Does John 6 teach “Eating is Believing”?

By On March 3, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

Literally, it is a false statement – in John 6 literal eating is not the way of true belief. On the other hand, the discourse functions to show that eating is a metaphor for believing and in this sense the metaphor is perhaps better inverted: in John 6 believing is eating.

In chapter 6:53ff., the evangelist is not emphasising the importance of the eucharist but pointing to an abiding belief in the ‘flesh and bloodness’ of the incarnation, which is the true end of all eucharistic rites and Christian discipleship.This means that if John 6 is not about the eucharist, the eucharist is undoubtedly about John 6.

–David Gibson, in a helpful journal article

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Communion Song

By On March 3, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away,
Slain for us: and we remember
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgiveness at the cross.

So we share in this Bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice,
As a sign of our bonds of peace
Around the table of the King.

The body of our Savior, Jesus Christ,
Torn for you: eat and remember
The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life,
Paid the price to make us one.

The blood that cleanses every stain of sin,
Shed for you: drink and remember
He drained death’s cup that all may enter in
To receive the life of God.

And so with thankfulness and faith
We rise to respond: and to remember.
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ
As His body here on earth.

As we share in His suffering,
We proclaim: Christ will come again!
And we’ll join in the feast of heaven
Around the table of the King.

Keith, Getty, Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright 2007 Thankyou Music

 

How should Christians think about their calling?

By On March 2, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

(It is Friday; you partnered with Jesus in His renewal this week!)

“Jesus is on this amazing, comprehensive mission of bringing about the renewal of all things. We have the opportunity to participate with God in this work of renewal, and one crucial way we do this is through our work. We often lack a robust sense of how we participate in God’s mission through our vocation. I hope Christians will be inspired and equipped to live missionally for the kingdom of God through their work. We spend 40 to 50 percent of our lives working, and we don’t want to miss out on such a big slice of what the Lord would have us do.”. —Amy Sherman

More here

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Monthly Prayer Meeting

By On March 2, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

Come pray at the church office 6pm Sunday.

 

Bread is simple and simply necessary

By On March 1, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

“It is to us not the luxury of refinement, but the staple food of life. We need no fine words when the heart is heavy, neither do we need deep problems when we are lying upon the verge of eternity, weak in body and tempted in mind. At such times we magnify the blessed simplicity of the Gospel! Jesus in the flesh made manifest becomes our soul’s bread. Jesus bleeding on the Cross, a Substitute for sinners, is our soul’s drink. This is the Gospel for babes—and strong men need no more.”

–Charles Spurgeon