WHY THOSE NAMES ARE SO IMPORTANT!

Pastor Peter has taken up the challenge, supported by others, to read though the whole Bible before Easter. We read 15 chapters every morning (except Mondays) from the pulpit starting at 8:30. You are welcome to join us in what is proving to be a wonderful blessing from God.

Every day, we are being reminded that “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Recently, we reached 1 Chronicles which was written after Judah’s return from exile in Babylon in the 5th to 4th century BC. The book, possibly authored by Ezra, emphasises God’s ongoing purposes for His people in the light of His promises in the past, especially to David.

To establish the identity of God’s people, 1 Chronicles opens with long genealogies (chapters 1-9). For people returning from exile to reclaim their heritage, this was immensely important. Going right back to Adam, through the development of 12 tribes from Jacob’s 12 sons, and right up to their recent experience of God’s judgement, the Chronicler sets the scene for new hope.

Just as the people then faced a time of change and challenge, so do we Christians in terms of knowing who we are, learning from history, needing one another and facing the future boldly!

Although long lists of names like the one in chapters 1-9 can seem quite boring to us (if we’re honest!) they were important to people at the time. Here, at the beginning of Chronicles, they establish the identity of the returning exiles. People can only know where they are going when they know who they are and where they have come from.

“Jesus knew … that He had come from God (identity) and was returning to God (destiny) so He got up and began to wash his disciples’ feet.” (John 13:3-5)

There is a really important message in that long list of names: We cannot serve God and move ahead into His future for us unless we are secure about who we are in Christ.

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Speakers for Sunday Services in February

 1:    a.m.        Rev Peter Cho

                   p.m.        Rev Richard Harrison

 8:    a.m.        Rev Peter Cho

        p.m.         Mr John Gibby

15:  a.m.        Rev Peter Cho

          p.m.        Rev Derek Rapps

22:  a.m.         Rev Peter Cho

          p.m.        Dr. Chris Palmer

Diary Dates for February

          Thursday 12:    12.30 p.m.  Luncheon Club 

                Monday 16:    7.00 p.m.  Men’s Fellowship 

           Tuesday 24:      10.00 a.m.  Deacons’ meeting 

                 Wednesday 25:   7.00 p.m.  Joint Deacons’ meeting 

       Thursday 26:  12.30 p.m.  Luncheon Club 

                          7.00 p.m.  Gwyn Ashill