David Bareham's Blog
Hi, I am one of the Elders at CHCC and hope to find time to post here some thoughts on what God is teaching us as we journey with Him.
Please feel free to read my most recent Blog Posts below, or click on a blog listed at the bottom of this page.
Building Together
Reflections on Nehemiah 3
31/10/2011
This last Sunday Joachim preached an excellent sermon on Nehemiah 3 about working together. One of the many points that he gave us was that this chapter is effectively a list of the names of people who were courageous and committed to rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Joachim pointed out that the priests set the example by being first and went to work rebuilding the Sheep Gate. It is so important that leaders lead not only by what they say, but also what they do. Brown in his commentary says about spiritual leaders that “Life’s daily example is their most eloquent sermon” [1]. Their priority was to rebuild the Sheep Gate which would have taken its name from the sheep that would have been taken through it for sacrifice, and once rebuild would provide easy access to the temple.
This chapter is remarkable for the unity of those building. The phrase “next to him” or a similar phrase is used 25 times in these verses and illustrates the wonderful harmony of the workers on the project. We must remember that we are not called to serve as individuals, but as part of the church, of Christ, alongside our brothers and sisters. In the New Testament Paul writes to the Corinthians and say talks about the body as a unit, although it is made up of many parts [2]. Here we see that even as each individual or family had responsibility for a particular task, they were all involved in the same rebuilding project and worked in unity together. As well as this picture of unity there is a real diversity of the people involved in the repairs. There are priests, rulers, goldsmiths, perfume makers, men and women. A broad spectrum of the community taking part in this common project [3]
As Nehemiah organised the work, some were allocated the section outside their house. For example in verse 10 we read that Jedaiah son of Harumph made repairs opposite his house. We were reminded that for some, the building begins at home. For all families there is a responsibility to your children to build them up in the Lord, but we also have a responsibility to see that our house is in order and that we are in good relationship with those that are close to us. There is also the reality that the mission field is right outside our own front door, our street, our community, our workplace, as well as to nations all over the world.
This account is also very real, in that there were some who refused to do the work. Verse 5 tells us that the nobles of Tekoa would not work under the supervisors. This suggests pride was the reason for their refusal to get involved, and we must guard against this enemy in our lives. Jesus was a servant leader, we must follow His example [4].
There is also demonstration forgiveness and restoration. Take Malkijah son of Harim, mentioned in verse 11. He was also mentioned in Ezra as one convicted of wrongdoing because he had married a foreign wife [5], and yet we see him here gladly involved and accepted as part of the workforce serving alongside God’s people. We might do well to follow in their example and accept those who come to us from different moral backgrounds and encourage them to fully engage in the work of the Lord. After all, we are all sinners saved by grace!
Finally, let us remember that God knows our name! He knows us individually and our name is written in the Lambs book of life [6]. However, He has placed us in a body of believers and we are called to live and serve in unity together, knowing that one day, the things that we have been given responsibility to build will be tested by fire [7]. Are working together in harmony for the sake of the Kingdom? Are we building things that will last for all eternity?
[1] Brown, R., The Message of Nehemiah, The Bible Speaks Today(Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1998) , p. 64
[3] Throntveit, M., Ezra-Nehemiah, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Louisville, John Knox Press, 1992), p. 78
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David Bareham, 31/10/2011 |
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The Glorious Church ....
02/11/2010
Having already referred to Colossians 1:15-20 in my blog “ The supremacy of Christ”, I was blessed again when this text came up at college this week. It speaks of the creation of all things through Jesus and for Jesus, and that everything on earth and in heaven will be reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. As we studied this scripture it was amazing to see that in the centre of this summary of all history the church is mentioned as the body of Christ, with Jesus as the head
.
We live in a time when the church is not held in very high esteem in our nation. The news usually talks about a declining, irrelevant church that is more interested in discussing its doctrine and position on church leadership and other topical debates, rather than on making a difference in today’s society.
Unfortunately, some church members themselves also do not have a very high view of church and so do not understand the glory and beauty of the body of Christ and the purpose of its existence. It can be easy to criticise the church, for there are many weaknesses, but I believe that we need to rediscover the biblical truth about God’s glorious church.
When Jesus prays for all believers he says that he has “given them the glory” that he received from the Father so that their unity will let the world know about his love [1]. We know that we are being changed into the likeness of Christ with ever increasing glory[2], and that the church will be presented to Christ as a radiant church, without stain, or wrinkle or any other blemish[3]. This is God’s glorious plan for his church. In fact, as God has placed all things under the feet of Jesus and appointed him to be head over everything it is for the church so that we, the body of Christ, will be full of Jesus[4]!
We know that Jesus is committed to the church as he gave himself up for her [5] and has promised to build it himself[6]. When we are saved we are joined to a great family of believers who are called to partner in this great commission of reaching the nations with the gospel message, and see the church grow and God’s Kingdom extended. We do this in the power of the Holy Spirit and through the demonstration of the love of God for each other and to our communities.
I love this quote from Bill Hybels book “Courageous Leadership”:
“There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the context of community. It builds bridges to seekers and offers truth to the confused. It provides resources for those in need and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, the disillusioned. It breaks the chains of addictions, frees the oppressed, and offers belonging to the marginalised of this world. Whatever the capacity for human suffering, the church has a greater capacity for healing and wholeness.” [7]
This may be a description of church that seems far away from the reality that we know. But surely it is God’s intention that the church is the hope for our world, the expression of God’s love and grace to a generation that is far from him. If we believe that this is so, we must also believe that part of the restoration that we read about in Colossians 1:20, is the reconciliation of the church to himself, until at the end of time we will see the bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
The world needs churches that are more like the church described in the Bible. The church as God intended. The Kingdom of God established here on earth. A little bit of heaven here and now. John Hosier in his book “Christ’s Radiant Church” says:
“Surely there can be nothing more important at the present time than seeing the church shape up more and more to her description in scriptures. The world needs local churches with the qualities and the evident presence of God that will astonish towns and cities. We need to battle, as God gives us grace, for the restoration of the church.” [8]
The church is alive and growing! It is part of God’s plan for all time. It is being restored to be the church that it was intended to be, and it is the answer for this generation. Though not yet perfected, the church is being prepared for the glorious day when Christ returns, and we have the wonderful and exciting privilege of being chosen to be part of it!
Do you hear them coming, brother,
Thronging up the steeps of light,
Clad in glorious shining garments,
Blood washed, garments pure and white?
Do you hear the stirring anthems,
Filling all the earth and sky,
’Tis a grand, victorious army,
Lift its banner up on high!
’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb;
’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Ralph E. Hudson 1892
[7] Hybels, B., Courageous Leadership (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 23
[8] Hosier, J. Christ’s Radiant Church, (Abingdon: Monarch Books, 2005) 19
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David Bareham, 02/11/2010 |
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There is nothing small in the service of God......
25/10/10
We were blessed yesterday as Leon brought to us the Word of God, “Every Member Serving”. It was good to be reminded that service is at the very heart of our transformed life, and that as we are motivated to serve we bring glory to God.
I expect that we are like every church, always looking for more volunteers! In crèche, children’s work, youth work, parent and toddlers, set up, pack down, worship, in fact in nearly every area of church life, we need more people who are willing to serve. This is a very real need, as some of these activities are under threat of closure if we are not able to resource them with people who are willing to serve.
However, whilst recognising this need, I would make five further points about our service for our Lord.
Firstly, I believe that is good to acknowledge those who have for many years served faithfully, often in an unseen capacity. We can all think of people who quietly get on with their work, not looking for praise or thanks, but willingly serve the Lord with a joyful heart. We have many like this in our church, and they are a real blessing to the Body of Christ. One of the lasting memories of a big conference that I attended in London was not the speaker or the worship, though both were excellent, but was of a elderly lady who walked around the auditorium during the day with a plastic bag and picked up rubbish. You could see the joy of the Lord on her face as she humbly served in this way.
Secondly, we must also recognise that our service for the Body of Christ is not just for the church corporately, but is for individuals as well. Our service continues through the week, by visitation, helping and supporting our brothers and sisters. Serving with meals, shopping, gardening, childcare and in many other ways, should be a natural expression of our love for God and our love for each other.
Thirdly, as we serve one another, I believe that this demonstration of love and unity will overflow into our communities and will lead to acts of service for our neighbours, work colleagues, families and friends. What a wonderful way of declaring the love of God by serving others with a kind and joyful attitude.
Fourthly, I believe that our service can have far reaching effects, some of which we may never see. One act of service, one kindness, may plant a seed of the Good News of Jesus Christ into a life, which when watered by the Holy Spirit will lead to the salvation of that life which in turn will be fruitful for the Kingdom of God.
Finally, it could be that our service is preparing us for other areas of ministry that God has planned for our lives. Not that our serving should ever stop, but in some miraculous way, by the grace of God, our faith is built and God can use us in ways that we had not thought possible. It was Saint Francis of Assisi who said “Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
We were encouraged at the end of our meeting yesterday that God can use each one of us with what he has already entrusted to us. Moses felt that he did not have anything with which he could serve God, but God used what he already had in his hand. We know that there is nothing small in the service of God. Everything is important to Him, and He is willing to use each of us for His glory.
The Bible encourages us that our service should be full of love (Galatians 5:13b) and that we should serve with a smile on our face, as whatever and whoever we are serving, we are really serving God (Ephesians 6:7). And remember, we know that we cannot do a thing to earn our salvation, but now that we are His, we serve to show our love to Him who has transformed our lives with His love.
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David Bareham, 25/10/2010 |
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Faith is rising ......
We are experiencing a real sense of the presence of God when we meet together. This last Sunday was yet another meeting when we were amazed at all that God did amongst us. We sing the song “Hosanna” which has the line in it “Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You, we long for You”, and I think that this is happening not only at CHCC but across the world. I have heard many people say that there is a new awakening across the globe of the presence of God.
On Sunday I spoke from Mark 2:1-12, and noted that Jesus saw the faith of the friends of the paralytic man, and that this led to forgiveness and healing. This is an important point for us as we serve Jesus. Our faith affects others. Of course there are instances in the Bible when it is the faith of the individual that brings about the change. For example, in Mark 5:34 where the woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years touched the cloak of Jesus, He turned to her and said “your faith has healed you”. However, there are other examples where it is the faith of others that affects healing or forgiveness for the individual. Maybe the best example of this is in Luke 7:1-10, where the Roman Centurion came to Jesus to ask for healing for his servant. It was the faith of the Centurion that was commended but it was the servant that was healed.
It is significant that the friends of the paralytic man wanted to bring him to Jesus, and had faith for his healing. I believe that we are entering a harvest time, and that we will see many people come to Christ. I also believe that we are moving to a season of miracles of healing when we will see things that we have never seen before. I want to encourage us to be a people of faith. When we pray, let’s pray faith filled prayers, and when we witness let our conversation be full of faith. Faith that as we introduce people to Jesus, He will transform their lives.
As we are seeing people being saved and healed I hope that our faith is rising. I trust that our understanding of a loving, powerful, healing Saviour is deepening and that we are expecting amazing things each and every time we come into his presence.
To the glory of God!
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David Bareham, 18/05/2010 |
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