Mapperley Minister's Monday Morning Mail, 4th Feb 2013

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Loving God | Loving Each Other | Loving our Community

Good Morning!


At the 9:15 service yesterday, I was preaching on Luke's genealogy of Jesus, and if I was doing it again I'd use three headings – Jesus our relative, Jesus our Lord and Jesus our brother.

Jesus our relative – Luke's genealogy goes all the way back to Adam, which means that Jesus' family tree connects in with all of ours. If we drew out our family trees big enough and in enough detail, Jesus would be in there somewhere!

Jesus our Lord – the Roman emperors at the time traced their family trees back to Roman gods to show that they were entitled to rule. Luke does the same for Jesus, going via the great king David and Abraham who received so many promises from God. Jesus is the rightful king.

Jesus our brother – the genealogy ends with saying that Jesus is the Son of God, which is picked up just beforehand at Jesus' baptism and just afterwards in the temptations. In both of them, as a perfect man, he represents us as our head, and so in him we are united, forgiven, counted righteous and adopted into God's family, so that we too can be God's beloved sons and daughters.


Richard Hill asked me to remind you all that recordings of the sermons from St Jude's are available either via the church website or as a podcast on iTunes for those who are into such things (search for St Jude's Mapperley).


Coming up...

  • On Sunday, there will be a bring & share lunch after church. If you haven't signed up and would like to, do get in touch with the office a.s.a.p.

  • We are currently in the middle of renewing our Electoral Roll from scratch – if you would like to remain on it, then you need to fill in a form sometime over the next few weeks. Forms are available in church or from the office.

  • Weds 13th Feb is Ash Wednesday. There will be a service in church at 8pm for anyone who wants to come.

  • This Tuesday, the House of Commons are due to vote on the proposed changes to the marriage law. Do be praying, particularly for David Cameron and our MP, Chris Leslie. Pray particularly that God would soften their hearts towards him, but give thanks that Jesus is still king, and God will protect and keep his people safe.


In the evening service yesterday, I mentioned Psalm 56:3-4, and I think they are as good a place as any to finish.


When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise –

in God I trust and am not afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?


May God bless, preserve and keep us as we seek to follow him this week!


John

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