Sacra-Mental - The Talk 27/06/2010

If you missed this talk, you can catch it again by subscribing to our podcast in iTunes. Click here to go to our iTunes page and click subscribe.For instructions about how to get our podcast click here.Alternatively you can listen to the "Sacra-Mental - The Talk" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 27 mins).

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What is your expectation of a Sunday talk? Do you think it’s for entertainment, education or something else? When you are listening to someone talking, what are you listening for? (I know that last question seems simple, but think about it for a while!)

How much importance do you place on the talks we have at church? How is this reflected in how you listen? Do you take any steps beyond the Sunday service to interact with the subject and the questions that have been asked? Read James 1:22-25.

How do you feel God speaks to you when he asks you to make changes in your life? How can you be more receptive to hearing him? Read Matthew 7:24-29 and consider how important it is we do this well.

What other ways do you get ‘fed’ during the week? If you find this hard, some good ideas are daily reading guides, Christian biographies and podcasts (there are loads of great churches who podcast their messages every week).
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Risking Your One Talent 20/06/2010

If you missed this talk, you can catch it again by subscribing to our podcast in iTunes. Click here to go to our iTunes page and click subscribe.For instructions about how to get our podcast click here.Alternatively you can listen to the "Risking Your One Talent" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Graham Stevenson, 29 mins).

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Sacra-Mental Why We Sing 13/06/2010

If you missed this talk, you can catch it again by subscribing to our podcast in iTunes. Click here to go to our iTunes page and click subscribe.For instructions about how to get our podcast click here.Alternatively you can listen to the "Sacra-Mental Why We Sing" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 27 mins).

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Sacra-Mental: Why We Sing.

Bible reference: Psalm 149

How important is music in your life? Why? What is your attitude to singing on a Sunday morning?

Have you ever found it difficult to sing praises to God? Did you choose to participate or did you just become a spectator?

Are there songs we sing in church that mean a lot to you? Do you sing them during the week?

Have you ever sung a song that seemed to sum up exactly what you were feeling? Have you sung a song that seemed to express an attitude that seemed so far away from how you were feeling? How did you feel about singing that song? Did you feel dishonest, or could you see it as a declaration of where you wanted to be?

How do you feel about people showing emotion at church?
If it makes you uncomfortable, do you also feel a temptation
to restrain your own emotions, so you won’t become like one
of them?

How easy do you find it to take your attention off of yourself and your hardships and focus on God?

When you come on a Sunday morning, how much expectation do you have that God is going to be present?

Further reading: Psalm 9 (esp v. 1&2), Psalm 42
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Sacra-Mental - Baptism 06/06/2010

If you missed this talk, you can catch it again by subscribing to our podcast in iTunes. Click here to go to our iTunes page and click subscribe.For instructions about how to get our podcast click here.Alternatively you can listen to the "Sacra-Mental - Baptism" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 33 mins).

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Back to the Beginning…
Read the account of the first baptisms in Matthew 3:5-17. The reason for us to get baptised all starts here as God identifies with mankind by coming as Jesus. Reflect on how amazing this is.
On the cross Jesus took on the whole world’s sin. Think about the feelings of guilt, shame and disappointment you can find yourself carrying and reflect on how much it cost Jesus and how thankful we should be.

Public Identification
How does your life publicly identify you with Jesus? Do the people around you know that you’re a follower of Jesus? How can you do this effectively without acting like a Bible-basher?
Baptism is a relational promise. How is your relationship with God? Are you putting time and effort into it? (Almost everyone feels that they’re not doing enough; so don’t worry if you feel like this. But instead of thinking about where you wish you were and feeling guilty, think about what small step you could take now to improve things even a little bit.)

Baptism’s Rich Meaning
There are some really powerful metaphors used in the Bible for baptism. Read Romans 6:1-14. It likens baptism to death and burial, followed by resurrection. Meditate on the passage – perhaps rewrite it in your own words. Think about how much you have let the ‘old you’ die and how much you are a ‘new person’ offering everything in you to God.

Not Been Baptised?
Acts 22:16 – “What are you waiting for? Get up, be baptised and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
If you want to be baptised contact the office or fill in the online form at www.tinyurl.com/33unyqz
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