Well? Did you experience the Roofdiggers Weekend in Stevenston this year?

The weekend has finally come to a close (for some of us) after 4 days of Roofdiggers in Stevenston. There have been so many highlights of the weekend as I look back and personally reflect on the weekend. In no ranking order they are;

 The Truth was preached faithfully;

Over the various meetings, in the open street, via the web, in bus adverts & in the written word The Truth was proclaimed in the Stevenston area. People will now need to make up their own minds. Do they accept the Truth or go on believing the lie. Go on accepting the kind of life that always leaves us asking for more & never addresses the problem of sin or take God at His Word. This is the work of The Holy Spirit now and I will leave it there. TCF are praying people who heard The word will realise the Truth and take Christ as their Saviour.

The praise and worship from the Praise Nights was fantastic;

Sometimes as a christian I get so used to what God has and is doing in my life – I very much take it for granted. It was great to focus all our attention and singing on my Lord Jesus and what He has done. The singing was just fantastic over the weekend. Both praise nights were brilliant but Sunday night in particular was a stand-out. Despite what we’re like – He has done all things well. He has placed my feet on higher ground and has given me a new song. He deserves all the praise and the glory.

The number reached with the Gospel;

Over 4000 leaflets distributed. All Stagecoach buses in the area carrying God’s Word. The Open Air Services in both towns but in particular Saltcoats.  Over 500 people in the Hall over the weekend. Many from the 3 towns at the meetings and many new contacts made as a result of the weekend’s outreach. Our simple prayer in the lead up to the Weekend was that God would speak loudly in the area. I can confidently say that He answered our prayer. Asking folk to sit on the platform, bunch up on the seats & make sure any free seats were called out was fantastic – this doesn’t normally happen when the Gospel is being preached!

The response of those helping;

The absolute resolve of everyone at the weekend, young and old working together for the sake of the Gospel was a real encouragement. From Friday morning all through to last thing Monday evening we toiled together. It was an Easter Bank holiday weekend. Families could have been away all weekend on holiday but they chose to get involved with the Roofdiggers weekend with enthusiasm & a real joy. The enthusiasm for the whole event was tangible, it was real – you can’t mimic this. From the work in the kitchen, the band, the singing, the preaching – even the BBQ this afternoon – We did it as to The Lord. Thank you to everyone involved.

The prayer meetings;

All through last week & over the weekend the prayer was real and we laid hold of God. To hear old and young alike just praying with a focus that sometime eludes our formal prayer meetings was such an encouragement. God delights to answer prayer!

A personal appreciation;

The is a very personal highlight (but I think others will agree), hearing Karen, Jennifer, Sarah & Sophie sing together for their Saviour at the open air in Saltcoats and witness the street coming to a standstill – will last with me for a very long time. No need to worry about Britain’s Got Talent – TCF’s has Talent. Just keep singing for your Saviour girls!

Well I’m signing off from the Roofdiggers blog for this year. I hope you have enjoyed them. Our next Praise Night is on the 15^th of May. The speaker is a guy called Paul Coxall from Aberdeen. If you’re free I would encourage you to come along. You will hear Words that will give life!

One last point – shortly we will have a slide show from the weekend as well. Keep a look out.

Lord Teach us to pray!

This was the request of one of the disciples to The Lord Jesus when he was with them after He had prayed (Luke 11). What an amazing request!

The Lord Jesus said to His disciples “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” James in his letter near the end of the new testament said “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective”.

For the Christian prayer is the means by which he/she can speak to God. It is vital and crucial in our relationship with God. Without prayer we are just a group of people who meet like any other club or association.

As a church we have been meeting for prayer each night as we prepare for the Roofdiggers Weekend. We do this because we are powerless to effect anything. We think it’s vital that our local community hears the true message of the Gospel & the Easter message. There has already been many invites personally given to individuals to come along to the meetings. There will be thousands of invites given out over a whole variety of methods this weekend. Through doors, at various open Air services, via Facebook and personally by many in our church. Our simple prayer is that God saves individuals over this weekend. That God’s voice is heard in the 3 towns over everything else that will go on in our community.

The prayer meetings have been fantastic. Have you ever been in a room and conscious of God’s presence. Aware that He was with us and present as we strived to lay hold of Him. You might be reading this and having a bit of a laugh – laugh away. It matters not one bit that people think we are mad. What matters is our total dependence on God. Without Him we will just have a busy weekend. With Him – something for eternity can be achieved.

I have a definition of madness which might differ from yours – living your life for yourself and leaving God on the sideline. Ploughing all my effort into things that run out and never last. Putting more emphasis on things that are transient and never really satisfy compared to living for God and preparing for eternity! Jim Elliot said “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” He lost his life living for Jesus & thousands found Christ as a result of his sacrifice.

The Easter message with be preached in all the meetings in TCF this weekend. Will you come along and hear words whereby you might be saved?

I really have no idea who is reading these blogs. Perhaps you’re already a christian and you are rejoicing in The Lord as you do. Perhaps you are reading the material with a heavy heart knowing you used to run well for Jesus and for whatever reason you are far from your Saviour right now. Maybe you are reading this stuff over recent days and it is totally new to you. Whatever your situation why not come along and hear the message. Even better tell Him you’re sorry and He will answer your prayer. Jesus is given all the praise and we will simply preach a message which is powerful and able to change your life. What’s more important than this?

We hope you can make it. We are praying that you will.

How many times... I told you so!

How frustrating is it when you keep telling people about something that is going to happen and they don’t listen? When the event takes place it seems to catch them by surprise. Even though you told them about it! Maybe it’s just me, but it can be very annoying. From a human perspective I’ve often wondered how frustrated God was and is when we don’t listen. The bible tell me He is actually long suffering and patient. I think this is such a blessing we take very much for granted.

The birth, life, death and resurrection of The Lord Jesus was told over and over again across the writers of what christians now call the Old Testament. There are literally hundreds of predictions made, some thousands of years before Jesus was born telling Israel what would happen – and not just passing reference. Some are in minute detail.

If you’re wondering about the accuracy of what I’ve just said. I am going to ask you to do some reading just to prove this. If you have a bible read the following –

Psalm 22

Isaiah 53

& the account of the death of The Lords Jesus in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 & John 20. It will take about 30 mins. If you don’t have a bible you can use Bible Gateway.com. http://www.biblegateway.com/

Please bear in mind that Psalm 22 would be written as much as 1000 years before Jesus birth. Isaiah 53 about 735 years before. Look at their accounts of the suffering and humiliation of the person in the passage & then compare this to the experience of Jesus on the cross. David describes the physical sufferings of crucifixion even to the point of piercing hands and feet at a time when crucifixion wasn’t even known about.

All through the gospels (the 4 accounts of the life of Jesus when he was on this earth) there are references about scripture being fulfilled.

Despite all this when Jesus came to the earth and was born in Bethlehem – the religious leaders failed to recognise him. When he was here he stood up and read in the temple the following passage from Isaiah – again written some 700 years before. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed. To proclaim the year of the Lord's favour” He actually told them that this scripture was fulfilled as they listened to Him read the passage. They tried to kill Him!

This old world hasn’t changed much. Despite the bible, despite Christians living for God, despite their witness and testimony – People still don’t see who Jesus is.

If you have read the 4 chapters about the crucifixion – as you read remember he willingly went through what He did for you and me. He gave up everything – what is your response?

Crucifixion

One of the most cruel modes of punishment and torture was undoubtedly crucifixion. It’s thought to have been first introduced by the Persians, adopted by Alexander from his journeys and perfected by the Romans who used it extensively. Normally it would be a scene of cursing and agony as the victims of this horrible death were nailed to a cross of wood. The death of The Lord Jesus was so different from this in many ways.

Roman Legionnaires would be responsible for carrying out crucifixions. They would feel for the depression at the front of the wrist and once found would drive a heavy, square, wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. They would move to the other side and repeat the action being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some movement. The left foot is now pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. The Victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails, excruciating pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain. As the victim pushes himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places his full weight on the nails through his feet. Again there is the searing agony of the nails tearing through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of the feet.

At this point, as the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push upward. Hanging by his arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed and the intercostal muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. The victim would fight to raise himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and blood stream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in the life-giving oxygen. As time goes on it becomes much, much harder with each breath needing every ounce of strength to make.

Despite all this Jesus only makes 7 cries from his death on the cross.

1. Father, Forgive Them, They don’t know what they are doing.
(Luke 23:34) – His heart toward his enemies. Despite that fact that he was taken without any cause and subjected to this horrible, painful death – He prays to His Father to forgive them.

2. This Day You Will Be with Me in Paradise
(Luke 23:43) – His assurance to the repentant. He takes the time to speak to those who are searching for Him. Despite the circumstances. Such is His love

3. Dear woman, here is your son. Here is your mother
(John 19:26-27) – His care for his family. Mary’s last recorded words in the bible are – “Do whatever he tells you!” Great advice for everyone. He takes time to ensure His mother is looked after.

4. My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?
(Mark 15:34) – His first and only experience of being separated from God. It was our Sin that caused this. The horror of the cross for Jesus was not the pain despite that fact that it would be unbearable. It was His separation from God. He had never experienced this before. He endured what we deserve. He was forsaken so that we could be forgiven.

5. I Thirst
(John 19:28) – His expression of his humanity. This was not a simple experience He has to go through. He was in real physical pain and the experience of the inability to breathe properly was taking it’s toll.

6. It Is Finished
(John 19:30) – His declaration of a completed mission. The Cross was a victory and planned before the foundation of the world. He was made sin for us. He bore the awful wrath that we deserve and God was satisfied.

7. Father, into Your Hands I commit My Spirit
(Luke 23:46) – His surrender and entrance to His Father's presence. He had to willingly give up His Spirit. Death could not take Him.

The reaction of the Roman Centurion, the man responsible for the crucifixion saw something he had never seen before. He would have seen probably thousands of crucifixions but none had been like this. During the middle of the day there was complete darkness. He had heard the cry for God by Jesus from the cross. As he saw Jesus die he said “Surely He was The Son of God”

What is your reaction?. Jesus gave up everything for us. What about you? Will you be like the crowd and the religious rulers they shouted “Crucify Him, Crucify Him”. Oh that it was like the hymn writer Isaac Watts –

Alas! and did my Savior bleed,
and did my Sovereign die?
Would he devote that sacred head
for such a worm as I? 

Was it for crimes that I have done,
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree! 

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
and shut its glories in,
when God, the mighty maker, died
for his own creature's sin. 

Thus might I hide my blushing face
while his dear cross appears;
dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
and melt mine eyes to tears. 

But drops of tears can ne'er repay
the debt of love I owe.
Here, Lord, I give myself away;
'tis all that I can do. 

Have you ever wondered how?

It’s dead easy to mock or criticise something without actually looking into the detail. It happens all the time in the media with people taking positions to condemn something, without taking the time to know the full truth. People flock to join the crowd - the mentality being, the majority are normally correct. As a Christian, my perspective is, that this happens all the time with the bible or The Lord Jesus. It’s trendy and something the crowd always do when asked their opinion about Jesus. Despite the fact that most don’t really know too much about Him or His teachings.

I have to admit that as Christians we don’t help ourselves. Very often we do the exactly same things when asked about something. We take our “denominational and traditional views” without looking into the particular issue with any great detail. Maybe we have a lesson to learn and not be the first to cast stones – I’m sure Jesus said something about this. John chapter 8 if you’re interested. We Christians have a lot to learn!

When it comes to Jesus and His message when He was here on earth (aside from scripture this is a historical fact by the way!). Have you ever wondered how an individual born into a poor family in one of the worst parts of Israel has had such an impact on the world we live in? How this individual with no modern method of communication, no political party and no apparent physical means has been at the head of one of the fastest growing religions over the past 2000 years. Please note I am not talking about any particular church or denomination here but the universal church which is His body.

How an individual with no university or recognised training could teach what He did from the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5,6 & 7? – teaching that no-one had ever heard before, teaching that’s recognised by any who take the time to read it as revolutionary and as up-to-date as our daily newspaper.

How someone by dying on a cross could have the impact He has had on this world – our diary originates from his death, our laws are based on the teachings from the bible. A lot of the changes for good in our society stem from individuals who have been motivated and influenced by those who followed Christ. The abolition of slavery, much of our charitable work and missionary work across the world are good examples.

When Jesus was alive – the establishment of the day just saw a carpenter. To them He was only the “son” of Mary & Joseph. Someone who was poor and from a place like Nazareth. Our modern day society is really no different from the religious leaders who were about in Jesus’s day. In fact, they were having a debate about Jesus and they were prepared to make a fool of those who were following Him, prepared to curse them. Nicodemus stood up for Jesus in this situation and said “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?”

This question from Nicodemus is exactly what our Easter weekend meetings at TCF are about. They are an opportunity for people who don’t really know much about Jesus to find out a little more to help them make a reasoned decision about who He is.

If you are wondering what I think in relation to the question how – Jesus is the Eternal Son of The Eternal God. He is The I Am of the bible, The First and The Last, The Alpha and Omega. His visit to this earth, His death, burial & glorious resurrection was part of God’s perfect plan. His ascension marked the start of God day of Grace, The establishment of his Church and the gates of hell will not overcome it. Just in case you thought I was sitting on the fence.

Find out more at TCF this Easter Weekend. 7.30pm on the 23^rd & 24^th of April.