Divine Guidance?

One of the lessons preachers have to learn is that God often tests us on what we teach others.  Sadly, we don't always pass those tests!

On Sunday 27th November 2011 I took the subject of divine guidance as the theme for a meeting at Theddingworth Congregational Church.  It was a precious time of fellowship and we explored the subject in several ways.

We sang hymns and songs on the theme.
We shared in a dramatised and fun version of the time Gideon used a fleece to explore God's guidance.
We shared some of our own experiences of guidance.
We discussed why, when and how God guides us
And we did a quick Bible study of the story of Philip and the Ethiopian official.

When discussing why, when and how God guides we reflected that sometimes God intervenes and guides us when there is something he wants us to do for him.  As to how God guides we covered a lot of ground and concluded that God speaks in many ways to us.

The following day I travelled by train to London for a meeting.  Before leaving I put £30 in my wallet for emergencies and I had a few coins in my pocket.  On arrival I had just a few minutes to get something to eat so I visited Macdonalds near St Pancras Station and bought a cheeseburger using one of the £5 notes.

After the meeting I made my way back to St Pancras Station and was walking briskly along the upper concourse and caught up with a man using his mobile phone.  "Hi" he said to the person on the other end and then went on to ask if he could possibly lend him £25 as he was short of cash and needed to get to Sheffield to visit his mother who had been taken ill.  From the part of the conversation I was able to hear it sounded as if his enquiry was unfruitful.

Now the £25 in my wallet seemed a trifle heavy.  But was this genuine or was I being conned?  I checked out my own train time and then discreetly looked for the man.  The area was crowded but I found him alone, looking worried and toying with his mobile phone.  I prayed and watched him some more. He seemed genuine.  After a few minutes I approached him and asked him outright if he lived locally and if so where.  He seemed surprised but gave me the information I sought.  I then told him that if he had anything on him with his address I would give him £25.  Now he looked shocked.

He immediately produced a business card which I exchanged for one of mine and the £25 that emptied my wallet.  He immediately emailed me a receipt from his mobile and I noticed a few minutes later that I had received the email.  I now had his address, mobile phone number and email address.  It looked genuine.

Seeing from my card that I was ordained he said he thought all reverends wore dog collars, so I put him right on that.  My train was about to depart so I wished him well and left him on the concourse.

I can't afford to give away £25 but I had to make a decision as to whether overhearing that conversation was guidance from God who wanted me to share with this man what was not really mine - but his.

What do you think?  Was it a con?  Was he genuine?  Today I will email Chris (his name) and ask after his mother.  Whether he managed to get enough money to get to Sheffield I don't know.  I had thought of the £25 as a loan but afterwards decided I should think of it as a gift.

No doubt you know the story of the Good Samaritan (No, I know I'm not in the same league!).  Have you ever noticed that Jesus speaks of those that came across the man who had fallen among thieves as being there 'by chance'?  Yet the implication is that the priest and the Levite should have acted compassionately.  Have you ever reflected on all that the Samaritan did?  He put himself at risk, he took on a responsibility voluntarily.  He probably stayed up much of the night with them man he helped.  He gave the landlord enough money for the man to stay two months and on top of that offered to pay any extra costs!  Obviously, Jesus was using exaggeration to make the point.

I remember a simple Sunday School lesson on this story in which the man who fell among thieves thought "What's mine is mine and I'm going to keep it".  The thieves thought, "What's yours is mine and I'm going to take it".  But the Samaritan thought, "What's mine is really God's and he would want me to share it with you".

I guess that God will not mind if I gave away £25 of his resources if I was being conned.  On the other hand I wonder if God is also speaking to a London glass blower who had fallen on hard times and found himself in a crisis.  Sometimes it is better to act on how we believe God is guiding us, risking getting it wrong, rather than passing by on the other side.

What is Speaking with Tongues

As I set out to write this post my intention is to try to keep it as simple as possible.  What I write is informed by both scripture and experience.  I have many good Christian friends some of whom make statements about speaking in tongues that I know to be inaccurate.  Sometimes this is because although they read the Bible they cannot understand what it states about speaking in tongues through their own experience, and sometimes because it is entirely experientially understood but not supported by biblical text.  Both situations make me sad as this is a wonderful and important gift that the Holy Spirit gives to some Christians, and a balanced understanding is bound to prove helpful.

The first biblical reference to this is Luke's account of the experience the disciples of Jesus had on the Day of Pentecost.  It is probable, in my opinion, that around 120 people were regularly meeting in a large upper room (or gust chamber) in Jerusalem. Jesus had told them to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them to give them power (not ability) to be his witnesses (Acts 1: 4-8).  Luke goes on to tell us in verses 12 to 14 of those specifically named as gathering in the upper room.  But he then tells us of a gathering numbering 120 people (verse 15).  This appears to be the total number of believers in Jerusalem at that time.  Acts 2 begins by telling us they were all together when the Holy Spirit came.  Clearly, over the ten days between the ascension of Jesus and the Day of Pentecost there may have been some coming and going.  But events in that upper room were to become such that it would have been exceedingly noisy, so much so that it quickly attracted a large crowd.

One of the things that happened that morning was that as the Holy Spirit came upon those there they began to speak in other tongues - or languages - as they were enabled by the Holy Spirit. The text goes on to tell us that some of those in the crowd attracted by the noise were able to recognise some of the languages as those spoken in their (the listeners) native country.  Those who could understand the assorted languages describe this as 'declaring the wonders of God'.  What is not described here is any kind of communication to them.  It is as if they are listening in.  They are amazed and perplexed by what they hear and see.  It is irrational such that they conclude they must be drunk.  Such a conclusion would not be made if what was happening (as some suggest) was multi-lingual gospel preaching.

The phenomenon of speaking in tongues occurs in other places in Acts usually when the Holy Spirit comes upon people for the first time (though it is not mentioned specifically on every occasion).

We need to go to 1Corinthians 12 - 14 to build up our understanding.  It is listed as one of the twelve gifts of the Spirit.  In 1Cor. 12:10 it is mentioned alongside another gift of "interpretation of tongues'.  Later in verse 30 Paul asks a question that implies that not everyone has the gift of speaking in tongues.

We then need to go to chapter 14 for more information.    The first 25 verses cover speaking in tongues and contrasts this with prophecy.  Both these gifts of the spirit are about inspired utterances but is important to emphasise that a person speaking in tongues or prophesying is not 'taken over'.  They remain totally in control of themselves, which is why Paul later in this chapter writes about things being done in order.

Note in verse 2 that someone speaking in tongues is speaking TO God.  So there is no such thing as 'a message in tongues'.  Paul tells us in verse 14 that speaking in tongues can be praying.  Note here that when a person speaks in tongues he or she does not understand what is being said; this is spiritual communication from the believer to God enabled by the Holy Spirit.  In verse 16 it is described as 'thanksgiving'.

So what do we know so far.  People that spoke in tongues were described by those who understood them as declaring the wonders of God.  It is a communication from a believer to God.  So it could be praise, prayer or thanksgiving.  

In the first part of chapter 14 Paul compares speaking in tongues publicly (i.e. at a church gathering) to prophecy (i.e. an immediately understandable inspired utterance communicating 'to men and women' see verse 3).  The point that Paul makes in this chapter is strictly about the benefit these gifts have in a gathering or meeting of a church.  He points out that if someone speaks in tongues and nobody understands what is said the only person to benefit is the person doing the speaking, who is edified (built up) by the experience.  On the other hand is someone prophesies then everyone can benefit.

The only way someone speaking in tongues can benefit a meeting is if there is an interpretation.  While verse 5 and verse 13 seem to imply that interpreting your own utterance in a tongue is acceptable, verses 27 and 28 seem to suggest otherwise.  What is clear is that verses 27 and 28 is speaking about the actual practise of speaking in tongues in a meeting but that verse 5 and 13 is talking about who brings greater benefit to a meeting.  Paul argues clearly that a person who prophesies is of greater benefit in a meeting situation.

For this reason I discourage self-interpretation.  On the other hand I have heard amazing interpretations that have revealed wonderful and sometimes profound expressions of praise and worship.  If a so-called interpretation is God speaking to man then it clearly cannot be a true interpretation.  It could, of course, be a prophecy.

So what is the point of speaking in tongues?  It is for personal edification.  It can be for a sign to unbelievers but note verse 23 as hearing people speaking in tongues can create a misunderstanding.  Paul values his gift of speaking in tongues (verse 18) and states that speaking in tongues should not be forbidden (verse 39).  This is a precious and wonderful gift he longs that everyone should have (verse 5).  Obviously the primary purpose of this gift is for its use in private and personal devotion, though Paul states that provided it is exercised with discipline and interpreted it has its place in public worship (verse 26).

Many years ago the Holy Spirit was moving in a Kent village.  Conversions were taking place and some Christians were being baptised in the Spirit and had spoken with tongues.  This was an area where Strict and Particular Baptists were prominent and some who had spoken in tongues were from families well known in those circles.  A concerned group of Strict Baptists arranged a meeting to try to understand this.  They were uncomfortable that the gospel was being preached with an open invitation for people to come to Christ, as they felt that this was presumption and one should always leave it entirely to the Spirit to convince people that they were being called to salvation.  However, they could not deny that people were being saved.  But what is this about speaking in tongues.

We had an interesting discussion.  Part way through one of the Strict Baptists who was a greatly respected preacher suddenly spoke up.  "Brothers, you have all said at times how my preaching has been used of God".  They all expressed agreement to this.  "You may also have noticed", he went on, "That it is my practise that during the hymn before the sermon I bow in prayer in the pulpit".  Again they all expressed agreement.  He then let loose his bombshell: "During that hymn I quietly pray in tongues"!

Nothing more needed to be said.  Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit.  As such it should not be despised, demeaned or criticised.  Who would dare to do that to a gift that a loving generous God gives.  Those who have this gift and who use it in their personal devotions know of its value.  It enables a quality of communication with God that can never otherwise be experienced.  The speaker feels strengthened.  Used correctly in a church meeting, together with interpretation it can also be a blessing just as a hymn of praise can be.

But it was not given to enable the gospel to be proclaimed or as a means of bringing messages from God.  I was drawn back to God in my teens, having strayed away from him. At that time the gospel engaged with my heart as well as my head and I gladly surrendered my life to the Lord.  A year or so later, while sitting in a church in north Kent I was overwhelmed by the Spirit while listening to a sermon and can only describe this as being baptised in the Holy Spirit.  I could not stop praising God and my legs had turned to jelly, and fountains of spiritual joy were erupting from deep within me.  I was as one drunk.  I did not speak in tongues, though after the service people laid hands on me and sought to encourage me to speak in tongues.  It was perhaps a week or so later in the privacy of my bedroom as i knelt in prayer and praise that I found some strange words forming in my mouth instead of the English I had been using.  It is a gift often used since that day which, like Paul and my Strict Baptist friend, I value and for which I thank God.

I hope these notes have proved helpful.

Beyond the Town The following was published on the Revive Rugby website.  I convene a rural group within this mission orientated ecumenical group of churches.  You can find out more at www.reviverugby.net. Revive Rugby includes many churches that are outside the town boundaries where God is also at work. Approximately one person in six now lives in the rural areas of the UK. Uniquely in the world there continues to be inward migration into rural areas. While there is a fairly stable core population in most villages, there is also a substantial amount of change that takes place producing special challenges for rural churches.   Both ministry and mission in rural areas are very different to towns and cities and call for special training. Because the issues are so distinct Revive has a Rural Group and the leaders of the rural churches meet four to six times a year. Most rural congregations are small so to be effective the style of worship has to change. Where it is more informal, intimate and engaging it not only works better it also enables better spiritual growth individually and collectively. It is sometimes better to think of worship in small numbers as requiring a style more usual to a home group.   In a village most people are known; there is no anonymity and mistakes have to be lived with – sometimes for a long time. These are just some of the factors that make evangelism difficult. But it is not impossible and there are many creative activities going on at this time.   Rural churches have high impact in their communities. It is not unusual to have 5% of a community attending a church. Imagine that happening in the town! Furthermore special festivals, weddings, baptisms, funerals, and Remembrance Sunday can engage with the majority of the village community. So rural churches have opportunities for mission that would be unimaginable in a town. Recent research revealed that the churches in rural areas contribute 70% of the social capital (that which enables communities to stick together).   Of course rural communities have their problems but they are often more hidden and demand a discreet response.  Rural churches also have problems.  High on the list is the maintenance of what is often an inappropriate, old and expensive building. Those of us who work with small rural churches often use a catch phrase, "Tangerines are not small oranges".  A small village church is not a failed urban church.  It is different.  Tangerines are preferred by many.  They are usually sweet, easy to get into, and great for sharing. Rural communities are becoming more suburban in many ways but they retain some unique features that call for appropriate enculturation on the part of those that minister the gospel there, and their message and ministry needs appropriate contextualisation.  When we get it right it is an exciting place to be.  But whether or not things are going well rural church leaders need to fellowship and network with others in similar situations, and Revive Rural Group offers that possibility.

Barry Osborne, 30/07/2011

Throwing Stones

Here's the monthly article for the August edition of our local Parish magazine.

I am writing this at the time when the News of the World affair has been dominating the news. The newspaper has been closed, Andy Coulson arrested, the judgement of the Prime Minister called into question, and an outraged public are crying out for Rebekah Brooks’ resignation. I am aware that by the time you are reading this there may be further developments to shock us or it is just possible that we might have forgotten the current hue and cry.

While indignation over alleged gross illegal misconduct is understandable, and it is right for offenders to be held to account there does appear to be a level of self-righteousness and some opportunism among the voices baying for blood.

It reminds me of the time when a crowd brought to Jesus a woman caught in an act of adultery.  Under the Law of Moses this was a capital offence and the punishment was stoning.  The witnesses to the offence were required to be the first to throw stones (literally).  Jesus takes time to write in the dusty ground.  Some surmise that he might have listed other sins.  When he spoke he simply said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.  The crowd gradually left, from the eldest to the youngest.  Her sin was not excused, but it was forgiven and she was told never to sin again.

It seems to me that there is something dangerous within the current atmosphere – a human weakness that is quick to join the mob and condemn, but slow to admit our own faults.  The way in which we judge others will be the standard by which we will be judged ourselves.  
The Bible is not soft on crime; just strong on putting right the causes.  That seems a better way; and one worth exploring.

1 divided by 3 = 1?

The following is an article from the June 2011 issue Parish News for the villages of Clay Coton, Elkington, Lilbourne and Yelvertoft.

The month of June contains two religious festivals that often cause confusion.  The first of these on June 12^th is Pentecost (also called Whit Sunday).  The second is Trinity Sunday on June 19^th.  If the concept of the Trinity is confusing to you, know that you are not alone.  The reason for this is the uniqueness of God.  We have nothing that we can compare to God, and the idea of three persons that are essentially one is bound to be confusing.

Once when Jesus was talking with his disciples he spoke of “the Father”.  Understanding God in this way was not new.  There are a couple of Old Testament references to God as Father.  Also Jesus had taught them how to pray to their “Father in Heaven”.  But on this occasion one of his disciples said what a wonderful thing it would be to see the Father.  To this Jesus replied that if anyone knew him [Jesus] then they knew the Father, for they were one.  He then went on to tell them that although he would be leaving them another (similar) person would be with them – the Holy Spirit.

In other words the presence of the Holy Spirit would be just the same as having the physical presence of Jesus with them, and knowing what Jesus was like was like meeting the Father. 

Confused still?  Not surprising.  The only real way to understand this is to experience a relationship with God.  After Jesus had died, risen again and 40 days later ascended to be his Father, the promised gift of the Holy Spirit was received by 120 disciples (men and women) who had gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem.  They were ecstatic with joy and found a new boldness to share their faith with others.  Now the wonder of knowing the presence of Jesus with them had become an even more wonderful intimate personal experience.

When a crowd was attracted by the noise of the believers praising God and revelling in their experience they listened as Peter explained who Jesus really is and what they had experienced.  The crowd asked what they should do and were told they should turn from sin and be baptised.  This would then enable them to receive the same promised gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise, they were told, was for all throughout the future who would repent and believe.

I don’t drink alcohol but I guess that to really understand the flavour and the effect of a good wine you would have to drink it.  As the Scots say, “Some things are better felt than telt!”  The Holy Spirit is the person of God through whom all God’s blessings come into our lives.  We might never fully understand it here on earth but we can certainly enjoy experiencing it.  And that is not limited to one or two days a year. 

I know just how you feel!

I thought it might be interesting to some if I post my monthly letter in the Yelvertoft Parish Magazine.  Here is the latest; I'll look through some of the past ones where the content might not be dated.


I think that one of the most annoying things that can be said to anyone going through a tough time is, “I know just how you feel”, when you know very well they have absolutely no idea.  What’s worse is when they proceed to list all their troubles!

Usually when people go through tough times they pray – even if they’re not sure they believe in God.  It might not be in church, and it probably won’t be on their knees, but at some time or other they are likely to utter, “Oh God, help me”.  Of course if we had a God who had no idea what it was like to lose a loved one, to be badly let down by people you thought were your friends, to be in fear of death, to feel at life’s extremity, to know extreme temptation, to be in financial difficulty, to be the victim of slander and lies, to suffer exhaustion or hunger – if we had a God like that how could he truly empathise with us in our hour of need.

But because God stepped into this world, bringing his divine nature into union with our human nature in the extraordinary person of Jesus, he does know what all of those conditions (and more) are like.  Not only that, but he spent his ministry responding with compassion to people on the margins of society.  Some suffered from dreadful illnesses, some had just been bereaved, and some were considered socially unacceptable for a range of reasons.  All experienced the wonder that this very special person cared about them and, because his love is matched by his power, their lives were transformed by that contact with him.

No other religion can offer anything approaching such a God.  Last month we thought afresh about the arms of Jesus stretched out upon a cross.  I want you to imagine those arms now stretched out to welcome you – if you will turn to him and come to him.  He promised never to turn anyone away who comes to him.  And if you do that you will also come to know those same arms lovingly wrapped around you – holding you safely through the toughest times of this life.

The King James Version Anniversary

I find myself with mixed feeling (or as they say in the States "conflicted") regarding the growing hype over the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James version or Authorised Version of the Bible.  I do feel that this is an occasion that should be marked but I wonder whether some of the things that have already been said and written by Christian leaders might actually be shooting ourselves in the foot.

So far all that I have heard has been exalting it as a piece of literature - howbeit a special piece of literature.  Could this be actually doing two negative things.

For many people Christianity is already seen as anachronistic and out of touch with today's society.  Others are put off by the "wordy" nature of Christianity with its Bible, hymns and sermons.   Thrusting a 400 year old version of God's word at them might just be reinforcing that negativity.

God's word is not confined to the text that codifies it.  The Bible is a vital and unique collection of Scripture through which God is revealed and can be understood and discovered in a personal relationship.  It is not enough to know that he is holy, almighty, merciful, just, etc; what is needed is to engage with those qualities - to come to know him.

Bible translations that communicate this revelation can help or hinder (though God will graciously use the most inept tool at times).  Surely what we need to do is to use this anniversary occasion when a translation of significance was published to encourage people to read the Bible today in a version that uses the vernacular, which was one of the purposes 400 years ago.

I am occasionally asked which version of the Bible is the "best one for today".  The problem with such a question is that I then want to ask what do you want to use it for?  Some translations are the product of a scholarly committee.  These tend to be very correct but can also use language that is less engaging.   Some translations are the work of an individual scholar or a team taking different books of the Bible between them.  These tend to be more engaging but personal prejudice might creep in.  For serious study one translation might be better than others, while for personal reflection another might be more suitable.  My default response to the question, "Which translation of the Bible is the best?" is to say that you should be reading a version through which God is speaking into your life today.

If God's word is hindered by the language or style of a translation then it is not serving his purposes.

For anyone who might be interested in thinking about how this anniversary can be used to advance the kingdom of God then I recommend you read the article at http://ruralevangelism.net/resources/Biblefresh+ideas.pdf.  Other ideas might well appear on this website in coming weeks.

It remains my personal view that to simply extol the virtue of the KJV as a piece of literature could be to fall short of the mark.  Some will revel in its language and some may hear God speak to them as they do so.  For many more it would be more helpful to read or hear God's word in their own language.