November Conference – Introduction to 1 John

We had our first in this year’s series of Winter Conferences from 1 John, on the subject ‘The disciple whom Jesus loved’. Our opening speaker for the series was Mr Ian Jackson.

Below are live tweets from the evening:

We’ll be live tweeting from tonight’s conference on 1 John.

Meanwhile, also tonight, we have two teams from @parksdchrstnfwp taking part in the annual Datchet Bible Quiz.

Opening readings from John 13:21-26; John 19:25-27; John 20:1-4; John 21:4-7,20-25

Three areas: John himself; Writings of John; References to the disciple whom Jesus loved.

John never mentions his own name in his any of his letters. A humble man who only refers to himself as the ‘disciple whom Jesus loved’.

John wasn’t loved any more than any other disciple. He was just ‘loved by Jesus’.

John’s father was Zebedee and he had a brother called James. Jesus committed His mother, Mary, to John to care for, while on the cross.

John’s mother asked Jesus to let her two sons sit with Jesus in His Kingdom. Jesus had to emphasise the need for humility.

By nature John wanted position, to exercise power and had to learn lessons to find grace and humility.

John was a FISHERMAN. He was also a FAVOURED disciple (with Peter and James). He was prepared to FORSAKE all to follow Jesus.

He was present at Jesus’s Transfiguration and saw Jesus’ Glory and Moses and Elijah. Also at healing of Jairus’ daughter from the dead.

John is also featured several times with Peter on his own, particularly in Acts.

Final reference in John 21 is that John was FOLLOWING.

Generally accepted that John was the last of the New Testament writers. 1 John written that readers might ‘know’ eternal life.

John writes about the ‘family’ and the ‘children’ of God. 1 John 2:1 ‘My dear children…’ Not writing forensically but familiarly.

1 John contains a number of evidences of ‘life’ mentioned throughout the book. Do we as Christians show evidence of life?

1 John contains a number of mentions of the phrase ‘we know’ by revelation from God.

Eternal life is a state or condition of being with God the Father and is made available through faith in Jesus Christ.

John lived daily in the enjoyment of the love of God. A challenge to us as Christians.

Heard that our two teams from @ParksdChrstnFwp finished first and third in the Datchet Bible Quiz. Congratulations to all of them!

You can listen to, or download the conference by clicking on the link below:

Annual Conference – Dr Ian Burness, Echoes

We had our Annual Conference with Dr Ian Burness from Echoes giving a Report on the work in Brazil.  In the evening he gave a short word of Ministry from I Thessalonians chapter 1You can listen to the reports by clicking on the links or download them by right-clicking and selecting ‘Save Target As’.

The afternoon report is summarised in tweets below:

We’ll be live tweeting from this afternoon’s report from Ian about a recent visit to Brazil.

Ian mentioned various DVD’s and literature that he has available.

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. Main language is Portuguese but several other languages spoken too.

Population of 180 million people. Also fifth highest population behind China, India, Russia and USA.

Brazil is becoming a ‘missionary-sending’ country rather than just receiving them.

Government have a huge project to replace the shanty-towns and replace them with modern housing.

Coffee is very important in the rural economy. Sugar cane being grown for ethanol to use as a fuel in cars.

Visited Foz on border of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina where there is a large Muslim population.

Lots of Brazilian workers in Rio. Developed a campsite with conferencing facilities.

Also visited Conceciao where there is another campsite with dormitories and other facilities available.

Carangola has an Emmaus school as well as a school running evening classes and other training.

Vitoria – looking to develop a large facility for use of 300-500 people.

Lots of work involving reaching out with the local community showing practical concern for the poor and those in need.

Encouraging work in the mountains near Vitoria. Established a church nine years ago in area with high suicide rate. Now fewer suicides.

Uberlandia – Work running for 14 years on drug rehabilitation which has seen 3000 people pass through. Also educated during programme.

Also developed a radio station broadcasting to half a million in local neighbourhood.

Church-planters from Brazil are taking the work forward.

Afternoon conference ends with singing of ‘God is working His purpose out’ followed by prayer and refreshments.

You can see more details on our website here.