Talks

In this second talk on “First Things First”, Matt speaks about God’s plan for us individually, corporately as a local church but also for the worldwide church.
Using the story of Isaac finding a wife (see Genesis 24) he illustrates that there are five elements that we can learn in seeking God’s plans for our lives:

Commanding Scripture: the plan is in line with God’s word
Compelling Spirit: “God-incidences” (as opposed to co-incidences) happen
Common Sense: the obvious fits in with the plan
Council of the Saints: trusted brothers and sisters in Christ agree with the plan
Circumstantial Signs: prayers to confirm the plan are answered

There isn’t only one path for our lives, and sometimes we’re focused on one thing and God is trying to do something else.  Let’s remember that:  “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8.28)

Finally Matt encourages us with 3 things:
God is not finished with you yet! (Jigsaw Picture!) “If you’re not dead, you’re not done!”
Remember God’s big plan for your life: For you to become like his son (Romans 8.29)
Remember God’s biggest plan beyond your life: Salvation for all God’s children

How better could we start the year than by putting “Jesus at the Centre of it all!”?
Matt reminds us that we are in a battle. We are pulled away from Jesus by the world, the flesh and the devil.
It is only in partnership with the Holy Spirit that we can win that battle! The bible tells us: “The Holy Spirit that lives in you is greater than the Spirit that lives in this world” and “Take heart, for I have overcome the world”.
How do we put Jesus in the centre?

Remember who Jesus is: The centre of the universe and also of our lives (Col. 1)
Practice the ways of Jesus by starting a new habit or/and quieting another, eg Prayer, Scripture, Sabbath, Fasting, Community
Seek first the Kingdom of God in relationships, finances, choices and every other area of your life: Jesus is everything!

Now more than ever we need:
1) Good News! -> The Christmas Story is still the best good news: Immanuel, God with us!
2) A Saviour! -> Jesus came to seek and save the lost!
3) to make room for Jesus to live in us
4) to adore Him

Enjoy with us the wonder of Christmas surrounded by carols and candle light

What is ordinary? 365 prophecies point to Jesus. Fulfilling only just 48 of these would make Jesus one in a 1000000/157 (seamingly endless zeros). But he fullfilled every single one of them!
There is more factual evidence of Jesus than there is of King Henry 8th! Yet, Jesus chose to be born in a stable, to be one of us: Immanuel - God with us!
If that isn’t extraordinary, what is?

We loved our Family Christmas Special Service!  All the children and young people who were involved did an excellent job!

Big thanks to Rich and the EarthShakers Leaders for all the preparation and hard work that went into the morning!

To see the full video from this Sunday, please copy and paste https://www.facebook.com/ashwoodchurch into your Internet Browser. Then scroll down until you see “Ashwood Church was Live on Sunday 11th December 2022”

Listen to some personal stories from several different people - How they had changed and what God was doing in their lives.

Matt reminds us that OUR stories are powerful too - they are unique only to us!  But they become even more interesting and powerful when OUR story becomes part of HIS (God’s) story and HIS story becomes part of OUR story!

Of course, HIS story, includes the Christmas story – the most incredible story ever!  Jesus coming to save the world!

Matt encourages us to do 2 things:
1) Receive afresh the “wonder-filled” news of Christmas!
He says - when somebody asks you during this season “How are you?”, rather than answering “I’m busy!” could our new answer be “I am filled with the wonder of Christmas!”? Matt challenges us to pause every day to consider or reconsider the “Wonder” of Christmas.

2) Go tell it on the mountain!! Matt surprises himself and us – by using the words of this old Christmas song!!  He feels God is encouraging us to be bold! Shout from the mountaintops (Isiah 40) and be the messengers of Hope that people need to hear.  Especially in these troubling times.  Let’s be ready to bring hope and let’s invite people to come and hear the good news of Christmas! “God has planted eternity in the human heart” just not everyone has realised it yet.

In our last talk in our series “Covered in the Dust”, all about following Jesus today - Zoe explains to us what it means to follow Jesus to the cross.
1) Motivated by love
God so loved the world that He gave His only son! As Jesus followers today - how much do we love the world?
2) Following Jesus can be difficult and lonely
Jesus was utterly alone on his dusty journey to the cross. The disciples had either left him or betrayed him, the Jews wanted him dead and the romans either washed their hands of responsibility or were happy to keep the peace. Following Jesus won’t mean a pain free, suffering free life – in fact Jesus said to his disciples: “Take up your cross and follow” in other words you will know what it likes to suffer loss.  Following Jesus can be difficult at times also for us.  But Jesus endured the pain and suffering because of the “JOY” of achieving his mission.  Reconciling God to all of mankind.  He can know the Joy in the midst of sorrow and struggle too today.
3) We have the Victory
The cross was not the end or a defeat: Jesus rose from the dead! Neither are the situations and circumstances we find ourselves in today. Ultimately, Jesus is victorious and if we are with Him, then so are we!

In the penultimate part of our “Covered in the Dust” series, Molly tells the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. (John 13)

Molly asks three questions to help us understand this story better:

WHEN? - The very night before he was betrayed, arrested and taken to the cross.

WHAT? – In a hugely radical and poignant move - Jesus - who should have his feet washed by a servant, washed everybody else’s feet whilst his own remained dirty. The same Jesus would carry all our sins (dirt) to the cross and die for them not many hours later. He even washed Judas’ feet, the man who would betray him the very same night! This very practical act, also reminds us of the spiritual cleaning that Jesus does as he takes away our sin. He still wants to cleanse us from sin today.

WHY? - After all the teaching that Jesus had given over the three years with his disciples, he chose to spend his last night demonstrating, with great humility, how they should adopt the position of a servant and give their lives to one another and the world.

As we follow Jesus today – what do we need to do to adopt the position of servants?

Molly ends with a great poem titled “servants”.

Dave Ransome talks about the story of the women who had committed adultery (from John 7:53-8:11) in this next part of our series “Covered in the Dust”.
He explains that the Pharasees were opposed to Jesus purpose to bring God’s Kingdom to earth as it exposed them. When they brought the women who had committed adultery to Jesus she wasn’t their target. Jesus was!
We need to be aware that the enemy has a purpose as well: to steal, kill and destroy. In this story, the Pharisees were the enemy’s tools. Just like the Pharasees used the women to get to Jesus, the enemy uses distractions, health issues and many other problems to get to us.
In this story, Jesus exposes the truth by asking whoever has no sin to throw the fist stone.We can know the situation and talk truth when we ask God to show us.
Jesus is also ready to stand up for justice. Are we? In unexpected situations, in politics and the media?
Jesus came in love to bring reconciliation, he exposed truth and empowered others to make good decisions. Dave challenges us to ask ourselves this question: Where have I condemned rather than loved?