Living Word community Church Basildon

The first in a series called Looking at 23

The Living Word Eldership and Chair of Trustees set out a vision for building the kingdom of God in a digital age. This response to the coronavirus outbreak calls on all of us to partner together in shaping new ways to reach out with the love of Jesus.

The theme of Ricky's message in the light of the coronavirus threat is, "if you don't want to be ruled by fear then don't take your eyes off Jesus, for fear mustn't halt the mission of the church to advance. The only fear we should entertain is for the loss of those who as yet don't know Jesus".

Jonathan continues in the theme of discipleship and hospitality drawing from personal experience.

Rick boldly confronts the sensitive issue of how we as Christians handle the money that God has given us to manage, reminding us that God owns all of us, and all that we have.

Helen provides us with a helpful insight explaining Jesus' act of cursing the unfruitful fig tree, and the likely reason why in Mark's gospel the account of Jesus driving out the moneychangers from the temple is sandwiched between the two parts of the fig tree encounter. She further encourages all Christians in how they might develop their relationship with God.

Continuing in the theme of hospitality and discipleship, Rick personalises the story of the wedding banquet (Luke 14) as a reminder of the obligation of all Christian believers to diligently pursue giving invitations to everyone who has yet to experience Jesus' amazing gift of everlasting life, to come and discover such abundant life for themselves.

Moving from the story Jesus told about the separation of the sheep from the goats, Rick continues his theme pertaining to discipleship and hospitality, showing that the latter is so much more than just providing the odd meal; adhering more closely to matters like clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the lonely and healing the sick, all done in the context of love.

Bladimir clearly illustrates the significance of Christian baptism using not only the words and instructions from the New Testament, but also using foreshadowing events symbolised in the Old Testament

By occasionally scrunching up a sheet of paper and throwing it aside, Rick graphically illustrates his talk by showing how important it is that we don't throw away or waste all the opportunities that God provides for us to develop our relationship and grow closer to Jesus.

Rick elaborates upon a baptism that was videoed of a friend who came to faith during a visit to Basildon last year. He uses this as a preamble to a new teaching series on the importance of discipleship.

As Living Word Community Church faces the new year, and indeed a new decade, Rick takes a few minutes to state our intent and purpose in the coming period as a community of God's people, immediately followed by Tim outlining the means by which we can all better focus on pursuing God's purposes through effective prayer whilst fasting.

In the build up to Christmas celebrations, Rick reminds each of us of the fact that we have all been saved from an eternal future without God, but by His grace He has restored us into relationship with Him. As such we are not superior in any way to those who don't yet know Him, and should therefore retain an 'attitude of gratitude' whilst wholeheartedly endeavouring to share the good news that they too can experience.

Rick looks beyond the wonder of the nativity scene towards the challenge for every Christian to boldly share the good news that Jesus, our super-hero, brings.

Tim takes us through a prophecy made in Isaiah 9:6-7 some seven hundred years ahead of Jesus' birth that fully describes His incarnation and majesty.

Continuing the thoughts of last week, and considering the beautiful manner a woman served Jesus by anointing His feet with expensive perfume, Rick challenges us all to work alongside God using our various gifts to similarly honour Him and fulfil His purposes for our lives.

Ricky delves into the narrative of Moses frustration in hitting the rock in the wilderness and failing to give glory to God for the water that the disgruntled people were so desperate to receive. Ricky uses this illustration to remind the church to remain in the favour of God by closely following His instructions, so that the refreshing will come from rivers of living water and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jonathan continues in the series 'Principles of the Christian faith' revealing the importance of relationship in the multiple aspects of our endeavour to walk according to God's values.

Rick clearly and fervently expounds upon the importance of sharing the gospel within the process of 'making disciples'

In the context of Jesus' discussion with the rich young ruler, Rick convincingly likens this encounter to reveal the importance of discarding any personal idol that that stands in the way of Jesus' Lordship in our lives.

Bladimir shares the fulness of blessing that every believer in Jesus Christ can expect when we appropriate and align with God's vision for His people.

Marcus asks us, "what do you do when the wine runs out?" ; illustrating that in the moments of need that everyone experiences, Jesus can always provide an answer.

Brian uses Jesus' final words before his ascension, to grasp more fully His intent in commissioning His followers to go and make disciples.

In the context of the baptism of a new believer, Ricky talks about the truth of God's word

Chrissie makes an impassioned plea to the Christian believer to stand firm and protect oneself using the whole armour of God.

On the very same day of their 40th wedding anniversary, Tim and Sue Blake share together the profound mystery of two becoming one both in relationship, and in speaking of Christ and His church

From Ephesians 5, Keith elaborates upon the process of becoming imitators of God

Bladimir talks us through the weaning process of Christian growth from spiritual infancy towards maturity (from milk to strong food) by allowing the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide and instruct.

Tim reveals the profound, essential presence and influence of the Holy Spirit in the life of every Christian using Ephesians 4 as the basis of his talk.

Using Ephesians 4, Ricky asks the question 'What does unity mean to the Christian?' and argues that unity, like love, is not a feeling but a choice, and comes from focusing on the things we have in common, not doctrine or practices, but simply Jesus himself.

Sue uses verses from Ephesians and the story of the prodigal son, along with illustrations from the time of the Second World War, to provide examples of God's love working in different peoples' lives.

Following the annual church review of finances by our Treasurer,Tony Jones, where the numerical content was mainly screened, Rick Harvey briefly focused attention on a disproportionate area of our expenditure before handing over to the Chair of Trustees, Dave Donoghue to reveal the church's stance on safeguarding. Rick then concluded by reviewing the past year and declaring his hope and vision for the church in the coming days.

Rick reminds us of the special nature of our adoption by God. We were chosen!... Chosen to be part of a new body of believers, part of a new family with a unique role within it!

Brian examines Satan's strategy to discredit the Christian and entice him to sin, revealing the power we are given to resist Satan's intent.

Keith helpfully describes the metaphor that reveals our function in the body of Christ and the manner of our link with Jesus as the head of that body.

Rick continues the study in Ephesians with a more detailed look at the theological concept of the Trinity, showing that God is one being, comprising of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Rick introduces a new series that will extract themes taken from the book of Ephesians. He commences in chapter 1 with an insight into the Apostle Paul, author of the book.

Concluding and summarising our series in Romans, Chrissie exalts us to be on our guard against allowing modern thinking to dilute the truth of the gospel

Using a verse from Isaiah 40, 'Those whose hope is in the Lord will renew their strength', Rick turns to Romans 15 to ask, 'Is your dream God's dream for you?'.....for God is the God of hope ( Rom 15:13) who wants you to overflow with joy and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit, certain of His unique plan for your future.

In his Easter Sunday message, Rick combines the major theme of Romans 13 with the question, 'Do you believe that God is in full control today?'

Keith extracts the key points that Paul was teaching the church at Rome and provides insights, as well as asking pertinent questions, as to their application within present day Christian living.

Ricky asks many telling questions as he takes us on a journey involving our natural behaviour and the biblical standard given in Gal 5:22 revealing the nine-fold characteristics making up the 'fruit of the Spirit'.

In continuing our study in Romans, Ricky reminds us that chapters 10 and 11 fit well with where we are as a church, in that God is seeking to make changes that will benefit us, whilst at the same time assuring us that, 'We are saved by grace'......but for a purpose!......and carry a warning about disobedience and the dangers of modern thinking that seeks to limit and override basic scriptural values.

In obedience to the Holy Spirit's prompting, Alan puts aside his prepared message for the church to share in the context of breaking bread together, the need in these times of significant transition, to reawaken Kingdom priorities within us.

Barbara examines some of the difficult concepts in Romans 9 and highlights Paul's distress and concern for the Jewish race. She also discusses the apparent preference God has for specific individuals amongst His chosen people, and the rejection of others, asking 'Is God unfair in this approach?' In juxtaposition, His inclusion of the gentile world in His gift of salvation reveals His amazingly merciful nature.

Tim provides a clear distinction between believing that individual effort can earn greater favour with God, and the truth that Jesus' sacrifice is solely the basis of our full acceptance by Him.

Using an interpreter to translate from his native Dutch, Raadj brings a powerful message highlighting the differences between 'joy' and happiness, convincingly demonstrating that the 'The joy of the Lord' never diminishes even in times of severe adversity.

Raadj Gonesh gives an impassioned discourse using the Ezekiel 37 narrative on the valley of dry bones to show how the presence of the Holy Spirit can infuse new life into that which is spiritually dead.

Bladimir reminds us of the overwhelming, permanent love of God. His salvation plan leaves us declared 'not guilty' to all our sin, past, present and future. God's punishment for all the sins of the world has been dealt with through the sacrifice provided by Jesus' death on the cross. Such an unmerited gift from God amazingly is irrevocable and allows the believer perfect peace and abundant life.

Tim succinctly elaborates on the difference between the Jew that lives under the Old Testament law, and the New Testament Christian who is a recipient of God's grace guaranteeing knowing peace with Him.