Ephesians 5:3-14 
 
It’s not that bad, surely? 
It’s Ok just to look, isn’t it?  
A bit of flirting is pretty harmless, right? 
One man and one woman in marriage- that’s a bit outdated, isn’t it? 
Surely if God is a God of love, then any loving relationship can’t be wrong? 
If I’m happy and not hurting anyone, that must be a good thing, yes?  
 
These are the kinds of things our culture will say to us to ‘deceive us with empty words’ (v6).  
 
Having started to describe what putting on our new self in Christ looks like, Paul now focusses on sexual immorality.  Whereas he has written a line or two on various sins, he now spends a whole paragraph on the need for Christians to be sexually pure. It’s clearly really serious – it has no place in the family of God (v3b + 4b); persisting unrepentantly in it means you’re excluded from the kingdom because you’re worshiping your desires rather than God (v5b); and it brings God’s wrath (v6b).  We must, therefore, not join in with this (v7) and having nothing to do with it (v11).   
 
We are all too familiar with how our sexualised culture has moved so very far away from the sexual ethic revealed in the bible.  Sex is a god for many and any restraint we show in pursuing our desires has become ridiculous and even offensive.  Many in their ignorance are pushing all sorts of sexual agendas, whilst belittling the traditional Christian view.  But this isn’t anything new.  It was the same in Ephesus.  Back then, God’s people were in danger of listening to the voices of the sexualised culture around them.  We are too. 
 
Yet, what an opportunity we have to be different!  And that’s Paul’s point.   Wonderfully, we have been changed from darkness to children of light (v8).  This change isn’t something we have done- only Christ can bring us into the light, or as Paul also puts it, raise us from the dead (v14).  The darkness is the stuff of our old self, particularly in regards to sexual sin.  Once we were much like everyone else in how we think about and treat sex.  The light is God’s new way for us- the way of goodness, righteousness and truth which pleases him (v9+10).  So now we are light, we are to live as light, but not as some effort on our own but because God has transformed us.  Wonderfully, as do that we will shine out into a dark world, exposing the sin of our culture (v13-14).   
 
As those around you are flirting in the office or telling dirty jokes or watching pornography or being smutty or living promiscuously or committing adultery, you get to shine into that darkness as you think, speak and act differently.  Just as light makes something visible, the gospel of Christ shining out in your life will contrast to the darkness around you and expose it for what it is.  In a world which plays so loosely with sex, refusing to compromise in this area and sticking instead to the biblical sexual ethic will mean people take notice, and some will not just see the light but come into it themselves.   
 
We don’t retreat from the darkness, but we do live differently to it.  Pray that as you do that, Christ’s light will shine on you and out into the world. 

Schools Worker/Family Worker
with St Peter's Blatchington Mill and Off the Fence
https://www.christianjobs.co.uk/jobs/fence/2505​

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.
1 Cor 6:19-20
I’ve been unable to attend the sessions with Nick McQuaker looking at human sexuality live due to leading at Rooted on Thursday’s but I’ve massively enjoyed catching up through the YouTube links. I’ve been pondering on these verses in reflection to what Nick’s been saying and, in some ways, I think if we all believed what this verse said; how many of the problems we’ve encountered with the world’s views on sexuality would be resolved?
If we all realised that our bodies do not belong to ourselves, but are treasured gifts from God, then we wouldn’t be deciding that sex, marriage and gender are all things that we are in charge of defining. We would instead honour God with the gifts that we’ve been given. In our constant quest for self-identity and taking pride in who we are, how mind-blowing is it to hear that we “do not belong to ourselves”. How would our attitudes and behaviour change knowing in our hearts that everything we have and are is a gift from God and not ours to do with as we please.

​A troubled young man
 
‘The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson.’ Judges 13:24
 
Being the dad of four grown up children, I can't help but read the story of Samson and see it through his parent's eyes. Imagine the joy of Manoah and his wife on hearing the news, that after years of childlessness, they were going to have a baby boy (Judges 13:3). What's more, this boy was to be God's servant from the womb (13:5) and grow into a leader of Israel. A great deliverer from the despised Philistine oppressors (v5). Time to celebrate? Hold on just a minute!
 
Things started well 'He grew and the Lord blessed him' (v24), but then as a young man, things (seemingly) began to go wrong. Despite his parents displeasure, he fell in love with, then married a non-Jewish girl (Ch.14). Their wedding was a disaster, with Samson storming out in anger and going back home. From then on things got ever worse - failed marriages, huge anger issues, mass murder, vandalism, sleeping with prostitutes, violence and more. All through this Samson was ruling Israel as it's Judge! For 20 years he led the people of God, delivering them from the Philistines, as God said he
would.
 
Samson died a violent death at the hands of his enemies (Ch.16). Yet, and it's a BIG yet, he was Gods appointed man.
What's more he makes the hall of fame in Hebrews chapter 11 as one of the great people of faith (Heb 11:32).
 
So, parents, next time you despair about your children, give a thought for Manoah and his wife, and take to heart (strange though it sounds) that, as with Samson, God is perhaps, at work in and through it all. Prayerfully consider this telling verse in the context of today's passage about Samson...
 
'His parents did not know that this was from the Lord' Judges 14:4

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4v1)

This is the headline for all that follows in Ephesians. Note a few things beginning with “E.”

• It’s a call to EVERYONE who’s a Christian. We might speak of being “called” to some job, or to be a missionary in the Congo. But in the Bible, being “called” by God means he has made you his; it’s what happens when we become Christians. In that moment, God makes us incredible, for he makes us his own children. God, then, tells us to live incredible lives, “worthy of” our incredible calling.
• It involves EVERYTHING we do: “live a life.” Living as one of God’s people isn’t a part-time job, or one more thing on my to-do list. It’s to control all I do, every day, every hour, every decision.
• And in fact, it’s ESSENTIAL that we do: “I urge you.” That’s a strong word. Such living isn’t optional. Anytime we don’t live according to our calling, we steal glory from God.
• We also rob ourselves of joy, for living this life is EXCELLENT. Whatever plans we might have for our lives, or just for the rest of this week, if they’re not about living according to our calling in Christ, then we’re like kids taken to the seaside who only play in the car park and never make it onto the beach. We’d be crazy to miss out on the ice creams, sandcastles and donkey rides!
• Of course, this will take EFFORT. You don’t need to be urged to do something that’s easy. If someone urges you to take an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii, you’re unlikely to roll you eyes and say, “must I?!” However, God never calls us to something he doesn’t give us power for.
• A final “E”: responding to our call does not EARN us favour with God. He has called us, so he has saved us by grace through the cross of Christ, and we are his dearly loved children.

So let’s live lives worthy of our calling.
Dave

Plodding on
One week ago, many of us were disappointed. We had been hoping that today would be the end of restrictions and that next Sunday we would be, not least, able to sing together again in the building.
Then some well-placed briefings, leaks and ministerial comments began to alert us that it might not all be such smooth sailing, and Boris’ announcement last Monday confirmed our fears. It does sound sensible though, doesn’t it? We need to get more people vaccinated, and be praying there won’t be an Epsilon variant coming along any time soon.
And in the meantime we persevere, we keep on going. We keep on looking to Jesus, praying, trusting that God does have all this in His gracious hands. When we have done Men & Mountains I have sometimes talked about the virtues of plodding. There’s no point in trying to go too fast; but plenty of point in just plodding on. And on. And on. And as Christians there are times when we just need to keep on going. Sometimes it feels like a plod. And that’s ok.
When Paul wrote his second letter to the church at Thessalonica, he says in 2Thess 1:4 “Therefore among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials  you are enduring.” COVID is hardly a persecution, but it is a bit of a trial that we need to endure. And with God’s help we have endured, we are enduring  and we will endure. We’ll persevere, we’ll keep on plodding on. One day it won’t be a plod, there’ll be a lightness in our step, for we’ll be able to sit near to each other, drink coffee together and, yes, sing. And one day, there won’t be a plod, as we’ll be jumping for joy on the day Jesus returns.
But for now, it may feel a bit more like a plod. That’s ok. Perseverance is a virtue.

On Monday 28th June the Bishop of Lewes is coming to Bishop Hannington for a service of ordination to the priesthood for Ben and two others (From Hailsham and Angmering).  Spaces in church are limited but we will be releasing tickets to attend the service in person soon.  The service will be live streamed on the BH YouTube Channel.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom - Psalm 90:12
 
I recently turned 30. A whole new decade has opened up before me, and life seems to be changing a lot. My teenage years and even time at university seems a long time ago now. I’m definitely thankful for all that God has done in my life!
  
I don’t know if you have seen one of these before. It’s called ‘My life in weeks’, the idea being that every time a week goes by you can fill in the dot representing that week.
 
I can hear the cries of resentment from you, ‘why would you tell me this?! I’ve only got X amount of weeks left!!’
 
Truth is, that’s exactly the reason why I’m sharing it. Psalm 90:12 is quite a famous verse, ‘teach us to number our days’. In this context we could say ‘teach us to number our weeks’. I encourage you to read the whole of Psalm 90 at some point, because it gives a good perspective of the frailty of sinful mortal humanity before a holy immortal God.
 
Teach us to number our days: It brings life into perspective doesn’t it? Too often we waltz through life trying to fill it with things that ultimately distract us from the end, from death.
 
But what should our response be? Humility. Acknowledgement of our frailty. And even purpose. Some of you will have very few dots left in to fill. How might you fill them in service to the Lord? For those who have a lot of dots left to fill in, the same question, how might you use them for God?
 
Our life is but a vapour, and like the flowers of the field is here one day and gone the next. For those trusting in the Lord Jesus, there is an eternity more. But let us use these precious days he has given us in the now to love Him, and our neighbours, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

​5 Then I said:
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 
6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 
7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 
9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’
10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 
11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
I was cupbearer to the king.

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the EXILE from their home. We’ve been looking at the entry into the land in Joshua at Explorers and Rooted and I’ve been hearing talks from Zechariah at the SGP course, all about the exile from the land and the desire to bring God’s people back together
I’ve never really dwelt much on that time for God’s people. It feels like the exile isn’t often delved into teaching plans or sermons. When I was a kid, in my head, I thought the Bible was about finding the land, getting the land, then Jesus! But exile from the land is such a huge part of the Bible, there’s so much time of exile in the OT. And it was AWFUL! It was a time of real trauma and struggle for God’s homeless, anxious and defeated people.
Nehemiah 1:7-9 talks about what’s gone on with God’s people. They fell into sin, they disobeyed, they were scattered among the nations. But verse 9, God promises his people that even if they are at the farthest horizon, he will gather them from there and bring them to the place he have chosen as a dwelling for his Name. What a message for those anxious, scared, homeless exiled people to hear. No matter how far you’re away, I’ll gather you up! You’ll come home. You’ll be together again.
Not to try and draw a slightly wobbly line, or equate our situation to that of God’s exiled people but we have been in times of separation for the last year, and we are now coming to a time to draw back fully together.
Many of us have been battered and bruised by separation. We may even have been on edge with our faith. For those who are feeling that, know that God wants to bring us back to the place where he dwells, his church. And for the rest of us, let’s be praying the way Nehemiah prays, that God’s people will be united once again, despite our brokenness, by his mighty and redemptive power.

Due to Lockdown restrictions being retained for a further month we have had to postpone the Church Family Picnic until 1st August. Please note this new date in your  diaries.
​Further details to follow.

Meet My Best New Friend
Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honour. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” (Luke 5:27-32 NLT)
 
There is a Chinese proverb that says, “if you draw near the light, you become light; if you draw near the dark, you become dark”. In other words, stay away from the bad people. But in this Bible passage, we see Jesus asking a questionable character to follow him. In turn, Levi invites a whole group of dreadful tax collectors and sinners to meet his new best friend. This caused a massive outcry among the pious Pharisees!
Jesus saw beyond the crusty exterior of Levi and his peers. He saw something in them that wanted to break free from the darkness – but they did not know how. Jesus, the Light of the World shows the way. With overflowing forgiveness, abundant grace and mercy, Jesus reached out and shared a meal with these money swindlers; in the same way that He spoke with a notorious woman at the well, and shared His life with ordinary, smelly fishermen.
As Christians, we were introduced and encountered Jesus personally. We were called out of the darkness of our sinful lives and brought into the light of everlasting love with Jesus. And having received this gift from Jesus, He calls us to share with others what He has done in our lives.
What are the ways we can reveal the light of Christ in our work, our home and with our friends?
 
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me out of darkness into Your incredible light. I confess some darkness remains in me. Forgive me. I have often yielded to inaction and not stood up for You before mockers and slanderers. Keep me strong so that Your light in me will overcome the darkness in them. Help me to draw near to You, so that more and more of Your light will overflow in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Distraction
 
To me, one of the scariest animals in the world, is the seagull. I’m not joking, they really freak me out!
Which makes it quite a weird choice to live in Brighton the home of the most fierce, bold and gigantic seagulls on this planet! All of us probably have different animals that scare us, don’t even get me started on cows…!
 
But back in 62-63AD (Peter’s time) one of the undisputed scariest animals was the lion. I mean nearly 30 stone of pure muscle eating up to 40kg of meat in one go, my word, that’s scary! And so, as Peter draws his first letter to a close talking of the church as God’s flock of sheep, look how he speaks about the devil.
 
1 Peter 5:8
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
 
A prowling lion… If he was writing that to me, today, he might say; “your enemy the devil circles above like a seagull looking for someone to divebomb.” That would send shivers up my spine!
But Peter is getting his readers to see that they have a deadly enemy on the prowl so they are to be alert, to be watching out ready for when he might strike! And these words ring true today. We have a deadly enemy prowling determined to take us away from our God.
 
But to be ready for his strikes; we need to know what his tactics are and I think his tactics are slightly changing for the 21st Century?
 
I think the devil is using distraction as one of his main weapons against believers in this modern world. Distracting us with endless hours of Netflix to watch; taking our attention with a constant stream of YouTube videos; filling our minds with all the countless worries of this world; stealing time as we scroll listlessly on our phones. The devil would love our attention and our focus to be less on our Saviour and more on our socials, he loves it when we put off Bible reading to switch on the PS4, the devils loves a distracted heart.
 
 
And distraction works so effectively because it doesn’t look like the ferocious assault of a roaring lion.
It works so effectively because everyone else is getting involved doing those things!
It works so effectively because we fall for it almost every single time.
 
The devil dangles the carrot of distraction and we need very little persuading to take it up.
 
 
How are you being distracted from God?
What things are drawing your soul away from time with the Lord?
Where do you need to be alert this coming week?

We find the story about King David and the threshing floor in 2 Samuel 24:18 – 25 where God commands David to “...raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” So, David goes to Araunah and they discuss the threshing floor and David is offered it for free along with oxen for a burnt offering...here is David’s response,
“I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

The other picture above is depicting the woman with an alabaster jar of expensive ointment who poured it out over Jesus’ feet, whom we read about in Luke 7:36 – 50. The ointment was valuable but the cost to the woman was also in being seen to do something scandalous – when she was already looked down on and despised.

So, two pictures of ‘costly worship’.
I wonder what costly worship might look like for us in 2021? It might be just our willingness to be known as a Christian – at work or school or among our friends and family. It might be about our giving in terms of Christian service within the church and within the community or in our finances. It could be in leaving our homes on Sundays to come to the church building for services when it might be less stressful, easier or more comfortable to stay at home and watch online.

The key thing about costly worship is that it is showing what we believe God is worth!! David had lots of money to buy the threshing floor but it was important to him that he demonstrated God’s worth by purchasing it. For the sinful woman her heart was so full of love for Jesus’ who had forgiven her sins, that the cost – immense as it was – didn’t actually matter so long as she demonstrated His worthiness and showed Him how much she loved Him. The thing about faith is that it’s all about the beauty, kindness, love and grace of the God who came to save us because He cares. So...our worship is a reflection of how much we value Him. The cost of our worship isn’t a reflection of what we are able to give – it’s a response to how much we’ve been given!!
​Chris