ALPHA BIBLE COURSE

 

 

1.     Is there more to life than this?                                  9 June 2020

2.    Who is Jesus?                                                            16 June 2020

3.    Why did Jesus die?                                                    23 June 2020

4.    How can I have faith?                                                30 June 2020

5.    Why and how do I pray?                                             7 July 2020

6.    Why and how should I read the Bible?                        21 July 2020

7.    How does God guide us?                                              28 July 2020

8.    The Holy Spirit                                                          4 August 2020

9.    What does the Holy Spirit do?                                    11 August 2020

10. What does the Holy Spirit do? (Part 2)                       18 August 2020

11. The Holy Spirit (Part 3)                                              25 August 2020

12. How can I make the most of the rest of my life?       1 September 2020

13. How can I resist evil?                                                 8 September 2020

14. How to share our faith                                               15 September 2020

15. Does God heal today?                                                 22 September 2020

16. The Church                                                                29 September 2020

 

ALPHA SESSION 1 - IS THERE MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS?

Life is busy - every day we ask so many questions but then there are those bigger questions such as "Why am I here?" "Where am I heading?"  "Is there more to life than this?"  There is rarely enough time to think them through.  There are different experiences to life.

Alpha is designed for those who wouldn't call themselves Christian or go to church.

Nicky Gumbel - would have called myself an argumentative atheist - believed Christianity is outdated and irrelevant but something was missing.  Was always looking forward to next thing in life, longing for more.

Quote from Jim Carrey and Freddie Mercury

Some people dream of having their name in lights, others dream of making a name for themselves through their career.

John 6 verse 35 "I am the bread of life."

Jesus claimed to be the one who can satisfy spiritual hunger.

John 14 verse 6 "I am the way, the truth and the life."

The difference Jesus makes - he is the lens through which we see God and the way we see the world in a different light.

Nicky Gumble decided to look at the evidence and was surprised to see how much evidence there was for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lord Denning - he examined the evidence and said it is true.  The most tattered book he had was his bible.

C S Lewis - Mere Christianity

There is a difference in knowing the facts about someone and really knowing a person personally.

Head knowledge - heart knowledge.

When Jesus talked it was more than intellect truth.

"I am come that you might have life and have it to its fullest."

False guilt and true guilt = wonderful news that God loves you and me.  God came in the person of Jesus Christ to die for you and me on the cross.  He took all of our guilt, died in our place in order that we could be forgiven.  When we receive forgiveness we experience life and life in all its fulness.  Life at its very best.

Testimony of Bear Gryllis.

Nicky Gumble - used to think Christianity was boring, untrue and irrelevant but now realise Jesus is the way to God, the one who brings purpose to our life.  Life is found in a relationship with him.

ALPHA SESSION 2 - WHO IS JESUS?

2 billion people claim to follow Jesus, that is 1/3 of the world.

Nicky Gumbel - my father, mother, sister, son, daughter, grandfathers on both sides, uncle are all barristers.  My father was a secular Jew, escaped Holocaust.  My mother was not a church goer.  My father described himself as an agnostic.  I too was atheist.  I was quite suspicious of Christians.  My friend Nicky Lee became a Christian and I was horrified.  Set out to investigate the Bible - read through the whole of the New Testament and came to the conclusion that it was true.

Scientists work on the basis of when and how the world came into being but it cannot answer who and why.  The creator of the world can tell who made it and why he made it.  The creator has revealed himself in the person of Jesus and the evidence is not scientific evidence.

Historical evidence - things happened in the past.  A jury takes a step of faith based on the evidence presented.

Why start with Jesus?  I came to believe in God through Jesus' resurrection.  His resurrection suggests this world has a creator.

Is there evidence that Jesus of Nazareth existed?  The Roman historians wrote about Jesus.  There is evidence outside of the New Testament but most comes from within.  Many say the NT was written so long ago how do we know it hasn't been changed over time?  Textual criticism proves the accuracy, authenticity and reliability of the bible.  Quote from F J A Hort.

Who was Jesus?  Fully human yes but many will say he was only a a great spiritual leader.  Quote from Bono "I believe that Jesus was the Son of God."

What evidence is there to suggest that Jesus was more than a great religious teacher?  What did he think about himself?  Was he right?  First piece of evidence is the fact that his teaching was centred on himself.  Most religious leaders point away from themselves.  In pointing people to God he pointed to himself.  Jesus said "I am the bread of life."  He would satisfy spiritual hunger - "if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed." 

What about worry, anxiety, guilt, fear - "come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest."  if you receive me you welcome God.  If you have seen me you have seen God.

Forgiveness is at the heart of Christianity.  Your sins are forgiven.  When Jesus said that the religious leaders said "who can forgive sins but Jesus alone?"  Jesus came to give life so that people's sins can be forgiven.  Then Jesus said "I and the Father are one".  Religious leaders said this was blasphemy and punishable by death (stoning).  Jesus did make that claim and it needs to be tested.  There are only 3 possibilities - he knew it wasn't true.  If it was true then Jesus was deluded.  The third possibility was that it is true. 

Quotation from C S Lewis

Was Jesus right in what he said about himself?  The first piece of evidence was his teaching.  On one occasion 5000 gathered on a hillside and Jesus taught them - the Sermon on the Mount.  It is the greatest teaching of all time.  The foundation of our entire civilisation is based on this Sermon on the Mount.  In 2000 years no-one has impoved on the moral teaching ever spoken by Jesus himself.

Quotation from TIME Magazine.

His enemies could not find fault and his friends found he had no sin.  Jesus himself said "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."

He was the fulfilment of the Old Testament - no-one has had a whole collection of prophecies written before he was born.  There are 300 OT Prophecies about Jesus, 29 of which were fulfilled in one single day.  He had no control over these things including the exact manner of death, his place of birth and death.

The final piece of evidence is his conquest of death and the physical resurrection of Jesus - that is the corner stone of Christianity.  We are all going to die - death is final.  Unless Jesus died, was buried and then raised to life.  Death has been conquered.  But is this wishful thinking?

Did Jesus rise from the dead?  There are 4 pieces of evidence for the resurrection.

1.  absence from the tomb  2.  his presence with his disciples (11 different occasions and on one he was seen by 500 people)  3.  the transformation in the disciples (a group of people who were disillusioned and despairing, their leader was dead, then suddenly they started to tell others he was alive, they knew it was true and their movement swept around the world)  4.  it is still happening around the world today.

Wha are we to make of Jesus - he really did claim to be a man whose identity is God.  Evidence of his teaching, life, prophecy, fulfilment seems absurd, unbelievable.  On the other hand provides the strongest supporting evidence what he said about himself is true.

Nicky Gumbel - provided the ultimate meaning and purpose to my life.  What Jesus said was true "I am come that you might have life and life in all its fulness.  God has revealed himself in Jesus.  Jesus is really who he claimed to be.

There is hope beyond this life.  There is hope for this life right now.

ALPHA SESSION 3 - WHY DID JESUS DIE?

The cross is the symbol of the Christian faith, the logo if you like of Christianity.  One third of the gospel is about the death of Jesus and the rest of the New Testament is spent explaining why Jesus died.  Why did Jesus die?  Because he loves you.  Paul said "The Son of God loved me and gave himself for me."  You are loved.  That is the message at the heart of the New Testament and the heart of this universe.  If you had been the only person in the world Jesus would have died for you.  He loves you that much.  His love is unconditional, whole hearted, continual and the greatest love you could ever imagine.  God's amazing love for you = cross.  Why was it necessary?  You are created in the image of God.  You are God's master piece.  Something amazing about every human being.  Human beings are capable of such great creativity.  Human beings are capable of self sacrifice.  There is another side to the coin - we are also capable of such bad stuff.  The world is more complex, not just good and bad but it is more complex than that.  You just have to lift and open the newspapers to  see the terrible evil going on in the world.  People are capable of doing some very bad stuff.  "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  Romans 3 verse 23.

Sin of religious guilt.  Synonymous with something that is enjoyable.  We can say chocolate is sinful - recent ad said "how can something so good be so sinful?"  Sin in the bible is more profound.  Not talking about accidental mistakes.  Our seemingly natural inclination to mess things up.  Often we look at others and say comparatively we are not that bad.  If we are honest with ourselves we have done some things wrong.  Paul says "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God".  The glory of God is revealed in Jesus.  There are consequences to the things we do wrong.  Then we ask "We are all in the same boat, what does it matter?"  Just as pollution of environment is a major problem Jesus said it is  also possible to pollute your heart and life.  The bad stuff is also attractive.  Sin poisons our relationship with one another.  Sin is powerful.  Paul said "What I want to do I do not do and what I hate to do I do"  Just like heroin sin is addictive.  It is  also possible to be addicted to envy, pride, bad language.  This is the slavery Jesus speaks of that has a destructive power over our lives. 

There is something in human nature that cries out for justice.  When we hear of child molestation or an elderly person attacked in their home we long for people to be caught and punished, to bear the penalty for sin.  Our sins also deserve to be punished too.  It is easy to think of others but less about ourselves.  Romans 2 verse 1.  The things we do wrong created a barrier between us and God and it is like the breakdown of a relationship.  That is the problem so what's the solution?  Good news is God loves you.  He came to earth in the person of his son to do something about it.

1 Peter 2 verse 24 It has been described as self substitution of God.

Story of Maximilian Kolbe during war

Jesus died instead of you and me.  The New Testatment does not dwell on the physical suffering.  Other people have suffered more horrible deaths.  The suffering of Jesus was unique not only suffering emotionally and physically but spiritually.  Bearing your guilt and my guilt.  The results of the cross is like the different facets of a beautiful diamond.  One facet shows how much God loves you.  Guilt is feeling bad about things done.  Shame is about who you are.  Jesus took both on the cross, no need for guilt and shame because you are loved.  You are worthy.  What you are worth to God.  Jesus died for you.  You are of infinite value to God because Jesus died for you.  That is how much he loves you.  Another facet shows also the true nature of love.  It involves action.  Jesus demonstrated that.  He showed his love by laying down his life for you.  He sacrificed himself for you.

Believing in God does not mean you cannot have doubts.  How can suffering happen when God loves us?  Those are questions that creep up a lot in the Bible.  In the Psalms we read "why is God so far away?"  It is important for us to ask those, to have doubts.  Jesus himself said "my God, my God why have you forsaken me?"  It was his death that gave answers.  God is not aloof, sitting far away.  He came in Jesus and suffered himself.  He knows what it is like to suffer.  He died and therefore he understands what it is to go through that.  Jesus resurrection shows us death is not end ultimately.  Jesus has defeated death.  One day there will be no more suffering and pain.

The resurrection was not the reversal of a defeat that had taken place on the cross, it is a manifestation of a victory.  The bad stuff will not have the last word.  Evil has been defeated on the cross.  The cross dealt with all these problems.  We talk about sin.  "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself."  Not God punishing some innocent third person.  Jesus.  God himself came to this earth in the person of his son.  Reconciling us to God.  Story of the prodigal son gone from home, left his father then he comes back home, embraces us, holds us, kisses us.  We are reconciled.  Can have close relationship with father.

Jesus has paid the price all you have to do is accept the gift.  Cannot do what we like rather than believing.  Rather than being the reason to sin it is an incentive not to sin. 

Shane Taylor's testimony - in prison for 2 attempted murders, went on an Alpha Course in prison.

The power of sin is broken through the cross.  "If the son sets you free you will be free indeed."  Our addictions are broken.  Jesus sets us free.  Justification happens instantly.  We are put right immediately.  Sanctification means becoming like Jesus, it is a longer process, we receive continual forgiveness.  Once you have experienced God's forgiveness you have to forgive yourself.  If God forgives you, you must forgive yourself.  Forgiveness is a choice not an option.

The first to apologise is the bravest.  The first to forgive is the strongest.  The first to forget is thee happiest.

Corrie Ten Boom - can I forgive?  No but God can.

This total unlimited forgiveness transforms me, my family life, my relationships, all our friendships.  God loves you.  You are loved.  God's son gave himself for you.  It can change everything for you.

ALPHA SESSION 4 - HOW CAN I HAVE FAITH?

Faith is not a blind knowledge.  It is a reasonable step based on good evidence.  It is more like  a journey in some ways.  It is an amazing thing to have a relationship that starts off as a friendship. (testimony of Nicky and Pippa Gumbel)

Becoming a Christian is an exciting adventure -  2 Corinthians 5 verse 7

Some would say "I believe in God, I go to church now and again."  Some might say they are a Christian because they are very nice but many atheists can be nice.  Some would say "I was born a Christian".  A Christian is really Christ In.  Someone who follows Christ, having a relationship with God through Jesus.

What is faith?  Believing in something even though you haven't seen it yourself.

What matters is that you have arrived, now you are a Christian, now.

What does it mean to have faith to be a Christian?  John 1 verse 12

This is the closest possible intimate relationship of love, it is like a parent and a child relationship.  The New Testament often uses the analogy of a husband and wife, a close intimate relationship.  If you are married you know you are married.  If you are a Christian you know you are a Christian - 1 John 5 verse 13.  You can know you have eternal life.  what is this based on?  It is based on facts not feelings.  How am I married - I have a marriage certificate.  How am I a Christian - the bible, the word of God is based on the promises of God - Romans 10 verse 17.

Nicky Gumbel - As I read the bible I became convicted.  It was true faith that came through hearing the word of God - Revelation 3 verse 20.  Holman Hunt's picture of the Light of the world hanging in St Paul's Cathedral.  Jesus is standing at the door knocking, waiting a response, wants to come in and be part of the person's life.  Eating is a sign of friendship.  Jesus wants that friendship if only we would open the door.  Someone pointed out that the handle was on the inside.  We have to open the door so that he will come in.  If you invite him he will come in.  He will be with you for now and for eternity.  His promise is his word.

To show I am married I point to the evidence.  How do I know I am a Christian - point to evidence in history - the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53 verse 6 "all we like sheep have gone astray".  The book represents all we have done wrong.  Jesus did nothing wrong.  He had the perfect relationship with his father, it was 100% pure.  "the Lord has laid on him (on the cross) the iniquity of us all".  What Jesus did on the cross was bear my sin instead of me.  We are free to have a relationship with God.

Some say "I am not good enough" but you come as you are.  It does not matter what you do or achieve.  It depends on what has been done for you by Jesus on the cross.  You can receive total forgiveness through the cross.  Romans 6 verse 23.  It is a free gift.  Eternal life is unlike any other gift.  There is no catch.  It cost Jesus his life.  We receive it through repentance and faith.  Repentence is turning away from the bad things and faith is putting our trust in Christ, a person.

In one sense we all exercise faith every day.  Faith is trust.  You cannot trace it mathematically or scientifically, you have to have both faith and belief.

There is another piece of evidence that I am married - experience of being married.  The Christian can date it to their experience of the Holy Spirit who comes to live within.  The Holy Spirit is like the wind, you cannot see the wind but you know it exists because you see its impact and its power. 

Most of us naturally fear change.  What will it mean for my life to become a Christian - Galatians 5 verses 22 - 24.  Being a Christian does not mean you are better than anyone else.  The Holy Spirit changes how I relate to God and Jesus.

Before I was a Christian Jesus was a swear word, now he is a friend.  The way I relate to other Christians has also changed - before I thought Christians were so wierd.  Now I feel love for people.  Our objective changes.  The subjective experience of the Holy Spirit - Paul said "the spirit of God testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.

The bible uses the analogy of a parent and a child.  God loves us more than any parent loves a child.  The love you have for your friends is another analogy used in the bible.  "I have called you friends"  Jesus wants to be a closer friend than any friend you have.  If you have a good model of marriage you have an insight of God's love for you.  If you have a good model of parenthood you will know God loves you more than any parent.  "The Spirit of God testifies with our spirit that we are children of God."  God wants you to know that you are loved by him.

It is like being hugged, loved, held by God.  That is the subjective experience of God's love.  God wants you to know that you are his child, that you are loved.  You are in a relationship with him.

ALPHA SESSION 5 - WHY AND HOW DO I PRAY

"The only time I chose to pray before I became a Christian was when I was in trouble or when I needed help"

Prayer is the most universal instinct, most of us at some time prayed.  Jesus said "when you pray" not if but Jesus assumes everyone will pray.  If God exists and created us for a relationship talking should be the most natural thing in the world.  It should be the number 1 priority in your life.  "I still find it difficult to pray, I have very distracting thoughts when I pray."

Prayer is the most important activity of your life.  It is for this very purpose you were created.  You were created for a relationship with God.  If you love someone you will want to spend time with them, you want to communicate with them, to grow in your relationship with God you need to pray.  The apostle Paul said "we have life through him, we both have access to the father by one spirit." Ephesians 2 verse 18.  Christian prayer is to the father in heaven.  Before I was a Christian I seen him as autocratic or a judge.  I believe in the God who Jesus describes when he said "our Father in heaven".  Jesus taught us to address God as "Abba" or "pappa".  It is the most intimate word you can use.  Christian prayer is like that, it is to the father who loves you.

Testimony of Alex Douglas, mother with MS, father "just remember we love you"

Jesus tells us to pray to our father in heaven.  This loving father is the creator of the universe.  Genesis says "He made the stars also".  He is the sustainer of everything.  Also through the son Jesus dying on the cross the barrier of sin has been removed.  We have access to God through Jesus the son.  He has invited us to share in the relationship we have with the father.  We pray by the spirit.  The spirit is also one who helps - Romans 8 verse 26.  When you invite Jesus into your life he comes in by his spirit and his spirit helps you to pray.

Story of the soldier in USA going to the White House to speak to President

There are rewards to prayer.  Matthew 6 verse 6 "then your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  The first reward is peace.  Philippians "do not worry about anything but in everything by prayer and petitions let your requests be known unto God" and the reward is "and the peace of God will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  This is peace in the midst of everything, there is a calmness in your heart.

The second reward is a perspective on situations.  Prayer doesn't change us but changes situations - this is the power of prayer.

Story of the 33 miners trapped in the mine in Chile

You cannot prove the existence of God by answers to prayer.  Stuff happens when I pray.

William Temple "when I pray coincidences happen and when I don't they don't"

Use a prayer diary, write out each prayer or use a daily devotional bible to record prayers!

Prayer is not a slot machine!  Prayer is about a relationship with God.  Think of the traffic lights.  Some times you ask for something and you get the green light.  Sometimes it is immediate but sometimes it is a red light and that means no.  That can be hard to understand.  Sometimes it is not at all clear when the answer is no and we cannot understand the reason why.

Nicky Gumbel's story of a friend dying of a heart attack on a squash court

A yellow light means wait, we have not received what we asked for immediately and we have to wait and trust God.  Just because something is not happening for you right now it doesn't mean it will not happen.  It is God's timing.  You have to wait and trust his perfect will.

How do you pray?  Keep it simple.  Keep it honest.  Keep it going.

Keep it simple - reduce it even to one sentence, 5 minutes, 10 minutes for half an hour.

Keep it honest - often think it has to be when we are in a certain mood to be able to pray like when we are peaceful and joyful but that is not always true.  Perhaps there have been times when you have been worried or tired, or frustrated, or angry about something.  The secret is to realise that any of these feelings can become a fruitful prayer.

Keep it going - pray all the time.  For the people around me.

Remember 3 words - thank you, sorry and please.

Thank you - have an attitude of gratitude - to count our blessings before our problems.

Sorry - confession.  Why do we need to do this, surely the Lord has died for our sins and we do not need to keep saying sorry?  Remember when Jesus washed his disciples feet and Peter said he didn't want his feet washed.  Jesus said "unless I wash your feet you will have no part of me."  You don't need a full body wash, you already have done that but you do need a daily wash.  Just as our feet get dirty every day so we need a daily cleansing. 

Praise - for others and ourselves.

Pray any time and any place - there are times when it is great to pray on our own or times when it is great to pray with others.

Corrie Ten Boom "when a train goes through the tunnel and it gets dark you don't throw away the ticket, you wait and trust the driver."

ALPHA SESSION 6 - WHY AND HOW SHOULD I READ THE BIBLE?

We are living in a time when there is better communication than ever before.  As soon as something happens in the world we can know about it..  For many the bible seems outdated, boring, hard to understand.

In the 18th Century Voltair said the bible would become a museum piece within 100 years.  Today the bible is the most popular book in the world.  100,000,000 bibles are given away every year.  The bible is the best selling book every year, it is excluded from the best selling book lists because it would be top of the list every year.   The Psalmist said "it is more precious than gold."  Some have risked their lives to share the bible with others.

Story of Marziyel and Mariyem - giving bibles away.  In one year distributed 20,000.  Spent 9 months in prison for their faith.  For 14 days they were in solitary confinement.  They had 10 trials during the 9 months and were threatened with hanging.  When speaking in Australia one couple told of finding a bible in their postboxes which the girls had placed there and it led their whole family to faith in God.

The bible is inspired by God. "All scripture is inspired by God."  The word used is 'God breathed'.  Why do I believe that the bible is inspired by God?  Because it claims to be, it seems to be and it proves to be.  It claims to be - "all scripture is inspired by God", it seems to be - it has a ring of truth about it and I have proved it to be for the past 40 years.

Over a period of 1600 years the bible was written by at least 40 authors.  The bible is 100% inspired by God. 

St Paul's Cathedral was started in 1875 by Christopher Wren when he was 43 years of age.  He completed it when he was 79 but he never laid a single stone.  He was the inspiration behind it.

God is the architect behind the bible.  The apostle Peter said there were some things in Paul's letter that he found hard to understand.  At the heart of Christianity is the love of God.  When we look at the world and see the amount of suffering how can we hold both together?  Well we have to remember what was happening at the time the bible was written.  To know what God is like we have to look at Jesus.  The more we trust the inspired word of God the more we understand God himself.

People say if there is a God why doesn't he show himself.  Well he has.  Through revealed creation - "the heavens declare the glory of God, the skies show forth the work of his hands."  The very fact that we are here that is something rather than nothing.  It points to a creator.  The fine tuning of a universe - surely only God could have done this.  The fact that we are created with this longing for God.  God supremely revealed himself in a person.  How do we know about Jesus?  Through the Holy Bible.

In the OT through the lessons of Jesus it is all about a person - the person of Jesus Christ.  God has revealed himself through creation - that is why science is so amazing.  There should be no conflict between science and faith.

Dr John Lennox's testimony

It is clear from the gospels Jesus felt the Old Testament was revealed by God.  2 Timothy 3 verse 16.

The bible is full of practical wisdom and for relationships.  It is God's boundaries and guidelines on how to get the most out of life.  We all need boundaries, if there were no boundaries there would be utter chaos.  God wants to give these boundaries because he loves us.  The boundaries are given out of love.  He doesn't want people to get hurt, he loves us too much.

Through the bible God has spoken.  Also through the bible God still speaks.  The bible describes it as a love letter from God.  Jesus said "you diligently study the scriptures because you think by them you inherit eternal life.  These are the things that testify of me."

Jesus makes the point that the purpose of the bible is not just to study the bible for yourself but to bring us into a relationship with Christ.  That is what matters.

Story of Earl Smith

God is longing to communicate with us, to be in a relationship with us.  The best way to invest in this relationship is to read through the bible.  The most important thing you need is a plan - what are you going to read?  Just keep it simple, read the scripture, pray, ask God to speak to you and then apply it.

The most exciting thing to remember is that you are getting to know God and communicating with him.  Not reading the bible is like skipping a meal.  The bible is spiritual food.  Develop a regular pattern of reading the bible each day, pray God will speak to you.

In 1981 Nicky Gumbel's father died.  Roman 10 verse 13 and Acts 2 verse 21 - Do you think the Lord may be trying to speak to you?  If so will you let him?

ALPHA SESSION 7 - HOW DOES GOD GUIDE US?

We all need guidance.  Choice is a good thing.  It doesn't make it any easier.  Does it matter, is choice a good thing?

Someone has said there are 2 greatest days in your life - when you were born and when you find out why - Ephesians 2 verse 10.  God created you.  Your life as a purpose.  God has a significant destiny for you.  God's purpose for our lives is bigger than our mistakes.

"Don't judge me by my successes but judge me by how many times I have fallen down and got back up again." Nelson Mandela.

Testimony of Paul Cowley and his relationship with his father.

We are dealing with a person who loves us and who is infinitely patient - Psalm 32 verse 18.  It is a relationship.  He speaks to us.  How do we hear his voice?  There are 5 ways in which God speaks to us.

1.     Commanding scripture - the Psalmist said "your word is a lamp to my feet and a guide to my path."  The Bible is God speaking.  Our purpose is to know his love for us and then we are called to love other people.  We can love in little acts of kindnesses.  There are so many people struggling in life and little acts of kindness can make a difference.  God's purpose for our lives is to become like Jesus.  To be people of integrity.  There are some things in life you don't need to pray about.  God has good things for you today.  In your life you are not saved by being good but are saved to do good.  God has a unique plan and purpose for you.  He has good things uniquely for you to do.  How do you find God's purpose for your life?

2.    His compelling spirit - the definition of a Christian is someone who is led by the Holy Spirit.  Act 2 verse 22.  God's spirit begins to speak to you.  Jesus said his followers will recognise his voice.  The more you get to know Jesus the more you will recognise his voice.  The Holy Spirit seaks to us as we read the bible and pray.  Acts 13 verse 2.  Prayer is a 2 way conversation.  The Holy Spirit sometimes guides us by giving a strong desire to do something.  Philippians 2 verse 13 "God works in you to will and act according to his good pleasure."  God sometimes speaks in unusual ways - by prophecy, visions, dreams, impressions, through an audible voice.

3.    Counsel of the saints or advice from other Christians.  Proverbs says "The wise listen to advice."  How do you know when it is God speaking to you through his Spirit or your friends and not just you thinking what you want?  In the bible John says "test the spirits to see if they are from God."  Firstly ask it in line with what the bible tells us?  Secondly is it encouraging, loving?  Thirdly do you feel a sense of God's peace "let the peace of God rule in your heart."

4.    Common sense - the bible tells us the general will of God is a high calling.  Paul said "each of us should retain the place in life God assigns to you."

5.    Circumstantial signs - Proverbs 16 verse 9, Psalm 37 verse 5.  God can shut doors as well as open them.  Commit the decision to him and trust him for the result.  God draws alongside us, turns things into something beautiful.

Lord Radstock - piano in hotel downstairs  Paul Cowley's testimony

It is often as we look back on life that we can see God has helped us through our mistakes.  Often as we look back God has been guiding us.  As you read the bible, listen to his spirit, as you talk to your friends you will see your life has a purpose.  You will make a difference, make a greater impact than you ever realised.  One day God will say to you "well down, you have reached your destination."

ALPHA SESSION 8 - WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

What makes you feel lonely? Silence, longing in something within myself, in the deepest part of our being we are lonely, it is just something we are good at hiding.  Most people's image of loneliness is of a little old lady living on the 24th floor on her own.

"The greatest problem in this world is not starvation but loneliness." Mother Theresa

Loneliness is being in this world without a relationship with God.  We are in a relationship with God.

Who is the Holy Spirit? John 15 verse 26 "he will testify about me."  He is not something but someone.  Not a physical person with all the characteristics of a person.  He thinks, he fears, guides, is grieved, he acts, he knows our desires and most of all he loves

What does he do?  He is a counsellor.  The Greek word is Paraclete, one called alongside, the advocate, the encourager, the comforter, the helper.  Literally one called alongside.  When a little ship got in trouble they would send a bigger ship called the paraclete to draw alongside it.  We need thirst not fear of the Holy Spirit.

Father Raniero cantelasso

We should not be afraid of our comforter.  Jesus said "he will testify about me".  His role is to point to Jesus, to draw alongside and draw you into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is a person you can know.  Front and central he was there from the very beginning  All of creation was made through him.  "In the beginning there was God the earth was empty and the spirit of God hovered over the water."

Think of scripture and references to the Holy Spirit - Exodus 31 Bezaliel who was given the Spirit of artistic work.  Gideon, Samson, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Mary, Elizabeth, John the Baptist.

Good uses people who are weak and inadequate.

The Counsellor, the Helper, the gift giver, the guide, the Holy Spirit softens our hearts.

Jackie Pullinger - God wants us to have soft hearts and hard feet but so often we have hard hearts and soft feet.

Joel - prophecy promised the Holy Spirit will appear in a new way - Luke 1 verse 35 to Mary, Luke 1 verse 41 to Elizabeth and Luke 3 verse 16 to John the Baptist.

Jesus to Thomas in Luke 3 verse 22.  Isaiah 61 - Luke 4 verses 18 and 21

The Feast of Tabernacles - John 7 verses 37 - 39 - Jesus being crucified - crucified and resurrected.

Acts 1 verses 4 - 5 Peter explains it - Joel's prophecy this is for you.  Acts 2 verses 38 - 39.  The promise of life giving water, the gift of the Holy Spirit.

ALPHA SESSION 9 – THE HOLY SPIRIT (CONTINUED)

What is the greatest human need?  Happiness, family, money, career, TV, food, affection - no love!

Love is what the Christian faith is all about.  The word love in the bible is a synonym for the Holy Spirit.  Every Christian has the Holy Spirit living in them but not every Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit.  In Ephesians 5 verse 18 "be filled with the Holy Spirit" the idea is go on being filled - over and over again.  It is possible to be a Christian and not be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Whatever the Holy Spirit touches the Holy Spirit changes even in our feelings and emotions.  "Do not be drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit" - image of being intoxicated but it is a special kind of intoxication.  When we first approach the Holy Spirit there should be a reaction - laughter, tears or jumping for joy or speaking in tongues. 

Acts of the Apostles lists 5 different occasions when people were filled with the Holy Spirit:

1.     those longing to be filled - to experience God`s Holy Spirit like disciples on the Day of Pentecost

2.    those receptive or open - Acts 8 verse 14 - 17 Peter and John asked if they had received the Holy Spirit, then they placed their hands on the people and told them to receive the Holy Spirit

3.    those hostile - don`t agree with this.  Example: apostle Paul witnessed Stephen the martyrs death Acts 8 verse 3. There was no one more hostile than Paul.  On the way to Damascus he encountered Jesus.  God then spoke to Ananias to meet him and he said to Paul "be filled with the Spirit."  Saul spent several days with the disciples and began to preach in the synagogues.  Totally hostile then filled with the Spirit.

4.    those uninformed - perhaps brought to church, baptised as a baby, never heard of the Spirit before.  Acts 19 Paul went to Ephesus, he asked if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed.  On hearing this they were baptised when Paul placed his hands on them.

5.    the unlikely - "I am not the religious type."  In the New Testament there were 2 groups of people - the religious Jews and the Gentiles.  People thought you had to become a Jew to receive the Holy Spirit.  Remember the story of Cornelius and Peter.  Peter ended up preaching to the Gentile Cornelius and when he spoke the Holy Spirit came on him. 

We should not be afraid of the Holy Spirit - he is a spirit of joy and freedom.  It is really the love of God being poured into our hearts.  There will be physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

The Hebrew word for wind is the same for breath - RUACH - it is the birth of God entering into a person.  Sometimes there is physical manifestations of what is going on deeper in the heart.  It is really God`s love being poured out to you.  Jesus died for you - that is how you know God loves you.  We all have a need and deep longing to be loved, cared for, wanted.  When we experience God`s Holy Spirit it releases us to express that through praise.  The thought of God stirs a person so deeply that they cannot be content unless they praise him.

1 Corinthians 13 verse 1 2 types of tongues - human and angelic - without love it is fruitless.

1 Corinthians 14 verse 2 expressing what we feel in our hearts without putting it into a language.  Paul didn`t want it to be used excessively in public but rather he encouraged it to be used in private!

There are 3 barriers to the filling with the Holy Spirit:

1.     doubt - "I don`t think I would receive the Holy Spirit if I asked" Luke 11 verses 9 and 10

2.    fear - "I believe I would receive the Spirit but what will happen ... would it be terrible?" Luke 11 verse 10 – 13

3.    inadequacy - "I am not worthy, you don`t know what my life is like."  "I am not a mature Christian.”  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11 verse 13)