Lee Street Church
Notes of Meeting on 12th July 2020
About 20 people joined our Zoom meeting.
Jason, Sue and Jacqueline were at the church to present the music and songs on Zoom.
Ken led our worship time.
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He began with reading Ezekiel 11:16:
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"Therefore say: ’This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’ |
These words were addressed to the Israelite exiles in Babylon, who were effectively in lockdown – they felt isolated, forgotten, and without a temple in which to worship the Lord. Yet God reminds them He hasn’t forgotten them, He has been a sanctuary, He is close to them – He dwells wherever His people are.
Today, He is with us – in our homes, with those at the church.
Song: “Be still”
BE STILL, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here;
Come bow before Him now with reverence and fear.
In Him no sin is found, we stand on holy ground;
Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.
Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around;
He burns with holy fire, with splendour He is crowned.
How awesome is the sight, our radiant King of light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around.
Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place;
He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister His grace.
No work too hard for Him, in faith receive from Him;
Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.
David J. Evans.
Copyright © 1986 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music.
Used by Permission CCL No. 3227
Song: “To be in your presence”
To be in Your presence,
To sit at Your feet,
Where Your love surrounds me,
And makes me complete.
This is my desire, O Lord,
This is my desire.
This is my desire, O Lord,
This is my desire.
To rest in Your presence,
Not rushing away;
To cherish each moment,
Here I would stay.
Noel Richards.
Copyright © 1991 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music.
Used by Permission CCL N0. 3227
Ken then introduced us to a new song onTube “Just Be”
Everything else can wait
I’ve come to seek your face
So everything else can wait
I’m here for You.
I want to just be here at your feet,
Just be here on my knees
Here in your presence, I am complete,
Jesus you’re all that I need.
Everything else can wait
I’ve come to seek your face
So everything else can wait
I’m here for You.
How wonderful to be in the presence of Jesus!
There’s nothing I want more,
‘cause nothing matters more
There’s nothing I want more,
‘cause nothing matters more
I’ll just be here at your feet,
Just be here on my knees
Here in your presence, I am complete,
Jesus you’re all that I need.
In preparation for sharing together in the Breaking of Bread, Ken read John 20: 19 & 20:
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On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" |
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After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. |
The disciples had lived in fear, when they suddenly had the surprise of their lives – Jesus came straight into the room where they were meeting and speaks to them “Peace be with you”. A reminder to us that Jesus brings peace to replace our fears and confusion.
He then showed them his hands and side – proof that it really was Him. And the disciples were overjoyed.
Jesus had previously asked them to remember him with bread – broken to represent his broken body, and wine – representing his shed blood.
As we remember Him today, we rejoice that He has taken away our sin and has conquered death.
So, give Him thanks, and share together in the Bread and wine.
Prayer Time
As well as praying for individual needs, we prayed for our nation – remember to support our Government through these troubled times.
Sue reminded us : No Christ – no peace.
Know Christ – know peace.
Brian’s Message
Cain and Abel
If you were one of two or more children in your family, I wonder how you got on with your brothers or sisters? Were you always at odds with each other, driving each other up the wall? Or did you get on well and support each other when needed? Were you and your brothers and sisters very much alike, or were you as they say like chalk and cheese?
I want us to look at what we know about two young men who appear to come in that latter category.
One of them is highly commended, as he has the honour to be the first person to mentioned in that great chapter on men and women (woman actually – only one by name!) – of faith – Hebrews chapter 11.
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By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. |
Yes, and I believe the faith of Abel still speaks today too – nearly 2000 years after the book of Hebrews was written.
What little we know about Abel and his brother Cain is found in Genesis ch 4.
We do know that Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, was a farm worker, or agriculturist, working out in the fields to grow and gather food for the family. Remember too that God had said it would be hard work, as he had banished them from the lovely garden of Eden where life had been so good, until they disobeyed God. They were now living in a desert area east of Eden, in what is now modern Iraq .
So let’s read the Genesis account which tells us all we know about these 2 people.
Genesis 4:3 - 14
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In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. |
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And Abel also brought an offering —fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favour on Abel and his offering, |
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but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favour. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. |
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Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? |
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If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." |
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Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let’s go out to the field." While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. |
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Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don’t know," he replied. "Am I my brother’s keeper?" |
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The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. |
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Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. |
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When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth." |
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Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. |
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Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." |
As with any other part of scripture, we do need to be careful not to read more into the passage than what is actually there. Having said that, it is also right that we seek to find out more about God and his desires for us from every passage in his word.
So what can we learn from this ancient account of just 2 people’s lives?
In some ways, the Genesis account raises more questions than answers. The first and most obvious question we might well ask is “Why did God accept Abel’s gift, but reject Cain’s?”
So let’s look first at Cain and the offering he brought
We read that he “brought some of the fruits of the soil” as an offering to the Lord. As recorded here, it sounds as if he collected a random assortment of fruit and vegetables, put them in his equivalent of a plastic bag, and said “Here you are, Lord”. Maybe this was a response to a suggestion from Mum & Dad (Adam and Eve) that their sons should acknowledge the Lord as their provider, by bringing a sacrifice to Him. We don’t know.
What we do know is that God was not pleased with Cain and his offering. And this made Cain very angry.
I don’t think it was the nature of his offering that was necessarily the main problem – whether he brought the best of the crop, or just what was left over after he had had first pick– we don’t know. I think the real problem was Cain himself, and his attitude towards God. It might have been a “Do I really have to?” attitude when bringing his offering to God. I wonder, do we sometimes come with that attitude, maybe to worship God most reluctantly? Bringing our offerings out of duty, rather than from a truly thankful heart?
The book of Proverbs tells us what God thinks about such sacrifices
We read (21: 27)
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The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable — how much more so when brought with evil intent! |
And clearly the thoughts of his heart and the actions of his life cannot have been right in God’s sight.
Proverbs 21:3 tells us:
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To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
So, whatever sacrifices you might bring to the Lord won’t carry any weight with Him if you are not endeavouring to live your life in a God-pleasing way. The Bible sets out very clearly the sort of things which please Him – Malcolm shared last week some of what Jesus said – I wonder, how much mercy have we shown this week? – how much compassion? – how much desire for righteousness?
And remember - God knows and evaluates not just our actions which others see, but also our motives – he knows our hearts.
I wonder what, if any, sacrifices we bring to God?
Maybe of our time – you know time really is the most precious thing we have. Do we just allow God to have what’s left over after we’ve done what we want? Or does what He wants get first priority when we plan how to use the next day He has given us? Service for the Lord of course isn’t just going to Zoom services or reading the scriptures, it includes all the selfless things we seek to do to serve other people, particularly the disadvantaged and vulnerable people in society today. These are sacrifices which are pleasing to God.
What about our sacrifices of money – remember it’s not the amount we give that matters to God, but the attitude with which it is given. In these Covid-19 times, there are so many really good causes seeking urgent finance to keep going – we need wisdom in our giving, to ensure our gifts are going to be effectively used. Remember too that we are talking here about sacrifices – something that costs us dearly – for most of us, not just the odd left-over coin. But don’t feel embarrassed if all you can give seems like a drop in the ocean – be encouraged by Jesus commendation of the poor widow who gave two small copper coins to the temple treasury, as recorded in Luke 22:
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"Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. |
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All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." |
Another sacrifice might be in the giving of food to needy people – perhaps via the Horley Churches Foodbank – it needs all the help we can give, as needs in the community grow by the day.
And what about our talents – things we are good at doing – have we asked God how we can use them to serve others? What are you good at, what do you enjoy doing? Gardening, cooking, computers, car repairs, DIY around the house – a host of things which could help other people less able to carry out these jobs for themselves. Ask God how the talents he’s given you can be used to bless others.
For all these so-called sacrifices, things we offer up to the Lord, how do we give them to the Him? Do we do it reluctantly out of duty, or joyfully out of truly thankful hearts? Remember, God loves a cheerful giver. God will be pleased with our sacrifices if they are given out of a true desire to honour and serve Him. And of course we need to ask God to use these sacrifices to His glory.
Going back to Cain. The Lord had warned him in his state of anger that “sin is crouching at the door” – a wonderful picture of Satan waiting for the opportunity to pounce. Peter in his first epistle uses the picture of the roaring lion looking for food. How we need to beware the attacks of the devil, particularly in times of stress and anxiety.
And this was just such a time for Cain – his dejection grew into a state of fierce anger, and he took his brother out and killed him. The first murder in the history of mankind. Notice how sin had developed – from a small act of disobedience in the garden of Eden, envy and jealousy may have crept into the brothers’ lives, and ultimately this resulted in murder. Beware of what we might consider as little sins – lest they grow into bigger ones which might have devastating consequences for us and others. We may be a bit annoyed with someone we’ve disagreed with, but don’t let that grow out into a fierce anger – get the problem sorted before it festers and gets right out of control.
I wonder too how you react if someone suggests to you that you have done something wrong. Do you deny it, and go off in a huff? Or do you admit that perhaps you were in the wrong, and determine to get the problem sorted?
When challenged by the Lord, Cain only made matters worse by denying it, and by shrugging his shoulders and using those oft-quoted words ”Am I my brother’s keeper?”. What’s it to do with me?
The Lord of course knew exactly what had happened – nothing is hidden from his gaze.
Note that, before Cain went out and dealt fatally with his brother, God had given Cain a second chance “if you do what is right, you will be accepted”.
How merciful our God is! Many of us I’m sure are thankful for the second, third, fourth…. or umpteenth chance that God in His mercy gave us before we came in repentance and faith to Him.
Cain didn’t respond to the opportunity - his anger led him to kill his brother, so he rightly faced God’s righteous judgement, as he was cast out to live his life as a restless wanderer elsewhere. His sin had to be punished.
Time now to look briefly at Abel.
He brought an offering to the Lord – fat portions from the firstborn of his flock – in other words, he brought the best he could to the Lord. Not what was left over when he’d had his pick.
We read earlier that “.By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings”. He is also described as “righteous” by Jesus in Matthew 23:35. He knew what God wanted from him – nothing but the best, and he responded in obedience.
Sadly, Abel was the first martyr -a God fearing man who lost his life to an angry brother. As we so often ask ourselves about events in our world today, why did God allow this to happen? We do not of course know the answer. The physical laws under which we all live are such that if you strangle someone, they will die. In this instance. God didn’t step in to protect Abel, despite him being a God-fearing man. But He did punish Cain for his sin.
God has given us his instructions for life – laws which He expects us to keep, and guidance too as to how He expects us to conduct our lives in a difficult world. We may not at times like some of the rules – some may seem most inconvenient to us,
But God’s rules and his wishes for us were set out to enable mankind to live peaceful and productive lives in harmony with one another.
Abel’s sacrifice was accepted because he was a man of faith – he trusted God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. He wants that faith in Him to be seen in our lives day by day.
What else can we learn from this sad account?
It shows us very clearly the danger of anger taking a controlling interest in our lives, and resulting in tragedy.
Paul reminds us of the danger of anger in Ephesians ch4:
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"In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, |
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and do not give the devil a foothold. |
And in James we read
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: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, |
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because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. |
There is of course a time for righteous anger – Jesus himself was angered when He saw the temple itself being improperly used. There are times we have every right to be angry with other people. But beware of what that anger might lead to – don’t let it grow such that it drives you to actions you may later regret.
An obvious example is road rage – someone cuts you up, you get annoyed and vow to get your own back – and if you’re not careful the result might be 2 cars in a ditch (or worse!).
The account of Cain and Abel is a tragic story – a good life lost, because one man would not listen to God’s offer of mercy. I guess, as so often, pride got in the way.
But be encouraged by God’s verdict on Abel – a man of faith, accepted by God.
Hebrew 11 v 6 says”
He honoured God in his life – he gave God what He wanted, and will I’m sure have heard God’s welcome into glory “Well done thou good and faithful servant”.
May we be men and women of faith, showing that faith in our lives day by day.
Closing Song: To God be the glory
TO GOD BE THE GLORY! great things He hath done!
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son;
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done!
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood!
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son:
But purer and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our worship, when Jesus we see!
Fanny J. Crosby.
REMINDER:
Foodbank “Drive Through Donation Event” is next Saturday 18th July from 9.30am to 12.30pm at Horley Baptist Church, Court Lodge Road.