Opening THE Book with Rev John K-S September 2020

Rev John Kinchin-Smith
Assistant Minister, St Andrew’s Church
 

Last month we learned that the Bible teaches that Jesus of Nazareth was God’s rescue of the human race from misery, suffering and ruin. The story of Jesus is told in the first four books of the New Testament: the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The word ‘Gospel’ literally means ‘Good News’. The rest of the New Testament generally refers to Jesus as ‘Jesus Christ’ – literally ’Jesus the anointed one’. In Hebrew the word is Messiah
 
Many of the difficulties people find with descriptions of God in the Old Testament is because there was both a gradual revelation of God and gradual understanding of God during those early centuries before Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that it is in Jesus that we see God’s nature and character most fully and perfectly revealed. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus)” (Colossians chapter 1 verse 19) And “In him (Jesus) was life...the light of all mankind...the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (from John chapter 1)
 
Let us listen to some of the things Jesus said:
“I have come that (people) may have life and have it to the full” (John chapter 10 verse 10)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew chapter 11 verses 28-29)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew chapter 5 verses 3-9)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John chapter 3 verse 16)
 
 

also published by St Andrew's Church in the Gorleston Community Magazine

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