A visit to Met Tab

I have enjoyed a lovely weekend in London this weekend. A nice time spent with my brother, a great stag day out for Andy Taylor (Go Ape! and Zizzi) and then a visit to the famous Metropolitan Tabernacle in Elephant & Castle this morning all made for a nice way to start the Easter holidays. I'm currently sitting watching the Australian GP so a bit of F1 without a worry of getting up for work tomorrow will do nicely thank you very much.

At Met Tab, Dr Peter Masters was preaching on Mark 16:15-20 to conclude a series of preaching on the book of Mark. I jotted down a few brief points that I wanted to remember and think about:

v15 - here are three ways that the word 'gospel' has been misused over the years:

1. It has been used by the Catholic Church to refer to the Sacramental practices of the church.
2. Since liberal theology has come in during the late 19th century it has been used to refer to the social work of the church (helping the poor, etc)
3. Some people refer to all preaching as 'preaching the gospel'

The gospel is the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that provides full and free deliverance from the power and penalty of sin according to the grace of God alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone for all those who believe.

v16 - Believing is not just assent with a list of beliefs or doctrines. It means enough belief to lead one to repentance. Do you believe enough so that you repent? That is the real test of whether you believe.

v20 - the Lord worked with them. There is much for us to do - only the Lord can regenerate souls.

The closing hymn was one that I had never sung before: Lord in the fulness of my might. I suggest you click the link and read the challenging words.

I enjoyed my visit to Met Tab. The service is a lot more traditional in its structure, Bible version, etc than my church but the true word of God is proclaimed there faithfully, clearly and with a challenge to the believer and the gospel is proclaimed with a clear passion for evangelism. The people were friendly and welcoming; I was even invited to lunch. I hope to visit again sometime and accepted that offer!

Bunyan on Prayer

I am currently reading a Puritan Paperback on Prayer by John Bunyan. Here is a great quote from it:

Alas! the greatest part of men make no conscience at all of the duty; and as for them that do, it is to be feared that many of them are very great strangers to a sincere, sensible and affectionate pouring out their hearts or souls to God. They content themselves with a little lip-labour and bodily exercise, mumbling over a few imaginary prayers. When the affections are indeed engaged in prayer, then the whole man is engaged, and that in such sort that the soul will spend itself, as it were, rather than go without that good desired, even communion and solace with Christ. And hence it is that the saints have spent their strength, and lost their lives, rather than go without the blessing (Ps. 69:3, 38:9-10, Gen 32:24,26)