GRACE – IT COST GOD SO MUCH!
(Mark 8: 31-38)
Theologian and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer identified an important fact when he spoke of how people prefer “cheap grace” to real, “costly grace: “Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner.”*
Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
This cheap grace can be a huge threat to our own spiritual lives. Instead of opening up the way to Christ it can block it. Instead of calling us to follow Christ, it can freeze us in our disobedience.
Bonhoeffer also contrasts cheap grace with costly grace by affirming that costly grace is what it is because it cost God His life. As disciples it should also cost us our life, by obediently following Jesus. Yet, Jesus’ words still ring true for us today. Those who deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him realise that life is gained by losing it. This is the eternal truth that underpins the cross.
Just as Jesus served others, we too must rise above our own self-interest and narrow outlook to share the love of Jesus with others and be sensitive to any cries for help whether practical or spiritual.
So dear friends, speak and live the message of the cross. In giving of yourself unconditionally; in sacrificing your time, talents, and resources; in loving each person you meet as if they were Jesus himself; in giving your life away you will gain a new, wonderful life in Christ.
*The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, SCM Press 2015
Speakers for Sunday Services in May
7th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Pastor Peter Palmer
14th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Pastor Peter Palmer
21st: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Pastor Peter Palmer
28th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Pastor Peter Palmer
On Sunday evenings, Pastor Peter Palmer is continuing the study on Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians.
Dates for your diary:
Wednesday 3rd: 7.00 p.m. Deacons’ meeting
“ 10th: 7.00 p.m. Church Business Meeting
“ 17th: 7.00 p.m. ‘Tool Box’ at Bethesda
Friday 19th: 11.00 a.m. Evangelism group 1
meet at Manor House, 41 Manor Park
“ 2.00 p.m. Evangelism group 2 (Pat & Marjorie’s)
meet at church
Thursday 25th: 7.00p.m. Ascension Day Service
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Tuesday, 16th: 2.00p.m. GBA Officers’ Meeting at Tabernacle
COMMUNITY LUNCHEON CLUB will be held on Thursdays 11th and 25th May
FAREWELL TO LEAH
We bid farewell on Wednesday, 3rd May to Boston, Massachusetts theological student Leah Smith who has been a guest at Tabernacle since January. Leah has been active in the children’s and youth work, evangelistic outreach and Community Luncheon Club during her four month stay while she has been getting a taste of life in a South Wales valleys fellowship. Please pray for Leah that she will have a safe journey home and that God will guide her as she seeks to serve the Lord in the future.
TIME TO OPEN TOOL BOX
The Gwent Baptist Association has arranged a series of six monthly mission training sessions for churches using the Baptist Union of Wales Tool Box.Bethesda Baptist Church, Rogerstone will host the sessions which will be run by the Rev. Simeon Baker, Director of Mission for the BUW.. The first will be held on Wednesday, 17th May (7-9p.m.).
Association secretary Geoff Champion said: “Tool Box is a series of bite-size sessions to help us think about how our churches can share the love of Jesus. Each evening will be a mix of presentation, interaction and discussion. We hope as many as possible will attend and then be inspired to take the gospel into our local communities.”
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