Posts Tagged: ‘Revelation’

An Image of God

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during September 2024]

You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
Deuteronomy 5 v11 [NLT]

How do you react when someone mentions God in your presence? Do you ignore it, dismissing it as blasphemy or ignorance, or does some sort of image come to mind? Perhaps you recall that mankind was made in the image of God but, as we look around at the various shapes and sizes of people, we feel inclined to be somewhat selective in trying to reimagine God. (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Believe It, Or Not

[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2024]

Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.

This proclamation is known as the Memorial Acclamation and it has its formal origin in the liturgy of several of the early Eastern denominations. More recently it has been adopted by many of the major western denominations.[1] Whilst it is primarily used in communion services it is a simple statement of faith that is appropriate for many other occasions. (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

What Can We Glean from This?

[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2024]

During the past few weeks we have enjoyed a teaching series based on the book of Ruth. Four sermons and one ‘Going Deeper’ have given us plenty of things to think about.

However, is it appropriate to simply ‘enjoy’ these sermons? Indeed what is the purpose of a sermon? Is it simply a clause in the pastor’s contract of employment? Should it be more than an interlude of verbal entertainment? (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

What Comes After Pentecost?

[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 02/Jun/2024]

Martin’s article last week reminded me that the previous week had been about the Jewish Feast or Festival of Pentecost. I had been ill that day and not been at church to be reminded of that. That also made me think of an excellent article by Helen Ruffhead in which she told how a number of Jewish Festivals related to our Christian faith. At Pentecost when the Jews celebrated the revelation of God’s word to Moses, God revealed His Holy Spirit and the Christian church was born. So how do all these Jewish Feasts or Festivals have meaning for us as Christians? (more…)

Contributor: Michael Goble

Advent or Advert?

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during December 2023]

In the more-established western denominations of the Church the period of approximately four weeks prior to Christmas is called ‘Advent’. Essentially, Advent means ‘coming’ and it is a time during which the Church’s adherents are encouraged to think about the coming of Jesus into the world. Many Churches organise special events, such as carol services, during this season. (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys