Blessed assurance - Jesus is mine
The Service started with the hymn “Blessed assurance”
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/308#ixzz382UhxAwh
The Readings were;
Sermon by Emma
This week we were greeted by some good news with the announcement of women bishops finally being agreed and staffrooms up and down the country were greeted with news that Michael Gove had been removed as the education minister.
Our joy was quickly dimmed by news of the air crash in the Ukraine and the continuing wars and conflicts abroad. The media treated the air crash like it was extra bad because there had been aid workers and children on board the flight, but whether there are terrorists, or aid workers or children in tragedies it shouldn’t make a difference because we are all human beings.
The letter proudly claims children are worth more than one week of test results, but what about our own worth?
Do we see ourselves as worth more than our achievements?
Last week Pope Francis claimed that he was a sinner when asked who he was, but Emma responded by saying that we are all children of God. We are Christians and God’s Spirit dwells within us and because of this we are free from proving ourselves to anyone.
Free to live a Christian life.
But there are hard questions! People ask what kind of God allows evil and suffering?
It tells of huge numbers of women each day dying in child birth - 5 jumbo jets worth!
These are horrific figures but what do we do about it? Well we can tell everyone about it. We are free agents of change.
What injustice shocks you and what are you going to do about it?
If asked “Where is God in Niger?” we would respond by saying – in the hospitals, in the aid workers, in the churches. God is within these suffering lives – he is in this church. He is in you inspiring you! The whole earth in in labour pains and we are told in revelation that Jesus on his return will restore everything.
Here at Christ church we will wait with hope, patience and determination. God's Spirit lives within us. We pray that He may open our eyes so we can give Hope to others.
