3.7 ….. of the world

““And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”  
Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Our Baptist Union of Scotland was born out of local churches realising that, in order to fulfil the commission that Jesus has given to His disciples, it is better to work together than labour alone. What holds us together in this vision is our acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as Lord and head of the church; and that He communicates to us, through the Holy Spirit, in directing us according to Father’s will. We hold the Bible as central to all that we say and do, through faith in Jesus Christ. We stress our dependence upon God and interdependence with one another, as we seek to work together in sharing the Gospel with people in our land of Scotland and, in fellowship with other churches that confess Jesus and share in our Principles, seek to reach out in love to all peoples, everywhere, across the world.

  The declaration of the Baptist Union of Scotland: our Principle is to be true to Jesus and to the Scriptural testimony regarding God and His ways. And when we do that, we bring an influence to bear on our Society that is more powerful that we can ever imagine.

Lord God, I thank you for our Union of Churches. I thank you for the life that you pour into us, through the Holy Spirit, that is expressed among us: the presence and purposefulness of Jesus Christ Himself. Thank you, Father, for such a privilege. Strengthen us in faithfulness. Harness us in hopefulness. Infuse us with lovingkindness. Bring glory to your name in this land of Scotland and throughout this Earth, in and through Jesus Christ and His church, Amen

3.6 In the evangelisation

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”

‭John‬ ‭6:63‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

There is immense spiritual power when you, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, speak of Jesus Christ. To speak with sincerity about Jesus – who He is, what He has done and what He is doing – releases light into darkness and brings hope to the hopeless. It opens a window to the wind of heaven, that the breath of life might break in.

All the forces of darkness and evil want to silence you, to intimidate and prevent you from speaking about Jesus. Because when you do speak about your Lord Jesus, life is released (John 6.63). You have good news to share: news about Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord (Colossians 1.26-28). To declare the mystery (Colossians 4.3), the Word of life (1 John 1.1-3). Resolve to be a bearer of the good news that is Jesus Christ (Matthew 11.3-5). Speak it out!

Lord my God, I thank you that you have caught me up in the Good News of Jesus Christ. I give myself to you, afresh, as a herald of your Kingdom come in Jesus; a messenger of mercy and grace, made known through the Cross of Christ. Take me to those with whom I can have conversation and share the message, which is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Amen. 

3.5 And to take part ....

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.”

‭‭ I Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-14‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Do you recognise and confess Jesus as your Saviour and Lord? If so, you are now a child of God (John 1.12-13). You are a minister and a priest of God. You are treasured and loved by God. And you have been placed within a people (1 Peter 2.9-10). You are one part of many (1 Corinthians 12.12). And you cannot operate effectively without acknowledging that you are integrally one with them (1 Corinthians 12.21-27).

Our enemy has a simple strategy to disable us – jealousy, unforgiveness, isolation. God has a solution – unconditional and determined love. Learn to love and value those in church around you. Seek out their strengths, bear with their faults. Find your place as part of church, the body of Christ.

Lord God, I thank you that you called me to be one of your children. I want to be part of your family, the church. I know that ‘where there are people there are problems’, so help me grow in cultivating humility, patience, forgiveness and genuine love towards others, especially those I find it hard to get along with. Let me see my own faults and failings, that I might repent of them. Help me to reflect your kindness, care and compassion in dealing with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen

3.4 To the Gospel of Jesus Christ

“And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.””

Luke‬ ‭24:45-49‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Gospel = Good News. Jesus Christ is Good News. It is His atoning death and the wonder of His resurrection. It is His sending of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, working in and through us. It is the declaration of the present rule of God among us, as we live in a sin-soaked world. It is that Jesus Christ, alive and real, can and would be present in the life of every person who would come to Him, in repentance and faith, right now.

The Gospel is news about new birth (1 Peter 1.3). Fresh growth (Isaiah 11.1, Romans 15.2). A wind that releases life (John 3.6-8). A star that shines bright in the morning (2 Peter 1.19). A fragrance that blesses – and can also offend (2 Corinthians 2.14-16). It is the message of the Word made flesh – alive, active, powerful in penetrating into hearts (Hebrews 4.12). The Gospel is a powerful instrument. Use is wisely. Never forget or underestimate its ability to transform the world you live in and the people around you.

I thank you, Heavenly Father, that my Lord Jesus Christ ever seeks to enter the door of human hearts, again and again. To come in, healing lives to live more fully; transforming minds to think ore wholesomely; to save and rescue from darkness, sin, despair and hopelessness. Strengthen me in confidence and ability to handle this power of the Gospel, in releasing others from the dominion of Satan and leading them into new life in Jesus Christ. Amen.

3.3 To bear witness

“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

‭‭I Peter‬ ‭3:13-17‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

God has called you to faith in Jesus Christ, because you are born of God (John 1.13). The Word of God became flesh (John 1.14), bearing your sin in His body, that you might carry and express God’s righteousness in your life now (1 Peter 2.24). As Jesus Christ died for you, you are to live for Him.

In living for Jesus, root yourself in showing gentleness and respect towards others. Be conscious that each person you meet was fashioned by God to bear His image. You are an ambassador of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5.14-20). Seek to reflect Jesus to them, in your manner, your care and your attentiveness towards your neighbour, colleague or client. Witness does not begin with a strategy, a method or a plan. Witness begins with what is in your heart (Romans 10.8-9).

My Lord and my God, I want to carry in my body your presence, your righteousness, in a worshipful way. I want to honour you by expressing respect and love, care and compassion to people around me. In my attitudes and actions, I want my life to invite the question, ‘Why do you behave in this way?’. Help me to be this person, more and more. In Jesus name, Amen

3.2 Of every disciple

“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.””

John‬ ‭20:19-23‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Do not be afraid, when you sense God knocking at the door of your life. Open the door to let Jesus Christ in (Revelation 3.20). Jesus wants to come and and impart to you His peace. Jesus is sending you into the world, today. Yes, you are vulnerable. Jesus knows how you feel (Hebrews 2.10-11). Your calling is to bear His presence and peace into the lives of those you meet.

You have an awesome responsibility and gift to impart. You are to show mercy and grant forgiveness to people (Matthew 16.19), just as you have been forgiven (Luke 7.47). Your duty now is to forgive and show mercy (Matthew 18.21-35). This is a basic discipline to embrace, part of your calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5.18-19).

Lord Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace. You impart to people, by the Holy Spirit, a peace that is unsurpassable. Strengthen me to carry that peace into the lives of those around me. Let me be a bearer of mercy, a bringer of forgiveness. Enable me to to be a herald of hope and healing to those who are harmed and hurting. To our Father’s glory, Amen

3.1 That it is the duty ...

“And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke‬ ‭4:17-21‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Born to be formed again in Christ Jesus, you are more than a customer called to consume God’s care and compassion for you. Constrained by the Holy Spirit, you are designed for discipleship.  You are a child of God. You share, in Christ, a common discipline and duty to work for the furthering of God’s Kingdom on earth. You are destined to shine with the reflected light of God, sharing this with those whose lives are wrecked, with grief and despair deep in their hearts. For you, identity and duty now walk hand in hand. When you embrace the truth that you are God’s treasured child, your destiny changes. Now, your delight is to pursue the realisation of the purposes and pleasure of your Heavenly Father. This will happen, through the empowering of the Holy Spirit within you and upon you, in the name of Jesus Christ your Lord. 

Think on it (Galatians 3.26-29). Your life is now in Christ’s life. The Holy Spirit, dwelling within you, would also come upon you, to empower you. All that Jesus represents and engaged in is now your reason for living. Embrace your election in Christ (2 Peter 1.10). Expect more (Ephesians 3.16-21). See God do so much good, in and through you (John 14.12).

Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that you see so much more potential in me, than I see in myself. Today, I receive the revelation, afresh, that you have made me your own, precious child. You have invested the treasure and wonder of heaven into me. Father, it is my delight to offer myself to do my duty as a child of Light. Take me and expend my life on earth for the glory and honour of your name, by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within me and as a disciple of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen

2.7 Was buried and rose again the third day

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”‭‭

Ephesians‬ ‭2.1-6‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Because of Jesus, your life is already positioned in a fuller, richer, multi-dimensioned reality, in and through the power of His bodily resurrection. At times you sense this; that you do not truly belong to this world’s ways and what many people hold dear. You are pained by financial corruption, perverted sex and mismanaged power. But remember this: God would fashion in you, by His Holy Spirit, with a different appetite. An appetite for the invasion of the New Heavens and New Earth into the present: where holiness, healing and harmonious living can begin to be manifested through your life right now.

Focus on what lies ahead, now and in the days before you. Christ is in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1.27). You are an overcomer (1 John 4.1-4). If God is with you, who can stand against you (Romans 8.31)? In all that you undertake, in Jesus’ name, you will surely succeed (John 15.14-17).

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that my life is hidden now in you: embraced and enfolded in your healing and reconciling love, lifting me in the presence of my Heavenly Father and filling me with the presence, purpose and power of the Holy Spirit. Help me focus, my Lord, to see through the lens of your concern and care for the people I meet this day. Work in and through me, my God, that I might bear the scent and savour of the richness and love that is yours towards them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

2.6 Who died for our sins according to the Scriptures …

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:14-21‬ ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The Scriptures are the lens through which we can perceive both the truth about God and the truth about ourselves. As we look around at a world strained by strife and suffering, we need to stay focussed on the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ, God Himself bears the pain and takes the penalty for human sin and stupidity, for all history through all time. Here is God, the ultimate peacemaker, reconciling the world to Himself.

Jesus Christ, in propitiating the wrath of God over human sin (Romans 3.23-6), bore the consequence of all our faults and failings; and also gave us a fresh pattern for our lives. Now we are called to know God in a way that conforms to Jesus Christ in His dying (1 Corinthians 2.2). As Jesus’ disciples, we are neither to deny nor seek escape from involvement in the problems and pain that surrounds us in a world ravaged by wickedness, war and rebellion against the One God (Isaiah 1.11-17). We, filled with life because we are united with Jesus Christ in His death, are called to a path of care and compassion. To identify and involve ourselves with the lives of victims and causalities of selfishness, greed and evil (Matthew 5.13-16). This is what God invites us to (Micah 6.8). This is an integral part of the journey that leads to resurrection and eternal life.

Heavenly Father, help me view the world around me through the eyes of your crucified Son, my Lord and Saviour. Even as He has born the penalty for me, taking my sin and sickness to Himself, now allow me to bear His healing presence into the lives of those around me. As He never abandoned hope in you, help me to walk faithfully and lovingly among those who feel bereft of care and compassion. In Jesus’ name, Amen

2.5 And faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:21-26‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The essence of Christian faith lies in personally acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord. Faith, born by the Holy Spirit out off our Heavenly Father’s love, graciously and generously calling us to be disciples of His Son. Such faith ushers us into the beauty and limitless dimensions of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It clothes us in a new way (Ephesians 6.13-19), changing the way we see life (Matthew 5.1-10) and pointing us to an everlasting hope (Hebrews 11.1) rooted in God’s faithfulness.

You are not at the end of the road! God wants you to continue – perhaps even embark - on a path of growth, in increasing measure, into maturity in Jesus Christ. Sometimes that will attract you, sometimes it will scare you. But God’s heart of love is to continue to develop and mature you (Philippians 3.8-12). Keep the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14.12).

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your immense patience with me. Thank you that, even when I falter or fail, you do not give up on me. Your Holy Spirit stirs hope again within me: thank you so much. Now, Father, expand in me a longing and passion to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Deepen and strengthen my faith, that your care and compassion may find greater expression in a love than is in me and through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.