Alive Festival Weekend

I'm not sure that I entirely like this 24-hour availability lifestyle, courtesy of data access, etc.  I was in the Jesus Centre setting up for The Burn when Mick emailed.  "There's been concern expressed about holding the Bank Holiday Festival in the marquee because of the weather and the ground conditions.  What do you think about transferring to Northampton Jesus Centre, and making the programme just Saturday and Sunday?"  There are some endurance challenges that you just don't need.  Thus it turned out to be.

The logistics of attending a Bank Holiday Weekend Festival are pretty impressive.  We start booking local accommodation at least month ahead.  About a week before we travel, we confirm numbers and meal arrangements.  Josh and Viv do a mega spreadsheet with all the vehicles we can summons (about 15) and all the passengers to fit in (usually 90-100).  Hence in recent years we've unified our travel arrangements so everyone travels of Friday afternoon and returns after lunch on Monday.  Not a chance this time: there was the "We're booked in for Friday night" brigade, and the "We're staying over until Monday" brigade.

The nearly 20 of us who were headed for Kings kept it simple.  On Saturday morning we loaded the van with bedding.  Andy dropped it off so we'd get sorted out that bit quicker at supper time.  We were due to lose an hour with the time change anyway.

I was anxious that without the traditional Friday evening warm-up meeting, folks would be milling around more intent on chatting with each other than engaging with the Saturday afternoon event.  When the time came, we had a full house, and an unusual additional ingredient - a full Channel 4 television camera crew.  Joe, the producer, announced that their interest was in "Living Stones as a non-biological family".  Non-biological.  Are they cyborgs, or something?  To be fair, I had been given advance notice, because I was due to take some baptisms, moved for the occasion from the customary tea interval into the evening event programme. 

Mick stunned some of the afternoon congregation with the challenge for single folks to defer marriage until they were 25, to give their best years to God.  I don't know why they were caught unawares; pastorally, this has been the best advice for many years.  It's particularly relevant where folks are selected to be part of a church-planting team or new community foundation, and need to balance the privilege of the call with responsibility to give it their best shot.

During the tea interval I caught up with Hilary.  She normally does all the meals for the marquee team from a catering caravan parked on the site.  "What did you do with the couple of free days?" I asked.  Sensibly, she'd resisted giving over the time to more audit work.  The day was beginning to feel like a speed dating event.  All the people you'd bump into over four days, but only half the time to spend talking with them.

Taking baptisms at Northampton Jesus Centre is an interesting challenge.  The tank is inset in the main stage.  It's so short that there isn't room to stand in the water, lest the poor candidate should crack their head on the steps when they get immersed.  To officiate you squat like a garden gnome over a fish pond, and lean forward you won't lose your balance.  I discussed the arrangements with Joe from Channel 4.  He had previously interviewed a brother from Birmingham, and the deal was that they would film his baptism.  We had two guys to baptise from Yorkshire.  I agreed that one of them would go first, so the camera crew could anticipate the best shots.  Being centre-stage, we introduced everyone so the whole audience got drawn in.  When I checked my phone, Josh had texted, "Stop playing to the camera".  Hmmm.

The great thing about staying at Kings for Bank Holiday Weekends is the Sunday morning cooked breakfast.  This being Easter Day, all the children seemed to be tanking up on chocolate, too.

At the morning event, John had a Jesus Centre spot.  He related how his in-laws had worked abroad, including Jordan.  Here they'd been at state banquets that involved four "sittings".  First the kings and top diplomats dined.  Then they withdrew to a second chamber and were joined by the next-level-down officials and guests.  After this spread, they went to a third room where anybody and everybody attended.  Finally the poor, outcasts and homeless came to the banquet.  This provides the background to Jesus' words, "The last shall be first and the first shall be last".

In the evening "Kids' Splot" teams of nine-year-olds competed to embalm a victim in the manner of eastern burials.  At the response time later, some interesting old friends sought out Mary and I for prayer.  There was an encouraging healing of one sister's knees (sorry it sounds strange).  Paul drove the minibus home.  I was impressed to find we were back by 11.20pm, until someone pointed out that all the clocks were an hour out. 

If you want to listen to the new dvd released over the weekend, Ignite, click on:
https://www.facebook.com/jesus.army?ref=ts&fref=ts

The significance of a prefix (2)

Our salvation begins and ends with the work of Christ, made real to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The New Testament calls this being in Christ.  It’s both a personal and church experience.
PHILIPPIANS 3:10  I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

The important little word.  The prefix co- tells us a lot.  It’s definite and active.  In Greek it’s sym.  We’re introduced to its meaning in our baptism (see Romans 6:3-8; Colossians 2:11-13).  But there’s lots more beyond.

1. Crucified with Him: Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20.
2. Died with Christ:  Romans 6:8, 2 Timothy 2:11.
3. Buried with Him:  Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12.
4. Made Alive with Him:  Ephesians 2:5, Colossians 2:13.
5. Raised with Him:  Ephesians 2:6, Colossians 2:12, 3:1.
6. Living with Him:  Romans 6:8; 2 Timothy 2:11.
7. Seated with Him:  Ephesians 2:6.
8. (Enduring and) Reigning with Him:  2 Timothy 2:12.

GALATIANS 3:26  You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female,

In a fix.  Paul explains how the Jewish law relates to the gospel of Christ.  He majors on a co- word (in fact, repeated): declares…a prisoner, and locked up.  It means all mankind from every religion, culture and ethnic mix is in the same fix.  We feel increasing failure as we aim for goodness.  Every well-intentioned motive and action just leaves us more messed up.  We can’t reach salvation until faith in Christ breaks through. 
GALATIANS 3:21  Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God?  Absolutely not!  For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.  22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.  23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.  24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

In labour.  In the middle of the Romans “crucified… dead… living… with Christ” text is the important clue how it all works.  We share birth or generation with Christ (6:5) that takes us from death to resurrection.
ROMANS 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him

Growth.  Having got across the point that this is a new life, Paul unpacks the results (8:16,17).  The Spirit co-testifies with us, we are co-heirs, we suffer together, and will share His glory.  Christ has pioneered it all.
ROMANS 8:15  you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."  16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Body growth.  Union with Christ by the Spirit leads us to the body of which He is head.  Absolutely.
EPHESIANS 4:15  speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.COLOSSIANS 2:17  the reality, however, is found in Christ.    19 from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Summary.  As well as becoming like Christ (Philippians 3:10) we now have more co- words to focus on.
9. Locked up as prisoners: Galatians 2:22, 23.
10. Generated with Him:  Romans 6:5.
11. The Spirit’s witness:  Romans 8:16.
12. Co-Heirs with Christ:  Romans 8:17, Ephesians 3:6.
13. Sharing His suffering: Romans 8:17.
14. Sharing His glory:  Romans 8:17.
15. Joined/fitted into the body whose Head is Christ:  Ephesians 2:21, 4:16.
16. Held together:  Ephesians 4:16, Colossians 2:2, 19.
17. Bound in (for growth):  Colossians 2:19.

Application.  The dynasty and destiny of Adam is ended, and humanity’s life-spring must become Christ.
* Describe your experience of being locked-up in the frustration of trying to live a good life outside of Christ.
* Have you fully discarded all the marks and influence of your first birth to start again and rise with Christ?
* Is some notional “relationship with Christ” salvation?  Or the gritty working out of loyalty in the Body’s life?

All quotations are from the New International Version

The significance of a prefix (1)

Things go amiss in the church because we send the wrong man to do the job.  Whether it’s raising money for a Jesus Centre, bringing up children, counselling relating couples, leading people to faith, maintaining our gardens and property, stamping on Mammon in common purse community, standing up to mockery or pressure from friends, shepherding and training the saints entrusted to leaders, loving the fellow-workers in the kitchen or office – we must send Christ, not Adam.  Often we don’t; result – a mess!

GALATIANS 2:20  but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
 
An important little word.  “I’m Peter Graham, your captain on this flight, and our co-pilot assisting me is Andreas Von Graff…”  The prefix co- tells us a lot.  It’s definite and active.  In Greek it’s sym.  We use it directly in symmetry, symphony and sympathy – measuring the same, and making music together and feeling together.  Here’s what the bible tells us we have co-accomplished with Jesus Christ – all in our baptism:

1. Crucified with Him: Romans 6:6 (and Galatians 2:20).
2. Died with Him:  1 Timothy 2:11.
3. Buried with Him:  Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12.
4. Made Alive with Him:  Ephesians 2:5, Colossians 2:13.
5. Been Raised with Him:  Ephesians 2:6, Colossians 2:12, 3:1.
6. Living with Him:  Romans 6:8; 1 Timothy 2:11.
7. Seated with Him:  Ephesians 2:6.
8. (Enduring and) Reigning with Him:  1 Timothy 2:12.

Here are some of the texts, to run your eye down.
ROMANS 6:3  Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.  8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.  
EPHESIANS 2:4  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.  6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  8 For it is by grace you have been saved,
COLOSSIANS 2:11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.  13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,  God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us all our sins, 
2 TIMOTHY 2:8  Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.  This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.  But God's word is not chained.  10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.  11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. 

Hidden, Guarded and Defended.  Our self-life is the most protected place on the planet.  We substitute and sacrifice anything else as long as it may live.  This is the complete opposite of God’s intention; God Who takes the greatest pleasure in disclosing Himself, sharing Himself and expending Himself freely.  We were created with an amazing self-conscious capacity, like God.  We were made to reflect on our being, intending, and doing, and live to together in mutual support.  The fall made it all go wrong.  Our self-life is a traitor and tyrant in our centre.  We need a stronger Self to overcome and evict this self, and to rehabilitate us.  This is exactly what God did through Jesus Christ’s cross and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit through our baptism. 

Meet the family.  Watchman Nee says, “Self in the church builds five feet of wall, then knocks it down.”  A brother said, “We manoeuvre to a place where we avoid accountability, then complain that we’re unfulfilled.”  We promote self-esteem that isn’t based on any virtue that connects with God’s goodness, then find people can’t cope.  Selfishness has distorted some good self definitions and introduced many fallen ones; here’s some:
Self -absorbed, -abuse, -accusing, -accusing, -actualisation, -admiration, -affirmation, -awareness, -centred, -conceit, -concern, -condemnation, -confidence, -control, -deception, -defence, -delusion, -destructive, -determination, -development, -discipline, -effort, -enlightenment, -esteem, -evaluation, -exalting, -examination, -expression, -forgiving, -fulfillment, -gratification, -harm, -hatred, -help, -improvement, -indulgence, -injury, -interest, -justification, -love, -made, -management, -motivated, -opinion, -pity, -preoccupied, -preservation, -promotion, -protective, -realisation, -recommending, -regard, -rejection, -reliance, -righteousness, -sacrifice, -serving, -sufficiency, -worth…

Application.  People look at their background to explain behaviour: baptism requires that we look forward.
* Have you or others been disappointed with the results of your baptism/initiation?  Why may this be so?
* How have people challenged you lately?  Did you respond with deceit, defense, depression, or change?
* Corinth’s church was full of self-living saints, despite many gifts of the Holy Spirit.  How’s your scene?

All quotations from the New International Version