I could never become a Christian because......

Article of the week #1

I thought Iain and I would stick something up once a week for those of you who spend far too much time surfing the net while in work. Anyway I hope we can point you to a profitable article each week and feel free to discuss, comment etc.

This year as I'm sure you're aware is the Calvin 500 celebrations. Graham even brought me back John Calvin mints from his trip to Geneva

Garry Williams of the John Owen Centre has written this article 'John Calvin in the valley of the shadow of death'. Enjoy!!

West London Ministry Morning

Today was the inaugural West London Ministry morning at Duke Street Richmond for ministers and church staff on our side of town. We had a fantastic morning together with Dick Lucas giving 2 sessions on 'the Gospel at risk' and 'The man of God at risk' both introducing the pastoral epistles. Garry Williams gave a paper on 'Calvin and justification'. Both speakers were terrific.

Around 30 of us were there which is way beyond expectations and there was a real sense of excitement at being together. There were a number of really good men who couldn't be there so do please pray that this would develop and we would have wisdom as we plan for the future.

Dick's last session was particularly helpful. He asked us 7 questions from the pastorals saying that the big call of 2 Timothy was to endure and what would stop Timothy and us from enduring

1. Would sin ever take him?

Drink, money, sex, rage these flaws push people out of ministry. Every generation faces these challenges.

2. Would opposition break him?

3. Would sheer hard work wear him down?

4. Would disgrace destory him?

5. Would the undoubted success of the false teachers shame him?

6. Will weariness in the fight cause him to stop battling?

7. Would the sheer worldliness of the church discourage him?

ELT - Psalm 23

Tomorrow at ELT -1:10 @ the Ealing Town Hall. I'm speaking on Psalm 23. Next week Iain starts a series on I could never be Christian because..........

Tomorrow

Iain is starting a 3 parter on Psalm 51, Andrew Rae is on in the evening on 1 John 3. I'm preaching away all day at Highgate Road Chapel - whose website bears an uncanny resemblance to ours!! and Hristo is at South Ealing mission in the morning.

Not had enough Downes?

His Premier radio interview is available here

This Sunday

This coming Sunday morning I will begin a three part series looking at Psalm 51 examining the seriousness and forgiveness of sin.

Andrew Rae will be preaching in the evening.

Further to Paul's post, Martin Downes' church do put their sermons online here -
https://cid-d4529e969ee3094f.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Sermons%20-%20Christ%20Church%20Deeside

Prayer Meeting tomorrow night

8pm at 53 Drayton Green we'd love to see you

Church Weekend

Thank-you to all who contributed to a fantastic weekend. So many folk worked hard with food, admin and general stuff. It was very encouraging to be there. Martin Downes was terrrific and is worth listening to again.

I found 2 sermons he gave at LCPC in 2007 , you can listen to them here

Church Weekend Seminars

Covenant Theology - Martin Downes
David Brainerd - Iain Clements
Prayer - Graham Weeks