Hertford Baptist Church

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Sunday 7 February

am               The faith of (Maximum Decimus Meridius) the Centurion                Matthew 8:5-13
David Lockwood
It is a great challenge for Christians today to understand what it means to recognise and submit to the authority of Jesus.  We call him Lord, but how does this translate by the way we live our lives each day?

pm               United in Christ                                                                                       Romans 5:1-11
Steve Fenton
Having made a case for those saved by faith in Christ being 'justified' or 'acquitted' before the judgement seat of God, in this magnificent passage Paul tells his readers what it means here and now.  Namely, peace, grace, hope and joy - especially joy in God himself!  Paul is saying we should be the most positive people in the world characterised not by self-centred complacency but by God-centred worship.

Sunday 14 February

am               Believing & Baptism                                                                               Matthew 3:13-17 & 28:16-20
Steve Fenton
Why do we practise believer’s baptism?  Firstly, because Jesus was baptised (Matt. 3:13-17); Jesus taught baptism (Matt. 28:16-20) and the early church practised believer’s baptism (Acts 2:38; 8:12; 10:47-48; 16:15 & 32-33).  Furthermore, baptism is symbolic of spiritual realities such as forgiveness (Acts 22:16); dying to the old self and being raised to new life in Christ (Rom. 6:1-4); and belonging (1 Cor. 12:12-13).  But what of the link between baptism and church membership?  That is the topic we begin to explore together today.

pm               Commissioned to Go                                                                              Joshua 1:1-11
Steve Fenton
Joshua had a clear sense of call from God to enter new territory.  In this short passage we see how God guides, provides, protects and has a plan and purpose for Joshua.  Countless believers in Jesus since have experienced a similar sense of call, stepped out in faith and discovered God to be with them - guiding, providing, protecting and revealing his plans and purposes. Two such people are Paul and Dawn Weston who this evening we commission to serve God and to serve people in Asia.

Steve Fenton
On the one hand crowds were gathering around Jesus captivated by his teaching.  On the other, opposition was growing as religious leaders stirred up trouble - some even suggesting Jesus was in league with the devil (v. 24). In this passage we see a contrast between those who listen with humility and act in obedience - and those who accuse and find fault with Jesus in what he does and the way he does it. This passage is a great encouragement to us to ensure we are open and attentive to what God is doing by his Spirit.

pm               The Desert Place                                                                                    Psalm 42
David Lockwood
In the book ‘A Grief Observed’, C. S. Lewis describes his experience as the perceived absence of God in a time of hopelessness and despair.  In particular times in the Bible and in the lives other Christians throughout the ages, people endure what is sometimes called the ‘desert place’, an occasion where one feels heaven’s door closed shut during a time of deep longing for God’s presence.  What are the survival skills that can help us endure such times?  What can we learn from the experience of other prominent Christians?

David Lockwood
From unbelief to guesswork to demonstration of power to revelation.  This section speaks volumes of Jesus’ identity, his character and power.  But while the focus is centred on Christ we are left with a great challenge as to how we respond when the challenge is laid down.