Here is a catchup from this weeks Chapter & Verse

The Big Story: Set in the time at the end of the Judges and at the beginning of the Kings.

Key word: Kingship

The problem: Samuel was dedicated to the Lord’s service at 12 years of age and was called by God to be a prophet. During this time the Ark of the Covenant was taken by the Philistines and put into the house of the Philistine god, Dagon, who fell to his face in worship in the presence of the Ark. The second time it broke into pieces. Afraid, the Philistines offered sacrifices of repentance and returned the Ark of the Covenant. Later we see Israel demanding to have a king, and God told Samuel to give them a king. However the king needed to be compatible with the relationship with God, to rule under God, but the Israelites wanted a king like the nations around them with the king being the highest authority. So how does a king rule under the authority of God? Samuel sent out some rules in a book. (Chapter 10:25) Unfortunately, Saul didn’t follow these rules and went against God.

How the problem is resolved: This passage displays offices which highlight 3 problems that the people of Israel and ourselves had:

1. Samuel – prophet: represents God to the people. Problem with the law/truth.

2. Eli – priest: represents the people to God. Problem with guilt.

3. Saul – king: represents God’s rule over the people. Problem with corruption.

Route to Jesus: No one in the Old Testament was ever prescribed all three of these offices (max of 2). Jesus has been prescribed all three. He was a prophet, bringing truth to people in the form of himself (John 1:1-14). He was more than a priest, he was the great high priest bringing the people to God, offering not any sacrifice but sacrifices Himself. Not just a king but King of kings, ruling over the people.

Passion for Life is about sending the church into the world to win and disciple people for Jesus, just like Jesus commanded.

Calvary wants to be a church who supports the many talents and gifts of the people in the church. We realise that church members are uniquely placed to engage with their own spheres of influence. This might be in sports, hobbies or career paths. We want to encourage people to put on their own events which are facilitated by the church but are unique to each persons sphere of influence.

Some possible examples include:

• Men’s Curry Night with Comedian and Gospel Message in a pub
• Ladies Baking Class with Brunch and speaker
• Free Moped “MOT”
• Businessman’s Dinner & Guest Speaker
• Medics Lunch & Seminar with Guest Speaker
• Art Gallery displaying Passion for Life Art alongside Gospel quotes

Church, start praying about what you can be doing in the run up to Easter and start talking to others about putting on joint events.

In the meantime, here are your social media Passion for Life icons – swap them for your normal icons so that we can raise awareness.

Twitter and Facebook Profile Pics

Facebook Cover

As we have been going through the Letter to the Ephesians in our “Deeper Church” series we have noticed that deeper churches are churches who are seeking intimacy with God in community. Deeper churches develop deep relationships with people who want to know God deeply. With that in mind we have started a group Bible Reading plan. Head over to FaithLife sign up for a free account and then visit our bible reading page where you’ll find each days reading. You can also download their app and use that instead.

After you’ve started reading why not post in the community notes what God is doing in you through the readings?

“…We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2 NKJV.

This Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the one who brings peace – Jesus Christ. We would be honoured to have you join us for our Christmas Day Service on Tuesday 25th December at Calvary Southampton, Great Oaks School, Vermont Close, Southampton, SO16 7LT starting at 11.00am.

Bring the whole family – enjoy singing praises to God, hear a short Bible message – children bring along a present to show us too!  Note: there will not be any children’s church, creche or youth services.

We look forward to giving you a warm welcome!

We’re very excited to welcome T.A. McMahon to Calvary on 29th August 2012. Tom is president and executive director of The Berean Call ministry, editor-in-chief and contributing writer for The Berean Call newsletter, co-author of The Seduction of Christianity, America: The Sorcerer’s New Apprentice, Understand the Times , and author of Showtime for the Sheep?  and Temporal Delusion .

Holder of a master’s degree in communications, he has researched and written numerous documentaries and scripted several feature films. His writing/producing for Christian videos includes The Cult Explosion, The God Makers, The New Age: Pathway to Paradise? The Evolution Conspiracy, A Woman Rides the Beast, Israel, Islam & Armageddon, and  Psychology and the Church .

For more details please visit the events page