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“Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practised sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” (Acts 19:18-20)

This account occurred in Ephesus after the supposed failure of the seven sons of Sceva to cast out an evil spirit from a man, which actually led to many believing in the superior power and truth of Jesus Christ.

We often learn far more from failure than success and we can learn much from their account.

We learn there is no power in reciting words, formulas or rules. There is no power in mere humans.

Rather, power comes from the Holy Spirit, who can dwell within all believers of Jesus Christ.

We learn, the Holy Spirit gives us our identity as beloved children of God and gives us the authority of Jesus Christ meaning evil spirits will recognise and submit to us in His name.

Ephesus was a city of immorality, idolatry and the occult. In some ways no different to the culture we are immersed in today. We need, as Paul did, to exercise our identity and authority in Christ, given through the Holy Spirit to battle all schemes of satan. Through the Holy Spirit we have all the weapons and armour we need for victory.

The Holy Spirit also brings freedom from any darkness within us through the power of revelation, conviction, confession and repentance. 

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“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” (Acts 16:25-26)

In Acts 16 Paul was joined by Timothy, travelling from town to town, seeing churches strengthened in faith and growing daily in number. They travelled throughout Phrygia and Galatia, to Troas, Samothrace and Neapolis. To Philippi where we find ourselves in the passage read last weekend and the Unleashed Worship of God’s people in Paul and Silas. They unashamedly prayed and sung hymns to God in the context of a prison. Having been stripped and beaten with rods, severely flogged and with their feet fastened in an inner cell. The response was a violent earthquake, with prison doors opened and chains loosed. Following which the jailor asked, “what must I do to be saved” (Acts 16:29) and his whole household was baptized and filled with joy. We can learn such a great deal from this passage but primarily this invitation to be unleashed in our worship. Yes, in the comfortable and easier places but in the difficult and bleaker places too as Jesus Himself joined in hymn singing as He prepared for betrayal, arrest and the agony of crucifixion after the Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26. Gavin and Anne Calver write, “To be a church unleashed requires learning to worship no matter how we feel, what is happening, or what could happen…. As we do it, something shifts in us: strength rises, the Spirit empowers, and we are reminded that the Lord Almighty has the victory.” Make unleashed worship a priority for you today.

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“Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” (Acts 12:5)

Gavin and Anne Calver, in their book ‘Unleashed’, describe Acts 12 as “one of the most exciting and terrifying moments of Scripture.” And one can see why – Peter experienced the danger of following Jesus together with the wonder of following Jesus in close proximity. But there are two themes of focus in this passage:

1) The participation of Peter in the experiences of Jesus as he was seized, arrested, guarded by soldiers for public trial and welcomed with disbelief by those gathered in the house of Mary; and

2) the participation of God’s people in prayer as they prayed earnestly to God for their brother Peter (Acts 12:5) and not solely but gathered as many (Acts 12:12).

As we consider the participation of Peter in the experiences of Jesus and the participation of God’s people in prayer, how can we do similar? Pick up our cross and follow Jesus? Be baptised, perhaps? Read His Word and join whatever prayer streams or gatherings are available? Because it matters to God, will be a blessing to you and to the church.

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“The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” (Acts 11:21)

We continue our series on the Church Unleashed, started before Advent and leading to Lent. Helpful in these days as we rediscover what it means to be church beyond the walls of our church buildings and for the witness to Christ Jesus. Antioch was one landing place for the scattered and persecuted church in Acts, with six core values that have influenced our own life and ministry at CBC. They are to:

1. SPEAK the good news about Jesus Christ (Acts 11:20)

2. GROW in our study of the Bible (Acts 11:26)

3. HELP those in need (Acts 11:29)

4. WORSHIP with prayer and fasting (Acts 13:2)

5. LISTEN to the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:28, 13:2)

6. SEND people to serve God (Acts 13:2-3)

These are the six core values of an Unleashed Church in Antioch and of Canterbury Baptist Church. How can we collectively keep and support these values in the context of our serving together at CBC? And how can you keep them in your faithful and bold service unto God both in these COVID days and beyond?

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“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

This prophecy was given to King Ahaz before the imminent invasion of Assyria in 734BC. Ahaz could not comprehend the word since he had ignored and disobeyed many previous signs and words from God given through His prophet Isaiah.

The virgin in the prophecy was Jerusalem, the labour referred to the Assyrian invasion and the son, Immanuel, was the faithful remnant of people, birthed from the destruction of Jerusalem. This faithful remnant were people who believed and obeyed the signs from God.

Immanuel means ‘God With Us’, a sign and reminder of God’s faithfulness, mercy and hope. The sign is also a promise for us today, the ultimate fulfilment of God’s good purposes for His people. For those who would believe and follow in the ultimate Immanuel, Jesus Christ.

The Magi in contrast to King Ahaz showed obedience and a heart to see and hear signs from God. They saw and followed the star; a sign from God that pointed to the prophesied Messiah, Jesus Christ.

As we start this new year, let us, like the Magi, commit to know the Scripture that points to and reveal Jesus. The Scripture that changes our hearts and open our eyes. Let us stay vigilant to watch, listen and obey. Let us recognise Jesus for who He is, ‘God With Us’, to bow down and worship him and give him our lives.

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“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

“‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)

We turn to the third throne name of Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, Everlasting Father. But what do we know about the Everlasting Father in scripture? From Isaiah 9:6 alone we discover that Jesus is an enduring, compassionate, provider and protector. Further explained in Isaiah 40:10-11 where with His power and mighty arm the Sovereign Lord “tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart”, words that perhaps remind us of Psalm 23 and Matthew 2:6. John 10:11 and 15 go further, explaining that the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep He so dearly loves – that’s you and me. But when I consider this third throne name of Jesus, I cannot help but think immediately of the parable of the lost or prodigal son in Luke 15. Also known as the parable of the Running Father. The Father heart of God is depicted so beautifully here as the fallen son returns to His father and receives compassion beyond compare, a lavish welcome that all speaks about God’s divine mercy towards sinners like you and me. Whatever your experience of father, cast your eyes upon Jesus and receive His enduring compassion for yourself – His forgiveness, His mercy and His grace, as well as His welcome. Then share this example to others.

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“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

“Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:8-9)

Jesus demonstrated the great power in humility through his birth, life and death. His birth and death seemed in great contrast to the Mighty God prophesied in Isaiah 9:6. He did not fight, or show pride, rather fully submitting in obedience to God His Father. Therefore, many did not and do not accept He is the Messiah; “the world did not recognise him” (John 1:10).

However, through the power of humility, Jesus conquered sin and death living a life and death poured out for others. We can share in the inheritance of our Mighty God also through humility, submitting our lives to Him and believing Jesus is truly Mighty God. Through this, we share in His victory over sin and death. Like Jesus, we too need to go low, moving pride out of the way, allowing God to move powerfully through us and fight for us. God lifts the humble and He exalted Jesus to the highest place. He will likewise exalt us if we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. 

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“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever – the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17a)

We begin a new teaching series today and for the duration of this Advent season, exploring the four throne names of Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. We read this passage every Christmas, usually announcing our carol services, but it has a new relevance today following the complexity of 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic. Why? Because we have seen not only a wave of physical illness globally but a wave of deterioration in our mental health too. The message of both Isaiah 9 and John 14 is that we all need the Counsellor to truly and eternally live. Isaiah 9 speaks of this King and Messiah who designs and implements the purposes of God to save humankind, liberate and free His creation as well as build His eternal kingdom. Jesus did and continues to do this but He also gives the Counsellor in our Advocate, Friend, Helper or Parakletos, the Holy Spirit. He will be with God’s people forever, live in us and teach us all things. He will give us peace, incomparable with that given by the world. As much as we will benefit from an earthly and human counsellor, professional people to assist with our mental wellbeing, we all need the ultimate, wonderful and life-giving Counsellor of Jesus and our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to truly and eternally live. Consider how you might give them more room in your heart and life today.