What Day is it Today?

Sunday

What Date is it? March 1st

Anything special?

St David‘s day Patron saint of Wales

Other Saints Patrick

Andrew

George

What do Wales, St George and China share?

Dragons

Back to..

Who or what is a Saint?

Look at your NIV It does not contain the word “saint”

Who or what is a Saint? Look at your NIV It does not contain the word “saint” WHY??

AV/KJV RSV All do AV 95 times RSV 87 times

So what is the problem? Saints are misunderstood

So what is the problem? Saints are misunderstood Roman Catholic Church lists 810 saints Wikipedia King Canute King Charles 1 Many Popes...

How does one become a saint? Having been prayed to, Something special happens

How does one become a saint? Having been prayed to, Something special happens Brought to the notice of (usually) the Pope Who decides to canonise the person and then people can pray to him /her This process started in about 11 th Century

How does one become a saint? Having been prayed to, Something special happens Brought to the notice of (usually) the Pope Who decides to canonise the person and then people can pray to him /her This process started in about 11 th Century What is wrong with this?

Absolutely everything! - NOT in the Bible

Speak to Queen, Prime Minister, or even a CEO Make an appointment through a PA or a secretary You would not expect to speak directly

Speak to Queen, Prime Minister, or even a CEO Make an appointment through a PA or a secretary You would not expect to speak directly Unless you were special!

BUT

We have direct access to God! Jesus taught (Lord’s prayer) “Pray like this… “..

We have direct access to God! Jesus taught “Pray like this… “Our permanent secretary who art almost in heaven..

We have direct access to God! Jesus taught “Pray like this… “Our Father who art in heaven..” No middle man

Romans ch 5 V1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

No middle man 1 Timothy 2 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

NIV and saints It was because of these errors that the NIV translators did not want to use a word which has been badly misunderstood

NIV It was because of these errors the NIV translators did not want to use a word which has been misunderstood The NIV uses “holy ones” Or “Gods people

Acts 9:13 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) 13 ‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.

Acts 9:13 New King James Version (NKJV) 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

Ephesians 1 New King James Version (NKJV) v1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1 New King James Version (NKJV) v1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi

Philippians 1 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) v1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi

You are holy! 1 Peter 2:8-10 ( Message) But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

Holy ?? Means “set apart” Same root Greek word used in “saints” “hagios”

You are set apart! £

S A I N T

You are set apart! S et A part I n New T hinking

You are holy! 1 Peter 2:8-10 ( Message) But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

You are holy! 1 Peter 2:8-10 ( Message) But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

You are set apart! S et A part I n New T hinking You are a saint!

Who says you are a saint?

God does

Stained glass

Summary If you are a Christian You are a saint Now On earth (not in heaven) You have been set aside for God, by God We can talk to God directly We should live noticeably different lives We should let the light in!

Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious; See the Man of Sorrows now! From the fight returned victorious, Every knee to Him shall bow. Crown Him! Crown Him! Crowns become the Victor's brow.

2. Crown the Saviour! Angels, crown Him! Rich the trophies Jesus brings; On the seat of power enthrone Him While the vault of heaven rings. Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown the Saviour King of kings.

3. Sinners in derision crowned Him, Mocking thus the Saviour's claim; Saints and angels crowd around Him, Own His title, praise His name. Crown Him! Crown Him! Spread abroad the Victor's fame!

4. Hark, those bursts of acclamation! Hark, those loud triumphant chords! Jesus takes the highest station; Oh, what joy the sight affords! Crown Him! Crown Him! King of kings and Lord of lords