you get for murder? A life sentence is about twenty years; but with remission for good behaviour you would probably be out in twelve. In the less serious cases, the sentence is often less – maybe as little as eight years. A whole life tarrif is very rare.

Ok – so that being the case, how come my wife and I have now been married for 32 years?

32 years! It truly does not seem possible that it is almost a third of a century since Nicky and I got married at Thetford Baptist Church in September 1977. That was the year Elvis Presley died, the year Jimmy Carter was elected as US President, the year Concorde made its first commercial flight to New York, the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. It was also the age of flaired trousers (first time round), and my wedding photos show me in a morning suit with long hair and flairs, wearing three inch platform shoes. Oh woe is me!

Anyway, incredible as it seems to me, here we are 32 years later – and Nicky and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary (on Thursday) – hopefully to be joined by our two offspring and our grandson for the day. A life sentence? Ask Nicky!

Last Sunday’s baptism went very well, and it was great to see so many visitors and family members there to support Ted and Alex. It was also good to see the young people back for Sunday Club, for the first time since July. Next Sunday (13th) is our first Parade Service of the new session (at 11am)- and it is also my 3rd anniversary as pastor at MBC. In the evening we will be concluding our long-running series looking at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I do hope you can join us at both morning and evening services – you will be very welcome.  Best wishes, Stephen.

” A good marrieage lasts for ever. A bad marriage just seems to.”

A few years ago, I was talking to some children from a local school about baptism, and I explained how we do things in our baptist churches. One of the children put his hand up and asked “How long do you hold them under for?” Good question. The answer, of course, is “a split second” – but its a split second which makes a life-time of difference. Baptism is a moment of committment and obedience which demonstrates our faith in Jesus, and our willingness to be known a a disciple. It really is a life-changing experience, making a faith which is hidden and private into an open profession. If you love Jesus, and you have never been baptised – why not?
This Sunday, we will share with Ted and Alex Watt-Ruffel, as they both make that step of faith and committment. It will be the fourth baptismal service in my time at Margate, and we need to pray that God will move in many hearts and lives, and that more and more people will respond in faith and obedience. Please come and join us on Sunday morning, and pray that Alex and Ted will be richly blessed and surrounded by love and peace. Pray too for their family and friends, and for all who will share the service with us.
On Monday evening (7th September) there will be a TEAR Fund evening at St Peters Baptist Church (7.30pm) – do come and support it if you can.
Have a good week – Stephen.

“It took a lot of will-power, but I finally managed to give up dieting…”

It was a great weekend – lovely warm sunshine – the chance to visit family – some time with my grandson – fresh air and good food – and above all (of course) the sound of England beating Australia in the Ashes tests. Nicky and I were away for a few days, and very nice it was too – but my closest companion was my pocket radio with the earphone, as I kept track of England’s progress at the Oval run by run and wicket by wicket. Victory, in the end, was swift and satisfying; and we are able at last to enjoy a short period of national gloating, before they (no doubt) thrash us once again in fifteen months time.

The lazy hazy crazy days of summer are fast drawing to an end, and we will soon be back in the hustle and bustle of a busy autumn programme of activities. Before we do that, however, I want to ask everyone to pause and take a day out to pray. Wednesday 2nd September will be our Church’s Day of Prayer. The Church itself will be open from 10am – 12 noon; from 3 – 5pm; and from 8-9pm for people to come and pray. The 8-9pm spot will be our monthly prayer time; and we will be using the day to commit all our work and activity to the Lord. How can we expect God to bless and prosper our plans, if we are not prepared to get on our knees to seek his grace?  Please note down the date, and make your preparations to come and be with us at 8pm; and if at all possible to spend some time in the Church in prayer during the day.

This Sunday (30th August) we will share in the last of Marmaduke’s Mysteries at our 11am Family Service. We will also be joined by some visitors from Hounslow Community Church.  Our 6.30pm service will be led by the Sunset Housegroup as they tell us  about what they have been up to over the past year.

May we all be bowled over by God’s love, and hit for six by his amazing purposes for us…

God bless, Stephen

“I went up in a plane to do a parachute jump, but I dropped out at the last minute.”

Christians know that the Bible is the foundation of their faith. Everything we know about God the Father and his love; everything we know about Jesus the Saviour of the world; everything we know about the Holy Spirit, the Life-giver, comes from the Bible. Without the Bible, where would we be? It is uniquely precious, uniquely powerful, uniquely inspired. And yet, which of us can say that we know the Bible as well as we ought to? Surveys show that only a tiny percentage of regular church-goers actually read the Bible regularly in their own devotional lives. More and more people own a Bible; fewer and fewer people read their Bibles. Its worrying.

One of the problems is that the Bible can be confusing and puzzling for those who dont yet know their way around it. Its not like any other book – in fact it is a collection of 66 books, of many different kinds. Who wrote these books? How do they all fit together? How should I read it with some degree of understanding? There are some huge issues involved in getting to know the Word of God.

This autumn, we are going to run two short courses on Sunday evenings – an Introduction to the Old Testament (September 20th, 27th, & October 4th); and an Introduction to the New Testament (November 22nd, 29th, & December 6th). These will all be at 6.30pm; and will begin with worship, before going on to our main subject. The aim will be to give us all a better grasp of the full sweep of the Bible, and of how it all fits together. I do hope you will come – and try to come to all of the sessions, not just one or two!

This coming Sunday, I will be away, but our Morning Worship (at 11am) will be led by our good friend, Heather Whitehead. In the evening (at 6.30pm), worship will be led by Rev Ewart Graham. It is sure to be a good day – do please try to make it if you can!   Blessings be with you – Stephen.

“I invented a new kind of parachute – it opens on impact!”

Yes, hi folks – its Folk Week again, and Broadstairs is bursting at the seams with people enjoying the music, the dancing and the atmosphere. We have been to one or two concerts – a very good evening on Saturday with an Australian singer/songwriter called Eric Bogle; a wonderful concert by an American singer with an extraordinary name – Devon Sproule; and tonight some clog-dancing and some blue grass dance music at the Bandstand. The Broadstairs Folk Week is a real highlight of the year – it is hard to beat live music, and its great to see families of all ages out enjoying themselves.
At Church we had a very quiet weekend, with so many of our regular congregations away on holiday. This Wednesday (12th) we have a monthly prayer evening at 8pm – I hope you will be able to join us. Then next Sunday (16th) we have Morning Worship at 11am, when we will be continuing with Marmaduke’s Mysteries – the service will also include Communion. In the evening at 6.30pm, we will look at “Relationships” as part of our study in Ephesians.
Have a good week, and come to share with us as we worship God on Sunday!
Every Blessing – Stephen.
“On the menu at a vegetarian restaurant: veg and two veg.”

Phew – it was great to have our grandson Jacob all to ourselves for the weekend, but it did remind me of why young people have babies, and not old fossils like me. Its over 20 years since I last changed a nappy, and I am no better at it now than I was then. Looking after babies is TIRING – and all you mums (and dads) have my heartfelt admiration for the job you do. It was great though…

This week will have two main highlights. On Thursday is John & Pat’s Coffee Day again (where have the last twelve months gone?) – do come and enjoy it if you can, from 1.30pm onwards. Then on Saturday, I shall be taking part in Vivienne Alexander’s ordination service at Newington Free Church – a really happy occasion for Vivienne and the family. She is the second of the students I have been supervising to “fly the nest”, and we wish her every blessing in her new ministry in Shoeburyness.

On Sunday morning we have the second of Marmaduke’s Mysteries to unravel at our Famly Service at 11am; and in the evening we continue our study of Ephesians. Come and worship with us – it would be great to see you. Have a great week ….Stephen
“My wife thinks she is the Queen. I would tell her that she isnt, but that might blow my chances of a knighthood.”

My last post was at the end of May. Since then a lot has happened – including two weeks’ holiday in Cornwall, an outing to the north Kent coast, a flying visit to my grandson in Norwich, many barbeques, and a lot of the usual ups and downs of life. Anyway, after quite a break, I am back – and I really do have the good intention of updating this blog at least once a week. Lets hope I can stick to it this time.
OK, so its the 27th July; and last weekend was quite something. We had the dedication of little Nathaniel at Church on Sunday morning – what a great atmosphere! – followed by a fantastic lunch, kindly provided by Vicky and Ade, with lots of family and friends to enjoy it with them. In the evening we had Cafe Church; and afterwards, Nicky and I went to enjoy the last part of the Jazz Festival down by the harbour. This was a good evening, with a nice crowd, some cool music, and a lot of fun.
Now we are getting ready for a house full of visitors, as our grandson and his retinue descend upon us for a few days. Should be a lot of fun …and what do a few sleepless nights matter?
A camp from Doncaster arrives at MBC on Saturday – lets hope they have a great week in sunny Margate!
On Sunday morning, we have the first of our Summer Special Family Services – look out for the first of “Marmaduke’s Mysteries”.
The next highlight to look out for after that is Pat and John’s Coffee Day on 6th August – always one of the best days of the year.
Enjoy the summer – and look out for updates on here once a week from now on! (I promise….I think) Stephen

“I’m going now, but should I return during my absence, please wait for me until I get back”