BH Bulletin - Thursday 4 February 2021

 Thought for the Day by Rich Arnold
​(Youth and Families Minister at Holy Cross)

What do a cover model, a Hollywood action scene, and a weight loss advert all have in common? 
That isn't meant to be the start of a bad joke! 
 
The thing they have in common is change.  They all have a 'before' and 'after'.  Whether it's make-up and airbrushing, clever special fix after filming in front of a green screen, or a photo of someone who used to be overweight and is now fit and trim, they all go through a dramatic makeover of sorts.   
 
But nothing comes close to the 'before' and 'after' of a Christian.  If you re trusting in Jesus, you have been changed in the most dramatic and remarkable of ways.  This is no mere touching up. This isn't some clever digital effect.  This is not brought on by drinking a disgusting smelling green liquid.  This is a major internal makeover that God - and only God - does in our hearts which changes our status for eternity.  In Ephesians 2 Paul starts by telling us our 'before' state and it makes for grim reading: 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Let these words sink in.  Maybe re-read them.   
Do you understand this is your natural status before God?   
Do you realise just how bad the situation is? 

Yet Paul has wonderful news!  He moves from explaining the tragic 'before' to then describing the glorious 'after'.  If I may use this expression, verse 4 contains one of the biggest 'buts' in the bible! 

Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath....4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  

It is truly remarkable.  In Jesus, God raises the spiritually dead!  Just as Christ was raised so too when we are 'in him' we are raised to a new life.  This change isn't something we have earned.  This change isn't something we have done to and for ourselves- we were dead! Just as a physical corpse cannot change their status, so too we couldn't make ourselves alive.   But because of God's love, mercy and grace HE has done it.  He has permanently changed the status of those who trust in Jesus forever! 
 
Do you realise just how good the situation is?  
Are you quick to thank God for how far he has brought you?  
As you reflect on the 'before' do you rejoice in the 'after'?  
Do you marvel and God's kindness to you?  
 
You were dead! Now, you're alive.  Praise God! 
Rich

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Verse for the Year - Top Goals for 2021 - ​Sub Goals 

A message from Phil:
You will be aware of our verse for the year 1 Timothy 2; 3-4 
3....God our Saviour, 4 Who wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth... and the Goals related to that. 


I have now split the goals into more bite sized chunks as shown which I trust you will find helpful:

A Church for all Ages
Sub Goals:

1. Understand what we do already
2. Develop Church as a Family, not as isolated Individuals
3. Give Consideration to an All Age Curriculum by January 2022

 
A Church for our Community
Sub Goals:

1. Grow in Service of our Local Community
2. Create an Inviting and Informative Community Space outside church
3. Embed Social Media in our Culture to double subscribers and followers across all our platforms                                                                                                                                            

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More information will follow with regards to these sub goals but if you have any thoughts in the meantime please do let us know.

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Sussex Gospel Partnership -
​Praying for Grace Plant, Brighton

David Skull (aka Skully) who is currently senior pastor of Grace Church Guildford is committed to planting a new gospel church in Brighton.  By faith, he is looking to move to Brighton with his family this Summer. ​
It would be great for many of us from across the Partnership to come together and pray for this project at two prayer meetings that are being held on Zoom in February and March.
Please click below to register in advance of these meetings in order to receive the Zoom link. 
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkce2urz8sEtV-GaTNPHdHpHhureFAWVkF​

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