The Longing
Stuff that didn't quite make it into The Briefing
Changing the way you look
Carmelina Read / March 2003
When you look at people, what do you think about? As you walk along the street; when you talk to your work mates; when you meet new people—how do you look at them? What do you think about them?
Do any of these thoughts cross your mind?
Gee, she's good looking.
Boy, he talks a lot.
They must be rich if they drive a BMW.
I'll bet she'll get a promotion before me.
He's a doctor, he must be smart.
I wish I had a beautiful house like they do.
Or maybe you're too busy wondering what they think of you to even think about them at all.
We
Repentance
D Broughton Knox / March 2003
It is always interesting to hear the first sermon a minister preaches in his parish, as this is often a key to what he regards as his most important message. And so it is of special interest to note what Jesus preached in his opening sermons.
We read in Mark 1:14, “Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel’”. Or, as Matthew puts it, “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say ‘Repent, for the kingdom is at hand’” (Matt
Let the word do it
D Broughton Knox / March 2003
Church attendance is one of the duties of those who profess to obey Christ, and is a God-ordained means for growth in the christian life. Accordingly, a clergyman often finds himself urging reluctant members to attend more regularly.
From another point of view, however, church attendance is a by-product and not the main objective of the minister's task. It is the consequence of recognition by an individual of the lordship of Christ in his life. Such recognition is the gift of God, wrought through his Word and his Spirit (Matt 16:17).
“Let
Duty of a minister
D Broughton Knox / March 2003
The Christian church is a fellowship and it is a reflection of the heavenly fellowship. This fact is the standard to test certain theories and activities connected with the church. For example, our church services—are they run in a mechanical way, or do we recognize one another's presence as we sing or pray? Take another example: how should a denominational organization be structured? It is plain that central organization can only be justified if it is a strengthening of the fellowship of the congregation, and this means that centralized