Keswick Convention #3 - More Don Carson

Don Carson's morning addresses continued:

3) Matthew 11:2-19 Are you greater than King David?

1 Portrait of a discouraged baptist

John is in prison and doubts because Jesus is not the Messiah he anticipated (Matthew 3:9-13)

2 Portrait of a defended baptist

Jesus tells the crowd not to condemn John the Baptist because of his questions.  John was greater than all before because he pointed out Jesus in person.

3 Portrait of an eclipsed baptist

John is eclipsed by ordinary people.  The least in the kingdom can confess Jesus mor comprehensively than John with the benefit of post resurrection insight.

The title to the sermon comes from v11, and a link to a verse relating to David which I failed to note down, maybe in the Psalms - any answers welcome.

What makes you great? Proclamation and witness of who Jesus is and the kingdom to come.

4) Matthew 24 & 25 How to wait for Jesus

1 Wait as those who do not want to be surprised by the Master's return

We don't know when He is coming.  It will be like they days of Noah - they were living ordinary lives.  The flood was unexpected except to those who were waiting as will be the coming of the Son of Man.

2 Wait as stewards who must give account of their service

There are many who appear to be following the Master but forget they will have to give an account.

3 Wait as those who hone the Master's coming may be long delayed

This should engender perseverance and a sense of strategy - training the next generation, passing on our heritage.  Live, give, plan, pray and serve in light of a possible long wait.

4 Wait as those who understand they must enhance their Master's assets

The equivalent of half a million pounds to take care of is considered small things compared to the great responsibilities we will be given in heaven.  We should live lives of obedience, witnessing and using our gifts, graces and money to enhance the assets He has bestowed on us.

5 Wait as people transformed by the gospel so they are unselfconsciously serving brothers and sisters in Christ

Transformed by grace they take care of one another because they are part of the redeemed family of God.

5) Matthew 27: 27-51 The Ironies of the Cross

The Man mocked as King is the King

The Man who is utterly powerless is all powerful - powerless to carry His cross, but destroys the temple

The Man who cannot save Himself saves others - cannot is moral, because He came to do His Father's will

The Man who cries out in despair trusts God - The cry went up so no child of God will have to use this cry

Evening meetings tomorrow.....

Keswick Convention #2 - Don Carson

Don Carson took the morning meetings with expositions from Matthew, it was thrilling to hear the gospel expounded drawing from all of scripture, I offer a summary of my notes which very inadequately represents the messages:

1) Matthew 5: 17-48, Jesus fulfills the Law of God. (part of the sermon on the mount)

Six  times in this passage is repeated: 'You have heard that it was said..... but I say to you....'  Jesus explains how our righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees.  The chapter may drive us to self-righteousness, popousness or despair.  We will never be good enough but this passage is to be understood in the context of Matthew's gospel, Jesus has come to fulfill the law, He brings to pass that which was predicted - the new covenant, abolishing the Day of Atonement, passover etc.   The dawning of a new kingdom has started now, in the new heavens and the new earth all these requirements will take place.  

We are not what we were, we are not what we will be but by God's grace we are what we are.

2) Matthew 8:1-17 The authority of Jesus

 As shown in the sermon on the mount, Jesus taught as one having authority - I say to you....

1 The authority of Jesus to heal and transform is implicit in His mission and person

Jesus has all authority, all the omnipotence of God.  One word from Jesus can bring worldwide revival.  The leper's statement recognises Jesus' authority.

2 The authority of Jesus, formerly submissive to the law, transforms it and transcends it

Jesus does not tell the leper the law is over but tells him to go to the priest.

3 The authority of Jesus is so sweeping that when Jesus speaks, God speaks

In the army the whole chain of command speaks through the one commander -  when the centurion speaks, Caesar speaks.  When Jesus speaks, God speaks.  All of God's authority is mediated through His Son until the second coming.

4 The Authority of Jesus is a great comfort to the eye of faith but a terror to the merely religious.

There is an eternal dimension to the gospel, fundamental to understanding who Jesus is and what He has done.  Salvation is first and foremost about being reconciled to God - now and forever.  It is no good taking care of the poor or the environment but going to hell.  The heart of the gospel is Jesus crucifiction and resurrection.

5 Jesus' authortiy is in function of His work on the cross

The atonement - Christ has born all sin, there is a resurrection body and a new heaven and earth.  It is paid for, it is done but by God's wise decree the pouring out of these blessings still waits.

a) Perfect healing is secured in the cross, all disease will be gone forever.

b) Matthew's gospel ends with the great commission 'All authority is given in heaven and earth... When we pray we are confessing His authority to heal, forgive, transform, rule over our lives until every knee shall bow and confess Him as Lord.

More tomorrow.........

Keswick Convention Week 1 2010 #1

This week I am going to attempt to post each day a summary of the ministry from Keswick Convention Week 1 which I attended for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

My friend and I stayed on the Action Partners campsite which was fantastic.  Once we managed to pitch the tent (which wasn't without some difficult and much needed assistance) avoiding the parcels left by the cows, we really enjoyed the camping experience.  Action Partners do all the catering for around 200 people and there is an abundance of food for every meal and supper.  The facilities were fantastic.

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The week started with rain and more rain and then more rain until Tuesday afternoon when it brightened up.  Camping in the rain is challenging and I was definitely glad when it stopped and remained dry for the rest of the week.

The main speaker for the week was Don Carson and the evening speakers included Jonathan Stephen, Steve Brady, Jonathan Lamb and others.  But more about them another day.....

Food verdict....

The pie was very salty but quite tasty anyway.  Sausage rolls are nice.  Still to try the lasagne.  These new products do seem to have a very high quantity of salt in them so they will just be occasional additions to my diet!

I have lots to blog about, just need the time and am trying to get my new camera up and running to post some more pictures.

Food excitement!

I am not sure I have mentioned on the blog before that I only eat gluten free food.  It was very exciting this evening to walk up the frozen isle in Tesco and discover gluten free:

• Beef pie
• Sausage rolls
• Lasagne

Food I haven't eaten for years, how very exciting! Can't wait to try them, will let you know how they rate.....!

Triathlete!!

I did it!! Made it round, beating my target of 2 hours and have raised nearly £300 for Caring for Life.  Had a fantastic time, loved the experience of being with so many people with a common purpose and achieving an ambition - great!

Tomorrow's the big day....

Triathlon day tomorrow, feeling a bit nervous.  Hope all the training pays off and the heat is not too much.  Aiming for 2 hours, will let you know how it goes....

www.justgiving.co.uk/debstriathlon if you want to donate..

Heavenly singing

I wonder if I'll get any responses to this?  Over recent months from time to time I have been thinking about heaven and wondered what the singing will be like there.  Revelation 15:3 says they will have the harps of God and be singing the song of Moses.

Sometimes on Classic FM I hear a beautiful choral piece - 'Gloria in Excelsis' was a recent one, and the beauty of the singing voices makes me think of heaven - is that how it will be, music that makes us tingle inside.  Of course being in the presence of God will be the most awe-inspiring thing.

I often think when we are singing in church, surely it won't sound like this!  When I hear the singing of more charismatic churches when you can hear the praise, joy and happiness in the singing, maybe it will be more like that I think.  Of course we do not know, but it is nice to think and maybe feel inspired in our own worship of God.

'O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.' Psalm 96:9

Tri-update

Sorry its been so long since a triathlon update - only 1 week to go now!!

There was a bit of a hiccup in the training due to a heavy cold two weeks ago which interupted training for over a week.  I thought it would be disasterous but there does not seem to have been any long-term effects.  Last week I did two cycle-run sessions and it is getting much easier running after cycling although still not very fast but much less pain!  This week I have done another cycle-run and hope to do one more tomorrow, a couple of swim sessions and that should be it!

I have set a personal goal of trying to complete the event in 2 hours, but that will be very much dependent on the weather and conditions.

Tri-ing more!

Last week I tried something new again.  I have now discovered it is comfortable to run in my swimming costume when it is both dry and wet (because I had been swimming!)

The week's achievements:
Run
Cycle
Run
Run and swim
Cycle and short run - easier this time, but need to be able to run the full distance.


Feel like I am getting there, but hope I am ready in time!!