King's Church Hastings

What does true friendship look like? What is the most important ingredient if it’s going to work over the long-haul? In John 13, we see Jesus loving his disciples in a very practical and down to earth way. It’s not a love based on feelings or circumstances, but is strong, deliberate, gentle, kind, patient, enduring and sacrificial. Our love for others flows from God’s wonderful love for us, demonstrated in sending His Son to save us from our sin – not because we are worthy, but in spite of our unworthiness.

These verses show us the moment when Jesus called Matthew. Matthew was a Jewish tax collector working for the Romans, which didn’t make him a popular person. But Jesus invited Matthew to follow him and the response was Matthew immediately got up, and then they ate food together. Matthew went on to become one of the 12 disciples. Jesus accepted first, then connected (over food and in a group).

We see throughout the Bible that God has a big vision. God wants King's Church involved in His purposes and plans: He has a part for us to play corporately and individually. As a church we have a rich 40-year history and we're looking forward to taking the next steps with Him. This is done in numerous ways every day, but there are two key áreas Paul focused on here. Firstly, the move towards becoming one church with four venues, and specifically the Bexhill venue launch. Secondly, in launching Connect Groups across each of the venues. These two steps will help strengthen the health of King's and reach new communities as we move closer to them.

God uses weak people and difficult circumstances for His glory. These things don't disqualify you from being used by God. God asks us to use what we have.

God doesn't want us to live in the past, longing for former glories or dwelling on mistakes and failures. He's calling us to a new season. He says it's spring time, when things that look dead come to life again and blossom and flourish. God promises us streams in the wasteland.

Things change very rapidly. When the Berlin Wall came down, the relationship between East and West Germany changed overnight. When the banks crashed almost 10 years ago, things changed in a moment. Everything around us and in our lives is subject to change, but God is steadfast. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. When our faith is tested, we can remain confident in the unchanging One.

God calls us to a walk of faith. From beginning to end, He calls us to trust Him. Not some of the time, but all of the time. What does this look like? And how do we do it?

Just like the iconic Star Wars moment, the Bible has a shocking 'I am your father' revelation when Paul calls Abraham 'the father of us all' (Romans 4:16). But in what way is Abraham our father and why does it matter?

In our final Vision & Values session, Steve talks about the final part of our vision: Going on mission.

This is the start of our Abraham series which is happening over this summer.

Abraham Lincoln carried eight newspaper clippings in his wallet - eight articles that were positive about his leadership. Hebrews was written to a group of people who needed a wallet-full of encouragement. There are five things in this passage that are encouragement for us to put into our 'wallets'.

James gives a lot of attention to the evidence of faith. We are saved by faith alone, but faith alone is not real faith. Real faith works out in actions: it will have an impact on your life. One of the fruits that comes from real faith is perseverance. Real faith may not always be tidy, but it always goes back to God because it knows where to find the words of life. Prayer is another fruit of real faith. And real faith is also preserved – your conduct doesn’t determine the relationship; the work of God does. It’s not about your performance it’s about your heart.

Isaiah 56-66 bring together the themes of the first two sections of Isaiah. They teach us how to live God's way in the light of God's coming salvation. Please note that the final session on Thursday 20th July has been cancelled.

In the next of our Vision & Values session, Aled Cousins shares about the importance of worship.

James is nearing the end of his letter, but he’s not done challenging us yet. In two ‘Listen up!’ sections, two of the most punchy paragraphs in the letter, he challenges us about our heart attitude in planning for the future and about how we handle our material wealth.

Session 3 focuses on the second main section of Isaiah 40-55. Through exploring the Servant Songs we trace out the message of these chapters as they explain how God is going to solve the problems laid out in Isaiah 1-39.

Our attitudes on refugees and migrants in general can be shaped so easily by what we hear from politicians, journalists and social media, but what is God's view? What does He have to say about foreigners moving from one land to another, and how we should treat them?

James desire is to root out the issue of arguments among the Christians he’s writing to, with the aim them developing as disciples. He does this by asking a question (verse 1), answering it (verse 1-2), explaining the effects of the situation (2-4), showing a way forward (verse 6-12). Arguments happen from their own individual desires that battle within, which in tern affect their prayer life and relationship with God and others. But James tells us there is more grace for us, that we should repent (change) and we should obey the word (choice).

In session 2, we explore the first major section of Isaiah, chapters 1-39, which is focused around the theme of trust in God. We look at the overall shape and message of the chapters and their teaching about the Messiah.

Great to have Santino Hamberis back as a guest speaker on the subject of knowing God and knowing His power!