March 2011 Newsletter

Verse of the Month

"...always being ready to give an account for the hope that is in you."

1 Peter 3:15

 

Focus
 

There are a few different Greekwords in the New Testament translated “preach”.  The following are some thoughts about two of them.

A. KERUSSO “To proclaim as a herald”. 

This word emphasises the MANNER of the preaching.  A herald (originally) was an official who made a proclamation on behalf of a king.  “To proclaim”  indicates an official announcement made plainly and publicly (one of the root words of proclaim means “to cry out”).
The Lord Himself used this word to His disciples in Mark 16:15.  “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to EVERY CREATURE”.  In verse 20 “They went out and preached EVERYWHERE”. This message is totally inclusive.
Note that the commission of Mark 16 came immediately after He rebukes the disciples for their unbelief and hardness of heart.  Their commission is our commission.
Think of the encouragement in the following:
V 15 “He said”  - The Lord’s commission
V 17 “My name” - The Lord’s authority
V 20 “The Lord working with them” - The Lord’s presence.
Are we needing rebuked or are we proclaiming the message PLAINLY and CLEARLY to all.

B. EUANGELIZO  “To announce a joyful message”.  Or as in Luke 4 : 18 “To preach good news” (N.I.V.)

This word emphasises the MATTER of the preaching.  A message that brings cheer to the hearers.  In 1 Corinthians 15 v 1 Paul says “I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you  (v2) by which also you are saved  (v3)Christ died for our sins  (v4)He was buried  (v5)He rose again the third day.”
What a message!  A message of good news: sin dealt with; a risen Saviour and sins forgiven.
In Galatians 1 v 16 Paul tells of the reason why God had called him  “To reveal His Son in me, that I may preach HIM.”

What a message we have been called to declare, what a person to tell about!

                

 

For Your Information

SUNDAYS

18.30 - Evening Service
 6th: G. Burns - Kilmarnock
 13th: M. Watson - Dreghorn  
 20th: D. Galloway - Dumbarton
          (PRAISE NIGHT - Refreshments afterwards)
 27th: J. Locke - TCF 

 9th:      David                                                                                                                    
 23rd:    David                               
 30th:    David
 

THURSDAYS

19.30 - Prayer +
3rd:  Romans ch. 2. - S. Leitch (Auchinleck)      
10th: Bible teaching - John Clunas (U.S.A.)
17th: No Public Meeting
24th: Report - Gideons.   
31st* : NO MEETING (see ‘Special Occasions’)

FRIDAYS 

Anytime 10.30 - 12.00 - Coffee Morning

 

Special Events This Month

CHRISTIANITY EXPLORED
This will continue on the Tuesdays of this month. 19:30 - 21:00

SATURDAY 19th at 11:00 & 12:00
Prayer Meeting & Open Air Witness (Saltcoats Town Centre)

MONDAY 21st at 19:30 
LADIES NIGHT
Speaker: Lisa Bramley (Ayr)

31st* The meeting scheduled for the 31st is re-scheduled to
TUESDAY 29th.
Prayer+ Bible Teaching.
Romans ch. 3. Speaker: A. Sinclair (Crosshouse).

 

Other News This Month

PLANNING FOR HALL EXTENSION
We were delighted to receive Planning permission for the Hall Extension. Hopefully work can begin fairly soon.

RUTH
Ruth has now been in Bolivia for over a month and we are pleased to get regular updates that she is well and enjoying her new sphere of service.

FUTURE EVENTS
The Leaders for the AYRSHIRE YOUTH CAMP will be meeting together from 4th-5th to prepare for the Camp  in July.  Please remember them in your prayers.  Also keep the ROOFDIGGER’S WEEKEND (Easter) in your prayers.