Why are you wearing trainers today?

Before moving to CBC we lived in a part of north west London where there was a large Jewish community and a number of synagogues. Today, in that part of London, and in many other parts of the world, you would have seen smartly dressed men and women walking along the road wearing trainers. I remember thinking that this was a bit strange the first time I saw it. It's not even like they were black trainers. Where were all the smart shoes to match the clothes?

Today (11-12 October 2016) is the most holy and solemn day within the Jewish year - Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement. It is a day of fasting and prayer, a day of asking for forgiveness for sin. It is a solemn day - a day of personal sacrifice. (Which is where the shoes come in - amongst other things Jews are not to wear leather on this most holy day.)

Regular visitors to this blog will know that last year we looked at the passages in Leviticus that dealt with God giving Moses the instructions for the Day of Atonement. You'll find these posts here and here.

Two Sundays ago at CBC we were looking at the story of Achan - see here. A story which reminds us of the seriousness of sin. The Day of Atonement speaks of that seriousness and God's provision for dealing with those consequences - a festival that ultimately points to Jesus' death on the cross. Putting things right between us and God once and for all.

Jesus steps in

Apparently sermons on sin and judgement are really unpopular. I'm guessing therefore that blog posts on these subjects are even more unpopular! At least when you're in church and the preacher announces the theme of his or her sermon you actually have to get up and physically leave - whereas when it comes to something on the internet something else is only a click away.

Last Sunday, as we continued our series on Joshua we came to the story of Achan. You'll find the full story in Joshua 7. But by way of summary:

When God had given the Israelites victory over the city of Jericho, one of God's instructions was that everything in the city was to be devoted to God. But Achan, it turns out, saw some things he wanted - and so he took them for himself and hid them in his tent. As a consequence of this sin God's anger 'burned against Israel' and when they went up against the next city Ai they were defeated.

It was revealed that someone had sinned and the following morning the people were called forward tribe by tribe, then clan by clan, then family by family. And so Achan was exposed and to cut the story short, Achan, his family and all his possessions were destroyed.

This story shows us various things about sin - one of which is the seriousness of sin. The consequences of his actions were drastic. 

When we come into the New Testament the seriousness of sin is demonstrated by the cross. God's love was demonstrated for us on the cross - as Jesus paid the price for our sin.

At that point where we were called forward tribe by tribe, then clan by clan, then family by family - as it came to our turn to step forward, Jesus steps in instead, and takes our punishment in order that we might live.

I don't know about you but I'm thankful for the cross and that I live in the light of the New Testament.

Syria's Forgotten Families

At our Members' Meeting on Wednesday we watched 'Syria's Forgotten Families' - a brief insight into the work that BMS World Mission are doing amongst Syrian refugees in Lebanon. 

If you weren't there don't worry - you can watch it here - right now.

Syria's Forgotten Families

This coming Sunday we're going to be celebrating Harvest at CBC - by both thanking God for what he has provided for us, but also remembering those who are not so fortunate. 

I am sure we've all seen many news stories over the last year about the refugee crisis. This week there has been much said on the future of the 'Jungle'. And I'm sure that many of us will have watched those reports and wondered what on earth we can do to help. The crisis seems so huge and complex - what difference can we possibly make?

BMS World Mission is making a difference in the lives of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. We're going to hear a bit about that difference on Sunday morning and learn how we can get involved too.


Avine's Story - Syria's Forgotten Families from BMS World Mission on Vimeo.

Also on Sunday we're going to be collecting food for our local Food Bank. Here's a list of the things they're currently in need of:

TINNED TOMATOES
TINNED PULSES
SMALL SALT (65 GRM)
SMALL PEPPER (35 GRM)
PASTA ‘N’ SAUCE MIX
SNACKS (NUTS, DRIED FRUIT ETC.)
SWEETS - ADULT & CHILD
INSTANT NOODLES
INSTANT CUSTARD MIX
SPONGE PUDDINGS - LONG LIFE
OTHER PUDDINGS
SHAMPOO

TOOTHPASTE - ADULT & CHILD