Welcome once again to our Church at Home online service. We are glad you could join us.
Intimations
- Morning worship online has moved to start at 10am and JAM at 11:15am on the Zoom platform.
- You may want to use some of these resources for daily worship during this week – Engage Worship
- Sunday Evening Prayer Livestream 7.00pm – We will be continuing the Prayer Livestream at 7.00pm on Sunday, celebrating the theme of Resurrection Hope with live prayer and news from churches around the country. This will be another significant time of national prayer for us. Please join in and, if you don’t already do so, would you let your fellowship know about this and put it on your social media. To access the event visit Facebook.
Call to worship
Let us be still in the presence of our amazing God who is with us as we gather to worship in His name. Psalm 145:1-7 is a powerful song of praise that focusses our minds on our amazing God
1I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
5 They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty –
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works –
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
We thank David for choosing the songs for our worship service today. Our opening song of praise and worship is: ‘Praise is Rising’
Our second song of worship reminds us that: ‘Your Grace is enough’
Grace stands for God’s riches available at Christ’s expense for us. We are privileged to come into our Father’s holy presence through Christ alone. He opened up the way for us as God’s children to come both reverently and with confidence because He has invited us.
Our third praise song is a wonderful declaration of our faith: In Christ Alone.
Opening prayer
‘Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty, the whole earth is full of Your glory’ –these words uttered by the heavenly beings in the prophet Isaiah’s vision remind us that You are so awesome and majestic, The God who is above all; we come in our weakness, but acknowledge Your great power and authority over all Your created order.
No wonder the Psalmist in Psalm 145 declares: One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendour of Your majesty – and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. 6 They tell of the power of Your awesome works – and I will proclaim Your great deeds.
We come as creatures to our Creator, but equally as Your children to our Heavenly Father. Thank You for the incredible privilege of being welcomed into Your family. Thank You that because Jesus died in our place on the cross we have free access to all the privileges of being Your children. Thank You Father for Your love to us each day of our lives. We are sorry once more for our thoughts words and deeds that are not pleasing to You.
We come confessing our sin, thankful for Your forgiveness obtained through Jesus’ sacrifice for us. At the start of this new week fill us afresh with the power of Your Holy Spirit to equip and enable us for what lies before us, in Jesus ‘name we pray. Amen.
Let us say together the words Jesus taught His disciples when He said:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'”
For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever Amen.
JAM Kids’ focus
There is the fifth of a series of five Bible based activities for children on the Out of the Box website. This series looks at the Armour of God from Ephesians 6.
Activity sheet available here for Episode 5.
JAM young adults Ignite Live have a separate programme at 11:15am on the Zoom platform –parents of teenagers can get a link code by contacting Gary Torbet on garytorbet@btinternet.com
All Age Talk
(Transcript of video) So it will have been back to home schooling and learning for a lot of you on Monday, if you are in Angus you are still on holiday I think. I want to tell you a little story about my experience of home schooling. Most of you know that I am a teacher but I am also a mummy. So the very first Monday the school were closed I was asleep in my bed and I was woken up by Hamish saying come on Mummy its time to start school and we need to do PE first with Joe Wicks on the TV.
If you don’t know who Joe Wicks is he is a fitness coach who has been filming daily PE workouts for kids while they aren’t able to be at school. I got out of bed went downstairs in my PE clothes and joined in with 30 mins of exercise that then meant I was in pain for the rest of the day! Before I could even get my breath back Hamish had the laptop open and we were on to maths, fractions and decimals- yuck! Then French, then art and so on.
At 10.30am it was finally time for playtime. I was just sitting down to enjoy my coffee when Hamish announced playtime was over and we better get started again. So I thought for a moment and said to Hamish that we were going to have an extended playtime that would last until 9am the morning when daddy would be taking over as the new home school teacher!!
Learning at home is very different and maybe you are loving it or maybe you are like me and not enjoying it at all. As I said last week we are all having to get used to a very different way of life at the moment. This morning I would like to especially mention our children and young people because they have very suddenly had to get used to a very different way of life. Learning online, staying in the house most of the day, not able to see their friends from school, for those in S4, S5 and S6 you will be unsure about what will happen with exam results and those in university will have had to return home sooner than they thought.
But do you know these wee heroes are taking it all in their stride, they are a whiz at getting online, finding new ways to keep themselves entertained, eating their parents out of house and home, camping out in their back gardens and so much more. I would like us to give all our children and young people a big round of applause.
You see this is what God needs us to do at the moment, help, encourage and support each other through. We need to do this within our church fellowship and beyond into our families, our friends, our neighbours and community. It says in the bible in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” Hebrews 10.24 says “We should keep on encouraging each other to be helpful and do thoughtful things.” We won’t all be front line workers or key workers, and most of us will not really be able to leave our house right now unless it for our daily walk, but we can all pray for each other, encourage each other and show love to each in these difficult times.
Last Sunday we were celebrating the good news that Jesus has risen. This was the greatest act of love our world has ever seen. We can’t match what God did when he gave Jesus for our forgiveness, but we can think of small ways we can show love, support and encouragement to each other.
So here are just a few simple ideas that you can try this week:
1. I would like everyone on here today to think of someone they could send a card, an email or make a phone call to this week. Boys and girls you might want to pick an older person in the church and those of us that are older might want to pick a younger person.
In the card, email or phone call ask the person how they are getting on, tell them some of the things you are doing to keep busy, encourage them with a bible verse that has really inspired and supported you at this time. Remind them how much God loves them.
2. Last week I encouraged you to make pictures that included the word hope. This week I would like you to do the same again but include the word love. Cut out love hearts, decorate them and write the names of places/or people who are really making a difference at the moment on the heart. Stick them in your window. This might be our NHS, people working in food shops, the police, lorry drivers, someone in your family or your street who is going above and beyond.
3. Again, last week I asked you to try leaving stones on your daily walk with the word hope on them and this week do the same again but put the word love on them. You could even do a really big stone for your front garden with the word love on it.
4. As well as making cards for people in the church you could make a card or a picture for someone in your street to cheer them up, this is a great way to show you care and bring a smile to their face.
We worship and serve a heavenly Father who says that nothing will separate us from his love, who sent is own son to die to express how much he loves us, he is always with us and can do more than we could ever hope or imagine, he is calling on HIS people here in Broughty Ferry to show His love through simple acts of kindness, support and encouragement. Let’s pray for opportunities to that this week. Amen
Our next song that is a favourite with some of the younger members of our congregation
The Bible reading for today is Philippians 1:12-30:
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved – and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Prayers for Others
Thank You God for the privilege of praying not only for our own needs but also for many other people at this time. Thank you that You hear and answer our prayers. We thank You that we have an opportunity as Christians to share the hope they have in Jesus. We do sincerely pray that many people will take this time to seek You and come to a living faith in Jesus.
We thank You too for the blessing of the internet and social media platforms that allow us to keep in touch with families and friends and church family as well as sing Your praises and hear and receive Your Word online through sermons and devotional thoughts. However, we are very aware of those people who are not online and connected via technology. We pray that You will help us to think of them and keep in touch by telephone or written form by card or letter that can be used to bring comfort and cheer to those feeling isolated.
We continue to pray for our national leaders who must feel the pressure of their inadequacy to alleviate all the suffering and hardship many people are experiencing. We are very conscious of the many small businesses that are struggling to get loans from the banks to keep them afloat and their workers in employment. Lord we pray this difficulty can be overcome this week or in the near future.
We are deeply grateful to the many lives saved through our dedicated healthcare staff in recent weeks. We pray for continuing strength for those who under great pressure have put in many long and difficult shifts in hospitals and care homes and for their continuing service to those in need of their care. We also remember others who are serving in unfamiliar work settings in paid or voluntary capacities to assist our country through this time of crisis.
We thank you too for the wider network of Christian Churches at this time as they seek to serve their local communities. We thank you within our wider Scottish Baptist Church family for:
Al Nicoll (RAF Chaplain) – Please pray for him and his colleagues at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre as we move the facility from Hampshire to Wiltshire. Pray for those who will lose their jobs as a result. Please pray for me and my family as we prepare for our next posting in the summer, with all the upheaval the move will entail.
CBC Community Church, Crookston, Glasgow – We praise God and give thanks for the provision of their new building, and how He is leading them through this transition period when they are without a Pastor. That God would reveal to them how He wishes them to use their new home to grow as a family of His people. That God would also reveal to them more effective ways to reach out into the community He has placed us in with His message of hope and salvation.
Crown Terrace BC, Aberdeen – We praise God for the new people who have been joining them on a Sunday morning, prior to the present crisis, and those who are now regulars at their Tuesday lunchtime pop-up Cafe. We pray that God would supply the abilities and skills required to support and help those who join them for their Sunday services or midweek activities.
Culduthel Christian Centre, Inverness – We join with them in thanksgiving for new life in Christ, baptisms and growth in commitment to Christ. We pray for wisdom for them in developing their Christian discipleship, equipping of leaders and outreach to youth and children. After the recent appointment of a youth and children’s worker we ask God to guide the development of their team ministry.
In our own congregation:
We continue to remember those families who have gone through recent bereavements, in particular Betty W and her family after Paula’s funeral last Friday and Betty and Scott R after Ian’s funeral also last Friday, together with Eloise P and Elizabeth F and their families after their own family bereavements. God of all comfort at this distressing time when families are not free to attend funerals or gather to comfort one another as they would wish we pray for particular strength to cope with these additional causes of stress and sadness.
We are also aware of other people with ongoing health problems, in particular Jim and Jan F, in the silence we name those particularly on our heats at this time… Lord we also come with our own needs and in the silence state them to You…
Lord, we have our ‘why’ questions and are acutely aware of so much we don’t understand at this time, but we bring our prayers to You with confidence that You will hear and answer our prayers as we bring them in the wonderful and precious name of Your Son our Saviour Jesus, Amen.
Before we come to God’s Word we will sing one of the most moving hymns penned by a Christian man who was experiencing the toughest time of his life. You may want to view an account of what led to the writing of this hymn- and realise the difference Jesus Christ can make as we go through the most difficult days of our lives
Let us sing: It is Well With My Soul
The Message
Philippians 1:21: For to me living is Christ
If you had to write one sentence only to state what mattered most to you; what motivated you for living and what you were most passionate about in life –what would you say? Many people would find a paragraph easier to write than a phrase or a sentence but honing it down to one sentence is the task in hand.
This verse is an incredible statement of what motivated the greatest Christian missionary to the non-Jewish world in the first century AD. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21: For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better.
This letter was not written from the comfort of a nice armchair with a beautiful view on a sunny evening in the Mediterranean, instead it was probably dictated to a Christian scribe who could write for Paul, whose arms were chained to a Roman soldier or more probably to one on either side, who were on guard duty for their work shift with this political prisoner sent from the province of Syria (which included modern-day Israel, the Palestinian territories together with the western part of Jordan).
The apostle is in prison for his faith, an extreme form of lock down, but this is problematic territory for the Romans who were thoroughly confused as to how to treat someone who was a Roman citizen and loyal to the Government on the one hand, but who was practising a form of a legal faith (Judaism) that was not accepted by its official religious leaders. Almost certainly Paul would be released the first time he was imprisoned in Rome, but he was later executed the second time a few years later when the Emperor Nero, by then suffering from serious mental health issues, was executing as many Christians as his forces could conveniently arrest in the capital city of the Empire between 64 and 68AD.
The Roman army like Islamic State in Iraq and Syria ruled by terror. The majority of subjects in occupied countries simply wanted to live and so put up with whatever rules the occupying power had imposed. However, the Christians were not afraid to die and what is more had different priorities to the majority population of the empire. Significant numbers of them were prepared to say with Paul that For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better. What would your personal mission statement say? Our Church statement is: Building a Christ centred church: Looking to Christ – Growing in Christ – Sharing Christ. Can each of us identify with this declaration of our convictions?
1. It means something personal to me
(a)The context of his claim Anyone can make theoretical claims about their convictions but it is only when they are tested and especially when put under severe pressure that we find out whether we truly hold to them or not. Here it is the apostle’s testimony based on what he has experienced that is the basis for this extraordinary statement. Philippians 1:12 states: Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
Personally he has been disadvantaged by the loss of his liberty and although he doesn’t know it he actually has very little free time left before his execution in Rome. However, Paul’s mind set is more focussed on what is happening to the Christian Church as a whole rather than any hardships which he may personally have had to endure.
In II Corinthians 11:23b-28, written late 55 or early 56AD, he gives a quick summary of the kind of pressures he has endured year after year as a ‘free’ man.
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
The letter from prison in Rome to the Philippians was dated probably between 60 and 62AD, only four or five years later. It is in this context that Paul writes: For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better Do we share his passion for the cause of Christ? Have we come to faith in Christ or is that the step you need to take at this time? Are you here as a Christian but your enthusiasm and passion for Christian service has been dimmed in recent years? If so this is the ideal time to ask for prayer for a fresh empowering of the Holy Spirit to reinvigorate you in His service.
(b) Illustrating his claim This passion is not only for Paul but for each and every believer in each and every generation. In the eighteenth century in Saxony, Germany, lived a young Lutheran nobleman, who encountered Jesus Christ in a way that not only transformed his life but led through an extraordinary ministry amongst Moravian Christian refugees for whom he cared on his estates and through whom the Moravian missionary movement was formed that took the Gospel to many countries in the eighteenth century, decades before William Carey and the formation of the Baptist Missionary Society in 1792.
What motivated Count Zinzendorf to undertake ventures that took over his life? He declared: ‘For me living is Christ’. In effect nothing matters more to me than my faith in Him and my desire to give Him my very best in daily life, in my priorities and in all that I am and seek to do. Years earlier as a young man Zinzendorf had seen a picture of Jesus on the cross with a caption underneath it that said something like this: ‘All this I have done for you –what are you doing for me?’ If that question was being addressed directly to you today –what answer would you give? Would it be one that you were comfortable with?
2. It means something practical living
(a)Overcoming Obstacles Sometimes people profess allegiance to a cause but there is little evidence to show for their claims. Each football team has different levels of support from the dedicated few who travel to all the games; a greater number who attend home fixtures; a larger number who watch their games on television and a significance number of others who notionally support them ahead of any other team looking out for their results most weeks. We are all well aware that in every area of life and workplace there are different levels of commitment on display by the people associated with that activity or workplace.
By personal example Here it is very clear that Paul is modelling a way of life that is centred on His relationship with and service for Jesus Christ. In fact his dedication has been inspirational for other Christians in Rome. In Philippians 1:13-14 it states: As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
What amazing words these are. All of us have our concerns about how we witness whether our words are adequate, appropriate or even whether we will have the courage to say anything at all when opportunities arise. Yet Paul’s boldness under challenging circumstances had so encouraged his fellow believers that they had been inspired to more effective levels of witnessing through his example. When our priorities are set in order we are then able to assess the context in which we are working and invest our time and other resources in a way that reflects our priorities both individually and as a church.
(b)Making spiritual investments (Philippians 1:18b-20) And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
There are always forms of ministry that each one of us cannot do. However, it does God’s people no good at all to dwell on such things as our heavenly Father expects us instead to focus on what we can do for Him and on what He has called us to do. There are countless examples of Christians who accomplished far more for the Lord than their fellow Christians thought was possible in both home service and overseas mission. The majority of the China Inland Mission workers who served as pioneer missionaries amongst the vast numbers of Chinese who had never heard the Gospel in their native land in the later nineteenth century would have been rejected as unqualified by existing Christian agencies working in that country at the time.
Our skills and qualifications are important, but our availability and our dedication to living for Jesus are the most important factors required. The two provinces of China in which they focussed are the most strongly Christian areas of China today. Gladys Aylward, who served in the last century in the same country was another example of someone turned down as unsuitable, but God’s call enabled her to accomplish a specific work for Him in that land.
How did Paul believe that the ordinary Christians of his day through their work and witness for Jesus could accomplish their work for Him? Philippians 1:19 gives the answer: 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ… Are these resources open to us as well in 2020? Yes they are!
The second resource Paul highlights is given in the same verse: God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ… It is not simply God’s people giving every ounce of effort and energy in His service that will make the difference. We do need to work hard and offer dedicated service for the Lord, but the honest reality is that neither you nor I can convert a single person. However, if we are available to the Holy Spirit then what we might accomplish is far greater than we might even be praying for or expecting to happen.
Remember Paul’s amazing words of prayer for the Christians in Ephesus in Ephesians 3:20 –our Bible verse of the year for 2020: Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! If you can quantify what that means then I am seriously impressed! However, it is what Paul was praying for the members of that congregation because it was in the light of His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20b).
3. It means something possible for Christ
(a)The equal desirability of life and death (Philippians 1:21-23) 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
In our relatively comfortable lives in Broughty Ferry we struggle to identify with Paul’s words here –if we are honest. Unless we are extremely old or seriously nearing the end due to a major health condition we are likely to have an overwhelming preference for life rather than death. Yet in a world where many Christians live with a realistic possibility of serious discrimination, imprisonment, torture or death for themselves or a family member how they might view life might be very different to us. Paul has lived out what he is commending to his readers in Greece.
His words in each generation come across as a challenge to us. Am I truly open to God and willing to be wholly available to Him? Will I acknowledge His lordship over my personal affairs; my family, my career or work, my social life –everything? To say ‘yes’ and mean it is to take a radical step that many Christians took in the Roman world and this meant that the growing Church outlasted the empire which expired a few centuries later. Let us pray these words: ‘God You are sovereign please direct my life in whatever way You choose’.
b) The reason why life had to be embraced (Philippians 1:24-26) …but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
However, Paul was consistently pro-life and entrusted his life into God’s hands. While God grants me the gift of life I will embrace it because there must be things I can do for the benefit of other people by remaining alive. What is more, he declared: I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
You know what circumstance you are currently going through; what pressures you may be facing; what trials may be coming your way in the coming months. Or even what tests of your faith might arise. Can you declare this same conviction as Paul that I can do all this through Him who gives me strength? (Philippians 4:13) If you share with Paul his core conviction that living means living for Christ then it is entirely possible through the equipping and enabling power of the Holy Spirit, Amen
Our closing hymn is a wonderful song of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord
Benediction: The Grace
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God
and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore, Amen
Remember tonight the national online prayer service at 7pm in Scotland.