Tamworth Baptist Church Discussion Area - Recent Posts

RE: 2 - Sheep or goat?

admin — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:56:32 +0000

Posted by: Jackie Eales
I will be honest here and say I think sometimes I am a sheep and sometimes I am a goat.
Most of the time I like to think that I help people around me who are in need, either in a practical way or prayer. But there are times I haven't helped when I could and should have done.

Thanks, Jackie, for your honesty

RE: 4 - Does thinking about consequences change how we behave?

admin — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:55:42 +0000

Posted by: Jackie Eales
Ok just reread that and i am not choking anyone!!!

That's a relief!

One of the fascinating (ok confusing) things about parables is they are never intended to tell the whole story just to illustrate a particular point (or points).

One thing we see in this one is that the servant was scared of his master - who he was, how he behaved - and so this led to inaction. And he was criticised for it and thrown out for being worthless. Not a good result! The way he treated his servant was consistent with his servant's assessment of him.

We, however, serve a different master - one who loves us, cares for us, wants the best for us, wants us to be the best we can for others. One who doesn't give us more to do than we can cope with but gives us the ability to do what he calls us to do. And as we recognise the truth of that, we can be set free to work for him with what he has given us confident that, whatever happens, we will be loved by Jesus.

But that doesn't remove the responsibility to work for him - motivated by love and not fear.

RE: 5 - How do we use what God has given us?

admin — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:49:43 +0000

Posted by: Jackie Eales

Having said that there are times when I am able to shut the 'your rubbish' voice out and GO FOR IT.

I guess one of the important things is recognising the value of the talent and the one who has given it to us - the one who thought that we would be good custodians / stewards / users of it and the one who looks on us with love as he sees us using what he has granted us for the good of others.

RE: 3 - Thinking about the man who only received one talent

admin — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:46:51 +0000

It's interesting that he says that he was afraid - it is his master who accuses him of being wicked and lazy.

And so I guess the question comes as to what he was afraid of - and from his explanation it is about who his master is and how he behaved. Maybe he didn't want to be associated with this type of activity and was afraid of that - maybe thinking of would have to live with the people around him if his master didn't return.

If that's the case its not intended to make us think of Jesus in the same was as the master in the servant's story but it is to make us think about whether we are prepared to be seen to be associated with him - with whatever gifts and abilities he has given us.

RE: 2 - How does God equip us to work in his kingdom?

admin — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:37:41 +0000

Posted by: Jackie Eales
I also think there is perhaps a danger of focusing so much on a particular gift that you lose sight of how it fits in with others and lose the appreciation of other gifts of those around you.

I think I know what you mean - and I think I agree with you - but can you expand on this a bit more?

4 - Putting this into practice

admin — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:14:03 +0000

Identify some of the ways we try to put this into practice in our lives and in the life and work of our Church.

3 - Seeing the poor; preparing to meet Christ

admin — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:13:33 +0000

‘The more we learn to discern Christ challenging us through the poor, the more prepared we shall be to face him on n the day of judgement.’ Discuss.

2 - Sheep or goat?

admin — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:12:56 +0000

Are you a sheep or a goat? How do you know?

1 - Introduction

admin — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:10:56 +0000

On the evening of Sunday 26th November we concluded our series looking at the teaching of Jesus in Matthew's Gospel with the story he told about sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46). A story that reminds us that Jesus will return as king and will ask how we have served him as we waited for his return.

The audio recording of the sermon is available at http://tamworthbaptists.org.uk/multimedia-archive/sheep-and-goats/

5 - How do we use what God has given us?

admin — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:08:01 +0000

God gives us all gifts and abilities are you using yours and if not why not?