Ezekiel’s Vision of Jesus

William was born in Zundert, Holland in March 1853. The eldest of six children, his father was a Lutheran pastor. In 1869, aged 16 he left school and went to work for an art dealer in the Hague. Four years later he moved to London to work at the art dealer’s Southampton Street branch. As a bright young man, he wore a formal suit and top hat, and walked from his lodgings in Kensington to the Strand. He fell in love with Ursula, his landlady’s daughter. But she was already engaged and laughed at his affection for her. He turned to Jesus for consolation and found in him such comfort and strength that he was soon helping the local Methodist minister take meetings in Turnham Green and Petersham. He spent more and more time preaching among the poor. He wrote many letters to his brother Theo. On 13^th October, 1876 he wrote,

“Last Monday I was again at Richmond and my subject was, ‘He has sent me to preach the Gospel to the poor’ but whoever wants to preach the Gospel must first carry it in his own heart.”

His avourite hymn was “Tell me the old, old story of Jesus and his love”. His favourite reading, apart from the Bible, were the sermons of Charles H Spurgeon. The conviction grew that he should become a full-time evangelist. So in 1877 he returned to Holland to begin training for the ministry. But he found the academic demands of the theological college in Amsterdam too demanding and moved to a newly opened school for evangelists in Brussels. William lived among the coal miners and their families. He dressed like a peasant and shared their poverty, often going without food himself. William was concerned for their needs. He washed their clothes. He cared for their sick and consoled their dying. And he led them to Jesus. His methods were Christ-like – incarnational. But the church leaders were threatened by his success and would have nothing to do with him. Indeed they eventually hounded him out of the ministry… One of the most fruitful Christian evangelists in the world, rejected by the Church. Like many others, before and since, William took comfort from his Lord,

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

Ezekiel was one of the prophets Jesus had in mind when he promised his followers they too would be persecuted.

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Magda’s Choice

I recently attended a lunch in the House of Commons to honour the work of Elam. During the meal, Magda, a young Christian lady from Iran shared how she had been lured into a marriage with a man pretending to be a Christian. When he divorced her and took their 2 year old daughter, Magda went to the court to gain custody. According to the Iranian constitution a little girl can stay with her mother up to the age of 9. But the judge told Magda that the law did not apply in her case.

“The judge told me: ‘There’s only one way you can take custody of your daughter: If you come back to Islam and recant your Christian faith, we will give you your daughter.’ My lawyer was very happy. He urged me to accept the court offer and pretend I was not a Christian. It was a nightmare moment. On the one hand I really loved my daughter and wanted to get her back at all costs, but on the other hand I loved Jesus and had felt His living presence with me throughout my life. There was no way I could bring myself to deny Jesus. Deep in my heart, I felt peace that God was in charge. During those tense moments, I felt as if Jesus was waiting for my answer. Would I choose Him over my daughter? I told the judge that I would never deny Jesus. So the court ruled in favour of my husband and took my daughter away from me. This was the darkest chapter of my life. I missed my daughter terribly. I spent my days smelling her clothes, thinking of what she might be doing, and weeping. I became more isolated and was easily offended. I felt wronged and became depressed. I spent hours alone in my room crying.”

What would you have done? What will you do if you are faced with that choice in the future? Deny Jesus or lose your children? Deny Jesus or lose your job? Deny Jesus or go to prison? Deny Jesus or lose your life? What is the wise thing to do? The Bible was given to make us wise. The Book of Proverbs gives us the key that unlocks wisdom:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7)

The Bible divides the world in two: Those who fear the Lord, and fools who do not. A fool is not just someone who is a couple bricks short of a load, or is a few fries short of a Happy Meal. The Bible defines a fool as someone who doesn’t follow God’s ways. Someone who knows the right thing to do but instead does the opposite, or simply does nothing. Proverbs says that the “complacency of fools will destroy them.” (Proverbs 1:32).

In the New Testament, the contrast is made between the believer and unbeliever, between those walking in the light and those walking in darkness, between those following Jesus and those ignoring Jesus.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

Wisdom doesn’t come with age either. As the saying goes, “We can only be young once, but we can be immature indefinitely.” What will you pay to get wisdom?

“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

What sacrifice will you make to become wise? “For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 8:11)

Do you feel Magda paid too high a price? Was she wise or foolish? We make decisions every day, many trivial, some significant and a few life-changing. But do we choose wisely? How can we choose wisely?

So how did Magda respond to the Court taking her daughter way from her? In her own words:

“I was forced out of my isolation by one of the worst tragedies in our history: the earthquake in the city of Bam in southern Iran. I saw horrible scenes of devastation on TV: people wailing and mourning the loss of their loved ones. I could easily identify with them, as I was also mourning the loss of my beloved daughter. One day, a friend of mine who is now in prison for his Christian faith, called me and asked me to work with him and others helping the people of Bam.

I told my Christian friend that I couldn’t be of any help, thinking that if I had been a good mother God would have let me take care of my own child. After his telephone call, my mother came to my room. She said: ‘I want to tell you something: When you trusted God in the court and did not deny Jesus, God was with you. He is also with you now and has not abandoned you. Put your trust in Him, and like Moses’ mother, commit your daughter to the caring hands of God. He will take care of your daughter and will guide her in the river of life, and one day He will bring her back to you.’

My mother’s words greatly encouraged me, and I decided to call my friend and let him know I would be coming to help. I stayed in the city of Bam for one year, and while helping the orphaned children, God taught me many valuable lessons. He did wonderful miracles in my life, the most important of which was that He brought me to believe I am a valuable instrument in the hands of God.

He allowed me to shower my motherly love on children who had not only lost their mothers, but their whole families. We had the opportunity to sing Christian songs for them and tell them about God’s love for them. And despite the potential dangers, we also had the opportunity to pray with the people of Bam and tell them about Jesus. I was mother to many children, and God was abundantly making up for the dark days of my life. God gave me a chance to re-discover myself and my talents, and realize that I can use my talents for His glory. Most important of all, He put songs of joy and gratitude on my lips, things that had been absent from my lips for a long time.”

Christian Zionism: The New Heresy that Undermines Middle East Peace

At least one in four American Christians surveyed recently by Christianity Today magazine said that they believe it is their biblical responsibility to support the nation of Israel. This view is known as Christian Zionism. The Pew Research Center put the figure at 63 per cent among white evangelicals. Christian Zionism is pervasive within mainline American evangelical, charismatic and independent denominations including the Assemblies of God, Pentecostals and Southern Baptists, as well as many of the independent mega-churches. It is less prevalent within the historic denominations, which show a greater respect for the work of the United Nations, support for human rights, the rule of international law and empathy with the Palestinians.

The origins of the movement can be traced to the early 19th century when a group of eccentric British Christian leaders began to lobby for Jewish restoration to Palestine as a necessary precondition for the return of Christ. The movement gained traction from the middle of the 19th century when Palestine became strategic to British, French and German colonial interests in the Middle East. Proto-Christian Zionism therefore preceded Jewish Zionism by more than 50 years. Some of Theodore Herzl’s strongest advocates were Christian clergy.

Christian Zionism as a modern theological and political movement embraces the most extreme ideological positions of Zionism. It has become deeply detrimental to a just peace between Palestine and Israel. It propagates a worldview in which the Christian message is reduced to an ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism. In its extreme form, it places an emphasis on apocalyptic events leading to the end of history rather than living Christ’s love and justice today.

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Michael Bentley Refutes Allegations of Antisemitism

Dear Bishop Christopher,

Stephen Sizer has been a friend of mine for very many years and I have valued him and all the work he has done for very many years to enrich the lives of many people.

I was very surprised and saddened to learn that he is being charged with antisemitism, merely because he cited a particular website.

I do pray that soon he will be vindicated and it be acknowledged by his accusers that he is a godly man who values all peoples, regardless of race, religion or creed.

I pray for you in your vital work for the kingdom and God and the spiritual well-being of the clergy and people of your diocese.

May you be guided by the Lord in any decision you may have to make in regard to Stephen and his work.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Bentley
(retired Baptist Minister, and now Anglican layperson)

Antisemitic? We don’t think so

“Stephen has devoted a great deal of his intellectual and theological gifts to resisting every endeavour to provide a religious and specifically Biblical justification for Zionism. Holding such a view is not and should not be treated as anti-Semitic. His target includes those Christians who believe the Bible supports the Zionist vision. Stephen has sought to de-construct any religious/theological wall preventing us facing the difficult questions of justice for Palestinian people in the Holy Land. This important, if controversial work, has the support of some key Jewish thinkers and activists.

These strongly held views have not prevented Stephen from a clear commitment to the peace and well-being of all the people in the Holy Land and of all whatever their ethnic and political identity. He may be a controversial figure but he is a courageous and godly man.” + John Gladwin, retired Bishop of Guildford.

“I have known Stephen for over thirty years. I know him as a man of integrity and forthright views with the courage to express those views. He has always been measured , and his message is, and has been, one of Christian faith and the love of truth. His books and his articles are suffused with objective discipline. There is nothing in them, or him, that could be remotely construed as anti-Jewish, anti-Jew, anti-Semite or even anti Israel as a state.” + Riah Abu El Assal, retired Bishop of Jerusalem.

“No doubt Stephen Sizer’s detractors are acting in good faith, and I agree with them that antisemitism must be confronted. But they are regrettably misguided in their allegations about Stephen Sizer. He is in no sense antisemitic, and instead is fully in sympathy with those who seek to eradicate all forms of Jew-hatred in the modern world…”

“Having worked with the Counter Terrorist Agency of the Crown Prosecution Service, I am fully in agreement with such sentiments. We in the Jewish community must be vigilant to insure that our community does not suffer from attack. But it would be a travesty of justice to construe Stephen Sizer’s mistake in linking an offensive website to his Facebook and not removing it immediately as a deliberate attempt to encourage racial hatred.” Rabbi Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Professor Emeritus of Judaism, University of Wales.

“I await your vindication. You are a messenger just like Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela. Unlike them you may find that in this life you will not be accepted except by a few but in years to come the world will realize you were a champion of justice and human rights. Do what is right in God’s eyes. May the Holy Spirit give you strength. Keep your roots and values in God’s word in a loving relationship with Jesus. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.” Len Rodgers, Director Emeritus of Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding, Founder/President-Emeritus Venture International, Founder of World Vision Middle East

“I am astonished at the fact that this charge has been made when it has been so clear from former investigations that he has done nothing to warrant it. I suppose that the disturbing thing is the way that the moment a person questions the policies or actions of Zionists, they are accused of being anti-semitic. My grandfather experienced that as Bishop of Jerusalem in the post first world war period when he supported some of the Rabbis who were questioning the philosophy of Zionism. He was immediately branded as anti-semitic. It has been my own experience, on the occasions when I have challenged the biblical interpretation of the Christian Zionists, that there has been an unreasoning and often almost violent reaction, so I have sympathy with the situation in which Stephen finds himself.” Revd Canon David MacInnes, former Rector, St Aldates, Oxford

We don’t think so either either

Tanas Alqassis, Chairman, Arab Vision International
Revd Andrew Ashdown, Enham Team Rector and Trustee of Embrace the Middle East
Right Revd Riah Abo El Assal, 13th Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem
Fr Robert Assaly, Priest in the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
Dr Bishara Awad, Founder and President Emeritus, Bethlehem Bible College
Rev Michael Bentley, retired Baptist minister
Dr Mark Braverman, Author of the Fatal Embrace
Canon Dr Mike Butterworth, former Academic Registrar, Oak Hill College
David Carter, Director, Middle East Evangelical Concern
Anne Clayton, Coordinator, Friends of Sabeel UK
Rabbi Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Professor Emeritus of Judaism, University of Wales
Michael Connarty MP, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
Jeremy Corbyn MP, Islington North
Katherine Cunningham, Moderator, IPMN, Presbyterian Church USA
Dr Martin Davie, Theological Advisor to the House of Bishops
Professor Philip Davies, Department of Biblical Studies, University of Sheffield
Professor Scott Elias, Royal Holloway, University of London
Adam Estle, Executive Director of Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding
Right Revd John Gladwin, former Bishop of Guildford and Chairman of Citizens Advice
Anthony Gratrex, member of Christ Church, Virginia Water
Tony Greenstein, Founding Member, Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Professor Mary Grey, Emeritus Professor of Theology, University of Wales
Dr Jeff Halper, Co-founder of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
Hank Hanegraaff, President, Christian Research Institute
Revd Phil Hill, Nazareth Evangelical Theological Seminary
Canon Garth Hewitt, Founder, Amos Trust
Revd Dr Stuart Jennings, Free Church Chaplain, University of Warwick
Lawrence Jones, former member of Christ Church, Virginia Water
Dr Ghada Karmi, Fellow of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, Exeter University
Manfred W. Kohl, Ambassador, Overseas Council
Dr Attorney Jonathan Kuttab, Chairman of the Board, Bethlehem Bible College
Venerable Michael Lawson, Chairman, Church of England Evangelical Council
Anne Martin, member of Christ Church, Virginia Water
Jeremy Moodey, Chief Executive, Embrace the Middle East
Craig Murray, former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan
Diana Neslen, Ex-officio, Jews for Justice for Palestinians
Professor Ilan Pappe, Director, European Centre for Palestine Studies, Exeter University
Revd Chris Rose, Director of the Amos Trust
Canon John Salter, Vice Chair, Garden Tomb Association
Revd Jack Sara, President, Bethlehem Bible College
Rabbi Dr Stanley Howard Schwartz, Hospice Chaplain and retired Army Chaplain
David Toorawa, Chair, Friends of Sabeel UK
Revd Dr Donald Wagner, National Director, Friends of Sabeel North America
Revd John Woodger, Retired vicar, St Mary’s Watford

News Sources:

Church of England Newspaper: Sizer complaint
Church Times: Vicar is not Anti-Semitic
Church Times: Rabbi Clears Vicar of Anti-Semitism
Jewish Chronicle: Bishop: anti-Zionist vicar ‘no antisemite
Jewish Chronicle: Sizer: I am ready to meet the Board of Deputies any time
Jews for Justice for Palestinians Digging for dirt: the campaign against Stephen Sizer
Phil Groom (member of CCJ): Jeremiah’s Underpants
Phil Groom (member of CCJ): Dr Sizer is cleared

Commendations

“He has recently explained, however, that he ‘categorically reject[s] any position that threatens the territorial integrity of Israel as a sovereign nation…. Stephen Sizer’s work has the merit of clearly setting out the issues that divide the two sides, and furthermore doing so without the rancour or sheer nastiness of tone typical of the polemics in the conflict.” (p.571). Anthony Julius, Chairman of the London Consortium and a Visiting Professor at Birbeck College, University of London. His book Trials of the Diaspora, is a magisterial 800 page examination of the history of Anti-Semitism in England.

“I am glad to commend Stephen Sizer’s ground-breaking critique of Christian Zionism. His comprehensive overview of its roots, its theological basis and its political consequences is very timely. I myself believe that Zionism, both political and Christian, is incompatible with biblical faith. Stephen’s book has helped to reinforce this conviction.” John Stott, (deceased) former Rector Emeritus, All Soul’s, Langham Place, London, the principal framer of the Lausanne Covenant (1974) and founder of the Langham Partnership International.

“This is a very fine and important book. All Christians who believe that Jesus favoured peacemakers, should read it and realise what terrible harm is being done in the name of Christianity. And all who are concerned about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict should read it to understand how Christian Zionism disables the US as fair minded mediator. European foreign policy thinkers should read it,because this distortion of US political space, puts a greater responsibility on European governments to stand up for justice and international law” Clare Short, former British Secretary of State for International Development

More than sixty bishops, clergy, politicians and academics have endorsed my books Christian Zionism and Zion’s Christian Soldiers

Pray in all Circumstances

Have you listened to children praying recently? We can learn a lot. Here are a few heard recently:

“Lord, Is Pastor Dan a friend of yours or do you just know him through the business?”

“Dear God, is it true my father won’t get in Heaven if he uses his golf words in the house?”

“Dear God, my Grandpa says you were around when he was a little boy. How far back do you go?

“Dear God, in Bible times, did they really talk that fancy?”

“God, maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they each had their own rooms. It works out OK with me and my brother.”

“God, I went to this wedding and they were kissing right there in the church. Is that OK?”

“Dear God, please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.”

“Dear God, are you really invisible or is that just a trick?”

“God, I want to be just like my daddy when I grow up but not so hairy.”

“Dear Lord, do you draw the lines around the countries? If you don’t , who does?”

“Dear Lord, I don’t think anybody could be a better God, and I am not just saying that because You are God already.”

As God’s children, we can come freely and boldly to His eternal throne and share with Him whatever is on our hearts, our hopes, our fears, needs and our questions. Seven times in this chapter James mentions prayer. He encourages us to:

Prayer for the Suffering (James 5:13)
Prayer for the Sick (James 5:14)
Prayer for the Straying (James 5:19-20)

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The Perfecting Power of Patience

Sometimes patience is a virtue absent in the holiest of saints. On the last day of the Papal visit to the UK in 2010, there was a little known incident on his way back to Heathrow. The Pope was delayed due to meetings and was going to miss his flight. When the limousine arrived, the driver was overjoyed to be carrying the Pope. But he was nervous and drove very slowly. The Pope asked him to speed up. But the driver went slower; he wanted to keep the Pope in his limousine as long as he could. The Pope insisted on driving the limo himself. The Pope sped off and was clocked by a speed camera doing 85 mph.

The policeman who stopped him was shocked when he discovered the famous personality behind the wheel. He frantically phoned his police chief and said, “Chief, I have stopped a very important figure for speeding. I don’t know what to do?”–“What do you mean? Give him a speeding ticket!” –“Sir, in all honesty, I can’t.”–“Why can’t you? The law is the law. Who is it anyway that you stopped? Is it the mayor of London?” –“No, sir.” –“Is it the Prime Minister?” –“No, sir.” –“Is it the Queen?” –“No, sir.” –“Well, then, who is it?!” –“I don’t know sir! All I know is that the Pope is driving him to the airport.”

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.” (James 5:7a).

Two different words are used for patience. In James 5:7–8, 10 it is the word “long-suffering” and probably refers to people with whom you need patience. The words “endure” and “patience” used in James 5:11 mean something different – literally “to remain under” meaning endurance under great stress suggesting stressful situations or conditions. As a whole, ‘patience’ means “to stay put and stand fast when you’d like to run away.” But why be patient?

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How to be sure you are a Christian

How can you be sure that you are a Christian? How can you know that you know? This is one of the most important questions you can ever answer in life. It is foundational to your life and growth as a Christ follower. Without the peace of mind that God loves you and that you are a child of God, you will never feel secure. You will always be tempted to doubt your faith. You will fear that you are not good enough. You will worry that you might lose your faith. Tonight I want us to answer the question once and for all. Please turn with me to 1 John 5. In verse 13 John writes,

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13).

The Apostle John uses the word “know” almost 40 times in this short letter. Why? because the Lord wants us to know him and know that we know him. That we know our sins are forgiven. That we know we have been adopted into his family. That we know we have eternal life. That we know we will be with God for ever and ever. So how can we know? Let’s consider three tests. Three simple tests so that you can know you know.

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The Perils, Power and Possibilities of Wealth

This year we are celebrating the 175th Anniversary of Christ Church. Virginia Water has changed a great deal since the early 19^th Century. The 1830’s were troubled years in Britain. Agricultural depression, large scale unemployment, poverty and rioting in rural areas. In 1846, the Cambridge Chronicle described Virginia Water as inhabited chiefly by “agricultural labourers, and not a few idle poachers,… in a state of ignorance, ungodliness and spiritual destitution rarely equalled.” The nearest church was St John’s in Egham and there were few free places allocated to the poor.

Fearing another French Revolution, the government looked to the Church of England for moral leadership. That is why, in 1837, plans were made to build a church in the poorest part of Egham Parish, yes here in Virginia Water. On Monday 10^th September 1838, a meeting was held at the Wheatsheaf inn for people wishing to contribute to the building of a church for the labouring poor. It would cost £2,000 and this would be raised by public subscription. Although £200 was donated by the Queen, the rest came from local people, including two shillings from an unknown child. The land itself was donated by Catherine Irvine.

She was the widow of Walter Irvine. Their daughter, Christina, also donated £2,000 to create an endowment fund to pay the clergy salary. So more than half of the cost of building and sustaining this church was provided by one family. Today we are thankful that a significant proportion of our church family give sacrificially to sustain the mission of Christ Church, in and beyond Virginia Water. If you have yet to experience the blessing of giving then pick up the stewardship leaflet in the entrance. Which brings us back to James 5 and the three peas of wealth:

1. The Perils of Wealth to Corrupt (James 5:1-3)
2. The Power of Wealth to Exploit (James 5:4-6)
3. The Possibilities of Wealth to Bless (James 5:7-8)

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The Folly of Arrogance

“A little boy is on the beach. On his knees he scoops the sand with his plastic shovel into a bright red bucket. Then he upends the bucket on the surface and lifts it. And, to the delight of the little architect, a castle tower is created.

All afternoon he will work. Spooning out the moat. Packing the walls. A sandcastle will be built. Bottle tops will be sentries. Lollipop sticks will be bridges. Big city. Busy streets. Rumbling traffic. A man in his office. At his desk he shuffles papers into stacks and delegates assignments. He cradles the phone on his shoulder and punches the keyboard with his fingers. Numbers are juggled and contracts are signed and much to the delight of the man, a profit is made. All his life he will work. Formulating the plans. Forecasting the future. Annuities will be sentries. Capital gains will be bridges. An empire will be built. Two builders of two castles. They have much in common. They shape sand into structures. They create something from nothing. They are diligent and determined. And for both the tide will rise and the end will come. Yet that is where the similarities cease. For the boy sees the end while the man ignores it. Watch the boy as the dusk approaches. As the waves near, the wise child jumps to his feet and begins to clap.

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Ramadan and Fasting from a Christian Perspective

1. Is Fasting Christian?

The simple answer is yes. The tradition of fasting is taught throughout the Bible: The prophets, Moses, David, Elijah, Esther, Daniel, the Apostle Paul and Jesus all fasted. Though the Christian scriptures do not command fasting, Jesus assumed his followers would fast. He said “when you fast,” not “if you fast.” The Christian Church for 2000 years has therefore encouraged fasting as a personal spiritual discipline. Collectively, the Lenten fast is a forty-day partial fast prior to Easter to commemorate the fast observed by Jesus during his temptation in the desert

2. Why Christians Fast

2.1 Fasting can increase our hunger for God

John Piper writes in his book, A Hunger for God, asks,

“If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. God did not create you for this. There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened. I invite you to turn from the dulling effects of food and the dangers of idolatry, and to say with some simple fast ‘This much, O God, I want you.’”

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