Posts Tagged: ‘Matthew’

How’s Your Enemy?

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during April 2026]

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy’. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Matthew 5 v43-44 [ESVUK]

These words come from Matthew’s account of the teachings of Jesus collectively known as the Sermon on the Mount. He was speaking in the context of a nation under occupation at a time when there was no shortage of enemies and persecution.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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Categories: Easter Reflections, Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: , ,

Recognising Jesus

[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 29/Mar/2026]

‘Connect in Faith’ has recently been looking at the names or titles of Jesus and I have been struck by how often these names were given to him by people outside the Jewish faith. It was astrologers from the East who first called him a king (Matthew 2:2) and a Roman centurion who called him Lord (Matthew 8:6).
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Contributor: Helen Ruffhead
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Let’s Suppose that Jesus Came in This Century

[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 22/Mar/2026]

There is no doubt that Jesus first came to this world at the best time, as He had decided. The city of Rome and its emperors ruled over a vast empire including Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, and our country too. The Romans had built a massive road network for their army to keep control over the whole area, and as a result there was peace over the whole empire. If God was going to bring the truth of His Kingdom into the world in people’s hearts it was 2000 years ago.
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Contributor: Michael Goble
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Forty Thoughtful Days

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during February 2026]

So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
Ezra 8 v23 [ESVUK]

In her reflection on Sunday, Helen wrote about the period of Lent. She drew a comparison between Lent and Ramadan and concluded with a prayer that all who are earnestly seeking God will indeed find him.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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A Birthday Prayer

[A miscellaneous reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during December 2025]

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3 v16 [ESVUK]

To my Father, who is in heaven, epitome of holiness, worthy of all glory and respect, by whose word heaven and earth were created and are maintained; the very essence of love, patience and justice; you are unwilling for anyone to perish and so you sent your Son to provide a way back to you;
I give you thanks.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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What Word Is It This Advent?

[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 21/Dec/2025]

I was interested to see during recent services that each Advent candle was given a name when it was lit. We’ve also received a Christmas card this year with four named candles on the front – peace, hope, love, joy.
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Contributor: Michael Goble
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