Old Trafford Christadelphians - Newsletter

Newsletter - March April 1999

IN FOCUS – The Sunday Morning Service

Imagine being with a person with whom you feel totally at ease, it's not too hard really is it? We've all got friends who we feel close to, who we share things with and confide in. Now imagine telling that person all your secrets, all of them mind you – yes even that one. It would probably change the way that friend would look at you. If the friendship survived at all it would be changed; broken or at least diminished.

I suppose then that you would feel at ease with a brother or sister. They've been with you through your childhood, your teenage years even though today you might not get on so well but as they say "Blood is thicker than water".

On Sunday mornings I travel to Manchester to be with someone special. I'm with this person constantly on my own but on a Sunday I meet him with the rest of my family to remember his devotion to me. I come to the 'Bethel' some weeks completely screwed up, but that's not a problem for the Lord Jesus Christ. I meet with my family and praise him in song and prayer. I come to him and say, "I'm angry". "Give it to me", the Son of God replies. "I'm sad". "I'll take that too". I give him my frustrations, my darkness and he takes it all gladly. I believe in an all-powerful God and it was and is this God who gave (I'll just repeat that) – GAVE his only Son to the grave for the forgiveness of sins. Not any old sins but my sins, your sins – the sins of the World.

Of course this forgiveness has a price that I must pay but its well within all of our budgets. We must believe, and by reading the Bible you learn for yourself its power and truth. We must be baptised, not in any great pomp and ceremony but in simplicity, surrounded by ordinary men and women! We must symbolically follow Jesus to the grave and arise from it with a new life. And once again not with pomp and gold (I don't have to wear a funny hat or make any secret signs!) I take a small piece of bread - could be a crust off a loaf, or a cob – and I taste it and I remember that Jesus body was hurt and broken for what I've done wrong! I then take a sip of wine and think of his blood spilling from his body WILLINGLY. I remember the fact that he ceased to exist so that I could have forgiveness, that he came back from nothing to be everything. I thank God for Jesus who is my brother and also my friend. And I thank God and the Lord Jesus for this opportunity to say, "God bless you and may the Lord Jesus be with you".

- John Fane

Home Previous Issue Up (Newsletters) Next Issue Home General Info What's On Bible Courses Other Stuff Newsletter Friday Club F.A.Q. Site Info Links