{"id":3240,"date":"2024-04-04T18:57:01","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T18:57:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=3240"},"modified":"2024-04-11T19:01:48","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T19:01:48","slug":"7-april-2024-a-spiritual-health-check","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=3240","title":{"rendered":"7 April 2024: A spiritual health check"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:39% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"486\" height=\"304\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20240407.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3241 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20240407.png 486w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20240407-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20240407-24x15.png 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20240407-36x23.png 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20240407-48x30.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 486px) 100vw, 486px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-090a7876-6b6f-475f-bd24-2fdf9d5343ad\"><strong>Bethel Baptist Church<br>Worship Service @ Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-090a7876-6b6f-475f-bd24-2fdf9d5343ad\"><strong>7 April 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=3231\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"15\" height=\"10\" class=\"wp-image-1006\" style=\"width: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow.png 120w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-24x16.png 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-36x24.png 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-48x32.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 15px) 100vw, 15px\" \/> <strong>Previous Service<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=3245\"><strong>Next Service<\/strong> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"15\" height=\"10\" class=\"wp-image-1007\" style=\"width: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow.png 120w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-24x16.png 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-36x24.png 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-48x32.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 15px) 100vw, 15px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Welcome<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201cThe birds fly high in the sky. We believers should be living in heavenly places where God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. We get blessed when we trust and have faith in the Lord Jesus. Let\u2019s give Him all the glory.\u201d<br><\/em><br>Stella<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Worship<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"There Is A Redeemer - Keith Green\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C_YM_hYzcPo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><sup>Songwriter: Melody Green. For non-commercial use only.<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Word<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Spiritual Health Check<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. <\/p>\n<cite>1 Cor. 1:18<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Any \u2018Spiritual Health Check\u2019 undertaken must begin at the cross of Christ. Paul here, contrasts power, not with weakness, as we might expect but with foolishness. Jesus, in preaching the kingdom of heaven, turned the values of this world on their head, e.g.,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. <\/p>\n<cite>Matt. 20:26<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">see also Sermon on Mount). Paul is doing the same thing here, to a church that was still influenced by the culture of the city and other worldly values. The power of the cross is centred on a crucified Messiah, a real cause of stumbling to the Jews, a scandal (Gk. \u2018<em>skandalon<\/em>\u2019), and to the Gentiles \/ Greeks, utter folly, foolishness; absurd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How amazing when the very same cross is pure wisdom to God. For sure the sheer wisdom of God is revealed in and through the cross, even the greatest revelation of God, His love, His purity, righteousness, holiness, patience, power etc. How different the world\u2019s values are to God\u2019s!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s one thing to say I believe in the Christ who died on the cross. It\u2019s another thing to live it. Let\u2019s go back to forgiveness. Here we have our Lord and Master brutally treated, beaten whipped, crowned with thorns, mocked, ridiculed and everything else that was done to Him, the half of which we don\u2019t even know. Yet there He is on the Cross in the throes of death, ever so weak, in utter pain, totally abandoned, and He prays this, <em>\u201cFather, forgive them for they know not what they do!\u201d<\/em> And yet we in the Church struggle to forgive others when they tread on our toes so to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paul, himself, in the past had really dished it out especially to Jesus\u2019 Church. Now he himself was suffering so much for the cause of Christ. And what does he write now? <em>\u201cAn eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth\u201d<\/em>? Nothing of the sort, rather:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,&nbsp;but only what is helpful for building others up&nbsp;according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.&nbsp; And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,&nbsp;with whom you were sealed&nbsp;for the day of redemption.&nbsp; Get rid of&nbsp;all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.&nbsp; Be kind and compassionate to one another,&nbsp;forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.&nbsp; Follow God\u2019s example,&nbsp;therefore, as dearly loved children&nbsp;and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us&nbsp;and gave Himself up for us&nbsp;as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. <\/p>\n<cite>Eph. 4:29-5:2<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is always that pressure to water things down, to explain the truth away. For sure this is a high and holy standard, impossible humanly speaking, but by God\u2019s grace and the enabling of His Holy Spirit within us, it is possible, So help us Lord in Jesus Christ, Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quote of the week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em><strong>\u201c<\/strong>The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross,&nbsp; not the scales.\u201d<\/em><br><br>John Wesley &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Verse of the week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Peter asked Jesus, <em>&#8220;Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?&#8221;<\/em> Jesus answered,&nbsp;<em>&#8220;I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times.&#8221;<\/em> seven. <\/p>\n<cite>Matt. 18:21<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Let\u2019s Pra<\/strong><strong>y<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heavenly Father, search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and by Your Spirit within, lead me in the way everlasting, the way of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome \u201cThe birds fly high in the sky. We believers should be living in heavenly places where God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. We get blessed when we trust and have faith in the Lord Jesus. Let\u2019s give Him all the glory.\u201dStella Worship Word Spiritual Health Check For the message of the cross &#8230; <a title=\"7 April 2024: A spiritual health check\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=3240\" aria-label=\"Read more about 7 April 2024: A spiritual health check\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3240","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3240"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3248,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3240\/revisions\/3248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}