John 7-12: Who is Jesus that we should follow him?

Who is Jesus that we should follow him? The one who Satisfies Does not condemn Is the light of the world Brings freedom Is Yahweh Redeems suffering

How do we speak of Jesus?

John 9 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam”. So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. John 9 34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

John 9 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him.

John 9 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him.

What is worship? Words and songs of thankfulness Words and songs of honour, praise and submission Offerings... 1 Chronicles Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendour of his holiness. John 9 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him.

Worshipping with an offering Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him... bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD Deuteronomy No one should appear before the LORD empty–handed: 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. Giving something to God An ability to bless/build up What we can do And what is needed

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found a way to serve." Albert Schweitzer

Worshipping with an offering Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him... bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD Deuteronomy No one should appear before the LORD empty–handed: 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. Giving something to God An ability to bless/build up Resource to be used

Worshipping with an offering Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him... bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD Deuteronomy No one should appear before the LORD empty–handed: 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. Giving something to God Unique and Personally related to what God has given us An ability to bless/build up Resource to be used

Worshipping with an offering Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him... bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD... No one should appear before the LORD empty– handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. Giving freely not a set price or tax A response to God Exodus 25 2 The Lord Said "Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give.”

Worshipping with an offering Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him... bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD... No one should appear before the LORD empty– handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. Giving freely not a set price or tax A response to God 2 Corinthians 9 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. A sign of love

Worshipping with an offering Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him... bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD... No one should appear before the LORD empty– handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.... give what is decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Value is the heart’s attitude not the gift Luke 21 2 Jesus also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 ”I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 2 Corinthians 8 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

“God judges what we give by what we keep.” G. Mueller.

Worshipping with an offering Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him... bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD... No one should appear before the LORD empty– handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.... give what is decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver... For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Humbly not for attention or reward Matthew 6 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

Worshipping with an offering Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him... bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD... No one should appear before the LORD empty– handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.... give what is decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver... For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have... But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give to the temple (church) 1 Chronicles 29 3 David said; “In my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple

Worshipping with an offering Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him... bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD... No one should appear before the LORD empty– handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.... give what is decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver... For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have... But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.. give personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God Give to the temple (church) Isaiah 58 6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice… 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him And to the poor

Will you seek to …? Live - as a Christ bearer where you are Renewal Sunday - A time to renew Pray - for others and the Church Care - for those around you Give - to enable others to do Attend - to encourage others by your presence Invite - others to what will be helpful for them Serve - where you can

Can help a bit more with …? Live - as a Christ bearer where you are Summer 2011 Pray - for others and the Church Care - for those around you Give - to enable others to do Attend - to encourage others by your presence Invite - others to what will be helpful for them Serve - where you can

Can help a bit more with …? Live - as a Christ bearer where you are Summer 2011 Pray - for others and the Church Care - for those around you Give - to enable others to do Attend - to encourage others by your presence Invite - others to what will be helpful for them Serve - where you can Praying regularly for the Church, its mission and its needs

Can help a bit more with …? Live - as a Christ bearer where you are Summer 2011 Pray - for others and the Church Care - for those around you Give - to enable others to do Attend - to encourage others by your presence Invite - others to what will be helpful for them Serve - where you can Caring for those around you

Can help a bit more with …? Live - as a Christ bearer where you are Summer 2011 Pray - for others and the Church Care - for those around you Give - to enable others to do Attend - to encourage others by your presence Invite - others to what will be helpful for them Serve - where you can Serving: commit to a generation

Can help a bit more with …? Live - as a Christ bearer where you are Summer 2011 Pray - for others and the Church Care - for those around you Give - to enable others to do Attend - to encourage others by your presence Invite - others to what will be helpful for them Serve - where you can Giving: cover those who have had to give less

Finances 2010 General Fund Income: £468,683 No external grants Deficit 2010aprox. £6500 Gift aid of £89,170 £ 542 a month

Finances 2011 General Fund: currently running deficit Jan-April £2088 £522 a month

reasons Some giving dropping - Retirement and financial climate Some giving not taken account of inflation Several years of surplus Building project used up reserves/interest Finances 2011

Context Figures not large relative to the scale of Church finances But... Been here before But... Gift aid to be reduced £750 per month

Finances 2011 Consequences Unable to move forward On buildings On staffing

Some leadership reflections: Decisions should be based on hearing God and faith. Not fear or finances. Finances 2011

Some leadership reflections: Decisions should be based on hearing God and faith. Not fear or finances. Church must be wise in its stewardship Finances 2011

Some leadership reflections: Decisions should be based on hearing God and faith. Not fear or finances. Church must be wise in its stewardship Church activities not for profit Church to be funded primarily through Christian giving Finances 2011

Some leadership reflections: Decisions should be based on hearing God and faith. Not fear or finances. Church must be wise in its stewardship Now is the time for the Church to give to people in need Church activities not for profit Church to be funded primarily through Christian giving Finances 2011

Some of us need to give less without guilt Can the rest of us increase our giving by... £5 a month? Finances 2011 The rate of inflation 4%? £10 a month? Giving 10% of income? Gift aiding? More than 10%? Payroll giving?

Some leadership reflections: Decisions should be based on hearing God and faith. Not fear or finances. Church must be wise in its stewardship Now is the time for the Church to give to people in need Church activities not for profit Church to be funded primarily through Christian giving Finances 2011

Worshipping with an offering Malachi 3 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.