Search

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. Both governments are blaming each other. Supportive countries back “their” side for the stance taken. This Arabic traffic sign says, “Stop”. We could do with signs like this in every Sudanese tribal language as well. Now is the time to stop all war in Sudan and South Sudan, especially a war between the two newest of African countries. Any war brings horrible things that nobody wants. War in either Sudan means many mothers will lose their sons. Wives will lose their husbands. Thousands of Sudanese bodies, Arab and African, will be maimed as limbs are blown off, eyesight is blackened, ears become painfully quiet. Normal life will become impossible in any future, whatever happens when “peace” is restored. The effects of war can last over many a lifetime. Hatred grows. Mistrust explodes. Thirst for revenge is not easily quenched. Smaller grievances quickly develop into threatening incidents. “Them” and “us” so easily replaces “we” Sudanese. Vibrant resources that should be used to give our children enough good food, clean disease-free water, quality classes in schools and universities, are prioritised to buy guns and tanks instead. Clinics and hospitals are only built if there is enough money left over after “defensive” (but expensive) bullets and bombs have been secured from our “friends”. These are just some of the effects of war, which I am sure nobody wants. Of course the decision to go to war is not directly taken by most of us. It is taken by our government leaders in the far away capital cities of Khartoum or Juba. Romans 13:1-7 tells Christians to “submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established”. This was written when the Romans were the Civil power and the Jews the Religious power. Christians had no power at all, except for the presence of the risen Lord Jesus giving them “patient endurance”, “faithfulness”, “wisdom” and “insight”, see the final “war against the saints” in Revelation 13:1-18. Living at that time and situation Jesus said:“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s”, Mark 12:17. I think Christians should submit to government authority up to the point where to do so brings disobedience to God. Then “We must obey God rather than men!” Acts 5:29. ‘Submit to’ means ‘to cooperate with’, and is the opposite of ‘rebelling against’. 1 Peter 2:11-25 teaches how we can do this. May 2012.

before God took back his voice, using cancer, after lending it to him for 57 years. All lessons are now here, 1 to 53, with video timings in minutes.seconds giving the length of each unit. There are 1,2,3 or 4 videos per individual lesson. Click on the timing to start each video. For English language practise, why not watch and listen while reading the book text, which you can find elsewhere on this site? Section 1. Theology is to be considered and experienced 1. Introduction 1. Describe in your own words the greatness of God Start video: 05.11 minutes.seconds 2. From memory: List all things God is, then all He does Start video: 14.01 minutes.seconds 3. How should we fear such a great God? Start video: 05.59 minutes.seconds 2. Is the God of Islam the same as the God of Christianity? 1. When you talk with someone about God/Allah, how can you be sure you are talking about the same divine being? Start video: 06.22 minutes.seconds 2. From Acts 17:16-34 only, how did Paul define God? Start video: 05.06 minutes.seconds 3. Is there anything you would add to Paul's definition if you were talking to your friends? If there is, why? Start video: 02.53 minutes.seconds 3. Hungry to get to know God better 1. What things stop people from wanting to experience more of God? What things do the opposite - and help people get to know God as a real friend? Start video: 04.25 minutes.seconds 2. Are there ways we can help each other live close to God? Start video: 04.14 minutes.seconds 4. What comes into your mind when you think about God? 1. Describe some of the ways you personally think about God. Start video: 01.51 minutes.seconds 2. For each of these ways, decide did you learn it from the Bible, from nature, or from another person? Why is the Bible the most important resource (but not the only way) for thinking about God? Start video: 16.32 minutes.seconds 5. A helpful exercise 1. Read your Bible to begin a study of the existence and nature of God. Start with Genesis 1:1-23. Start video: 08.30 minutes.seconds 2. Now try the same from: Psalm 145:1-21; Isaiah 55:1-13; John 17:1-26; Ephesians 1:1-22. Start video: 02.32 minutes.seconds 6. Why study theology? 1. What are some of the differences between 'head-knowledge' of God and a 'living experience' of him? Give at least four reasons for developing a good theology. Start video: 05.44 minutes.seconds 2. With your Bible closed, write one page (or speak for one minute) on the subject: 'Who is God?' Start video: 06.23 minutes.seconds Section 2. The essential nature and character of God 7. God perfectly exists in a different life form from us 1. What does the description, 'God is Spirit', mean to you? Start video: 05.17 minutes.seconds 2. Explain how this is different from belief in 'the spirit of the tree' or 'the spirit of an ancestor. Start video: 06.01 minutes.seconds 8. God is one complete God 1. Some people say: 'I think the most important thing about God is his 'love'. Others say: 'I think the most important attribute of God is his righteousness'. What would you say? Start video: 06.56 minutes.seconds 2. Why are there some qualities of God we always talk about: his love, holiness, etc., and others we seldom if ever talk about: his justice, patience, etc.? Start video: 03.59 minutes.seconds 9. One God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit 1. How can you define the Trinity yourself? Start video: 13.25 minutes.seconds 2. How do you answer a member of another faith who understands that 'Christians believe in three gods'? Start video: 08.10 minutes.seconds 10. God is apart from and above time 1. Try to explain 'eternity' without reference to time. What is the relationship between 'time' and 'eternity'? Start video: 08.01 minutes.seconds 2. 'God is always working for things to be right in eternity' (Romans 8:28). How does this help us view things that happen around us in our lifetimes? Start video: 05.24 minutes.seconds 11. God is everywhere present at the same time 1. Since God is omnipresent, can it be right to say "We invite you to come and be with us, Jesus", at the beginning of a worship service? What do we really mean? How can we express it better? Start video: 08.11 minutes.seconds 2. If you were on your own in a very bad situation, (prison, danger, etc.), how would thinking of God's omnipresence help you? Start video: 09.55 minutes.seconds 12. God is a living being who can think, feel and decide 1. The personality of God enables our 'relationship with him' rather than just a 'knowledge of him'. What are the differences between these two? Start video: 09.40 minutes.seconds 2. After thinking about this, list as many differences as you can. Start video: 05.43 minutes.seconds 13. God is able to do anything his character allows him to do 1. Why does God do some good things and not others that we feel should be done - when he is obviously able to do them all? Can God break his own rules? Start video: 10.41 minutes.seconds 2. How should we respond when God seems to be doing nothing to help us? Start video: 10.13 minutes.seconds 14. God knows everything 1. How does the omniscience of God help you when you are in great need? How does it help when you are serving him? How does it help when you are sinning? Start video: 14.32 minutes.seconds 15. God is purely God 1. What effect should God's holiness have in our church? In our relationships with our neighbours of different faiths? In our politics? Start video: 06.49 minutes.seconds 2. If we sin easily or carelessly, what should we expect from the holiness of God? Start video: 06.15 minutes.seconds 16. God’s heartfelt and active care for our well-being 1. We understand God's love by his care of us and his provision for us. What does this tell us about 'loving one another'? Start video: 11.31 minutes.seconds 2. Why do you think Jesus said: "He who has been forgiven little, loves little"? Why can God never stop loving? Start video: 08.05 minutes.seconds 17. God’s fair treatment of everyone while being true to his character 1. What is the difference between 'being given justice' by God, and 'getting what we deserve' from him? Start video: 08.05 minutes.seconds 2. Bribery may get you what you want - but is it 'just'? Why? How do the other attributes of God that we have seen, give us the confidence that God will always be just and fair? Start video: 07.48 minutes.seconds 18. God does not give us what we deserve 1. List as many of the natural mercies of God as you can think of - the ones that he gives to everyone. Why does everyone need God's mercy? Start video: 14.17 minutes.seconds 2. Why is it important to understand, 'God's mercy gave us Jesus'? Start video: 02.37 minutes.seconds 19. God can always be trusted 1. Since God is faithful to his word, how confident of it should we be? Since God is faithful to himself, how can we discover if our 'ideas to serve him' come from him or elsewhere? Start video: 06.32 minutes.seconds 2. How does God's 'faithfulness' help us when we face an unknown future? Start video: 08.02 minutes.seconds 20. God always agrees with the mind of God 1. Why is it impossible to 'measure God' or 'value God' by anything else? Start video: 07.32 minutes.seconds 2. Jesus, speaking to his Father, used the phrase: "the only true God" (John 17:3). What does this mean for other religions? What is the best way to know the truth about God, according to this prayer of Jesus? Start video: 08.49 minutes.seconds Section 3. God’s word written down and published 21. God’s purpose for the Bible 1. Comparisons between Christianity and Islam. Then, according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are God's purposes for the Bible? Start video: 08.48 minutes.seconds 2. How would you tell your friend what the central message of the Bible is? Where does the story of Jesus fit into the whole Bible? Start video: 09.29 minutes.seconds 22. The truth of the Bible 1. 'Every word in the Bible is literally true'. Is this statement true or false? Why? Start video: 13.18 minutes.seconds 2. List five or more things that Jesus did with the Old Testament. Start video: 05.35 minutes.seconds 3. "Truth is truth. It means what it says". Think of some things that you say, or others say to you, that make you want to challenge this statement. (For example: 'I died from embarrassment'). Start video: 05.54 minutes.seconds 23. God breathed the Bible 1. What are the differences between the way the Qur'an was 'dictated', and the way the Bible was 'God-breathed'? Start video 09.43 minutes.seconds 2. Why is it important to believe the Bible to be the word of God? Which other attributes of God help you to accept the Bible as God's word? Start video: 05.24 minutes.seconds 24. How our Bible is like it is 1. What is the difference between a 'church-created' Bible and a 'church-recognised' Bible? Why was a 'canon' (standard) of Scripture needed? Start video 10.01 minutes.seconds 2. How did Jesus describe the Bible in John 16:13-15? Start video: 03.49 minutes.seconds 25. How the Bible came to Sudan Is there a Bible in your mother-tongue? If not, what can you do to help one be translated? What attributes of God are seen by the recent speeding up of Bible translation in Sudan, thanks to war and displacement of people? What specific responsibilities do Sudanese people have for enabling the production of the Bible in all Sudanese languages? Start video: 12.17 minutes.seconds 26. Translating the Bible 1. Look in the front of your Bible: does it tell you what type of translation it is? (Read its Preface or Introduction). Compare this to the six types listed earlier in chapter 26. Start video: 11.41 minutes.seconds 2. As well as being true to the old texts and original Bible languages, why is it important that translators keep up to date with modern language usage? How do we know that God himself wants to speak to us through the Bible? Start video: 03.23 minutes.seconds 27. Interpreting and applying the Bible 1. Why is it necessary to follow rules for reading, understanding and applying the Bible? Why is it necessary to 'get the big picture first', and see where an individual verse, or story, or Bible book, fits into the whole Bible? Start video: 12.20 minutes.seconds 2. Discuss the twelve guideline given towards the end of chapter 27. Which are the most important for you at this time? Why? Start video 08.28 minutes.seconds Section 4. The beginning of the story of God and humankind 28. Starting where the Bible starts 1. From reading ONLY Genesis 1:1; Genesis 3:1; Genesis 12:1; Genesis 46:1-4; Exodus 3:7-9; Exodus 20:1-3; Joshua 1:1-5; and Jeremiah 32:36-41; what do you think is THE theme of the Old Testament? Start video: 12.59 minutes/seconds 2. From reading ONLY Mark 1:1; John 20:30-3 1; Acts 1:1-5; Colossians 1:3-6; and Revelation 21:1-4; what do you think is THE theme of the New Testament? Start video: 06.06 minutes.seconds 3. Use the pictures, or use the actions shown, to tell the summary of the Bible's Big Story. Start video: 08.48 minutes.seconds 29. God’s creation of man 1. In what ways are all people 'in the image of God'? Genesis 1:27. Why did God create people? Start video: 08.57 minutes/seconds 2. How is Jesus different from all other men, in God's image? Start video: 05.50 minutes.seconds 30. Mankind’s sin against God 1. Suggest a general definition of 'sin'. Start video: 03.00 minutes/seconds 2. "I do not have to do anything to be a sinner. I am a sinner". Explain what the difference is between 'being a sinner' and 'sinning'. Start video: 07.31 minutes.seconds 3. List as many things as you can - at least seven - that are affected by human sin. Start video: 06.01 minutes.seconds Section 5. God’s chosen Saviour – Jesus! 31. Jesus, the Man Who is God 1. Give at least five reasons to believe 'Jesus was God as a man'. Start video: 17.48 minutes.seconds 2. Was Jesus 'part of God' or 'all of God'? Explain your answer, using some of the attributes of God. Start video: 10.39 minutes.seconds 32. Jesus, the God Who is man 1. What is the best evidence we have supporting the fact that Jesus was a real man? Start video: 09.23 minutes.seconds 2. Why did God become a man? Start video: 08.38 minutes.seconds 3. What difference would it make to the Christian gospel if Jesus was not God? Start video: 12.46 minutes.seconds 33. Jesus, past, present and future 1. How can Jesus have lived before King David and yet also have lived several hundred years after him? John 17:5; 2 Timothy 2:2-8. Start video: 07.36 minutes/seconds 2. In which ways is Jesus like a prophet? Like a priest? Like a king? Start video: 15.59 minutes.seconds 3.How is Jesus different from all human prophets, priests and kings? Start video: 09.57 minutes.seconds 4. What can we definitely know about Judgement Day? Start video: 16.25 minutes.seconds 34. A ‘just peace’ with God 1. How does God's holiness affect our sin and our salvation? What is the difference between receiving justice from God and getting what we deserve from him? Start video: 09.33 minutes.seconds 2. Describe how a person can experience complete peace with God. Start video: 06.37 minutes.seconds 35. The unique Jesus 1. Why does 'their view of Jesus Christ' ultimately show the truth or falseness of any religion? Start video: 09.45 minutes.seconds 2. List all the ways that Jesus was (and is) unique. Start video: 07.48 minutes.seconds 36. “Another One like Me”, Jesus said 1. Why do people who know Jesus in their experience, also know the Holy Spirit? Start video: 05.57 minutes.seconds 2. What limits our understanding and appreciation of God? Start video: 05.11 minutes.seconds 3. From John 14-16, what can we be sure God the Holy Spirit will do? Give chapter and verse reference for each one. Start video: 14.12 minutes.seconds Section 6. God the Holy Spirit and our Christian experience 37. A living person: God the Holy Spirit 1. What difference does it make in the way we speak of, and relate to, the Holy Spirit, when we remember he is a person and not just a power? with 2. How many references in John 14-17 can you find where Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a person? Start video: 11.40 minutes.seconds 3. What does "the fellowship of the Holy Spirit" mean? Start video: 09.52 minutes.seconds 4. Which attributes of God help you to appreciate the Holy Spirit as 'all of God' and not just 'part of God'? Start video: 09.35 minutes.seconds 38. An Old Testament pattern of the Holy Spirit 1. Read the story of Gideon, Judges 6-8, and discuss 'why and how' the Holy Spirit came into his life and ministry. with 2. Is it only 6:34? Start video: 08.05 minutes.seconds 3. Why do you think there are so few references to the Holy Spirit being on Elijah? Start video: 06.00 minutes.seconds 4. Discuss if there are any differences between 'the Spirit of God' and 'the presence of God'. Start video: 06.14 minutes.seconds 39. A New Testament presence of the Holy Spirit 1. What different thoughts can you list where water, in some way, illustrates the activity of the Holy Spirit today? Start video: 24.15 minutes.seconds 2. How many different ways is the same 'Pentecost' experience referred to in Acts? Look up Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:16-21; Acts 2:33; Acts 10:44-48 and Acts 11:1-18. with 3. What lesson should we learn from the several experiences that Peter had with the Holy Spirit? Consider John 20:21-23; Acts 1:1-4; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 4:8; Acts 4:31; Acts 5:3 and Acts 9:31. Start video 10.34 minutes.seconds 4. How does 'the Holy Spirit mediate the life of Jesus into the life of the church'? Start video: 11.00 minutes.seconds 40. Recent controversies concerning the Holy Spirit 1. What do many Christians share in common, that makes all divisions concerning the Holy Spirit very sad? Start video: 08.09 minutes.seconds 2. What are the differences (if any) between 'being baptised with the Holy Spirit' Acts 1:4-5, and 'being filled with the Holy Spirit', Ephesians 5:18? with 3. What differences are there (if any) in the end result in a believers' life? Start video: 13.50 minutes.seconds 4. While it is right to 'seek, knock and ask' for a greater experience of God (Matthew 6:33; Matthew 7:7), what dangers are there in always wanting more? (Philippians 4:4 and Philippians 4:13). Start video: 08.29 minutes.seconds 41. Testing and discerning for truth 1. How do you "test which spirits are from God"? 1 John 4:1. What does the text mean? with 2. Why should we "be careful of the latest Christian fashion" or "Christian visitor"? and with 3. What practical steps are you able to take to discover a person's answers to my suggested questions 1-8? Start video: 22.26 minutes.seconds 42. Spiritual warfare 1. Why should we avoid both extreme views of 'spiritual warfare'? Start video: 05.43 minutes.seconds 2. Since Satan can quote Scripture and perform miracles, what should our response be to those who quote the Bible and demonstrate signs? Start video: 29.01 minutes.seconds 3. What can we learn about 'prayer' from Ephesians 1:15-19; Ephesians 3:14-19 and 6:18-20? with 4. How is the devil defeated in the believer's life? See 1 John 3:8 and Colossians 2:13-15. Start video: 13.02 minutes.seconds Section 7. How God saves his people from their sins 43. Explaining a mystery 1. What are the main differences between the Old Testament system of sacrifices, offered for God's people, and the gospel sacrifice Jesus offered on the cross? Start video: 15.12 minutes.seconds 2. Which attributes of God mean he must be legally satisfied with the way sin is dealt with? Start video: 08.31 minutes.seconds 3. Discuss your answer to the question: 'Are you saved?' Give Bible references to support your answer. Start video: 08.23 minutes.seconds 44. Extracts from 'Statements of belief' from different churches of Sudan (and South Sudan). 1. Which of the church or college statements best expresses how a person is saved? with 2. Explain why you think this one is better than the others. Start video: 47.07 minutes.seconds 45. Definition of key 'salvation' words. 1. Give another Scripture verse (not the ones I used in this chapter) for every one of the twenty-six 'salvation word' definitions given in lesson/chapter 45. with 2. How does the verse you have given help to explain the 'salvation word'? Start video: 31.27 minutes.seconds 46. Explaining how salvation is experienced 1. What is the danger for an evangelist who misunderstands, and therefore misrepresents, salvation in his or her witness? Start video: 07.07 minutes.seconds 2. Grudem lists about seventeen steps in the salvation process. Which ones should you present in gospel preaching? Why? Start video: 04.09 minutes.seconds 3. Are there any of Reidhead's eight steps in the salvation process that you seldom hear preached in gospel sermons. Why do you think this is? Start video: 42.22 minutes.seconds 47. Taking care in our evangelism 1. What could the differences be between people responding to the evangelist and his or her message, and people actually responding to God? Start video: 13.56 minutes.seconds 2. How can we be reasonably sure the people we are witnessing to are genuinely responding to God? Start video: 22.25 minutes.seconds 3. Who is responsible for evangelising the lost? Support your answer from Scripture. Start video: 04.45 minutes.seconds Section 8. God lives in the church 48. The Old and New Testament church 1. What are the differences between the 'universal church' and the 'local church'? with 2. Which of these two is 100% made up of genuine, born-again believers? Start video: 18.34 minutes.seconds 3. What lessons can you learn from seeing the church as "the household of God"? Start video: 09.04 minutes.seconds 49. Christian worship 1. How are the 'five reasons Christian congregations exist' expressed in your local church or fellowship? with 2. If one or two are weak, how can they be strengthened? Start video: 17.17 minutes.seconds 3. Describe in one sentence, 'a group of Christians worshipping God'. with 4. Which is the worst trap for a local church to fall into: being 'chaotic' in worship, or 'being too rigidly structured' in worship? Why? Start video: 21.09 minutes.seconds 50. Christian ministry 1. Define: 'the Christian ministry'. with 2. What does 'the priesthood of all believers' mean? Start video: 22.07 minutes.seconds 3. How can a 'servant of the church' be its leader? Start video: 09.53 minutes.seconds 51. Church ordinances 1. What is the general purpose of the two church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion)? Start video: 09.10 minutes.seconds 2. Describe how Jesus is 'present' with believers at communion. How is this different from his presence with us anywhere else? Start video: 15.52 minutes.seconds 3. What is the purpose of Believers' Baptism? with 4. What is the purpose of Infant Baptism? Start video: 16.52 minutes.seconds 5. How does Romans 14:19-15:2 challenge our attitudes towards those of different Christian practice? Start video: 10.30 minutes.seconds 52. Leadership and Membership of the local Church 1. How are leaders - and other peoples gifts - to be recognised and encouraged by the local church? Start video: 30.15 minutes.seconds 2. What kind of example did Jesus himself set, as a leader of his disciples? Start video: 04.40 minutes.seconds 3. How can a local church maintain unity between a variety of people? What principles should guide it? with 4. How can many different local churches, from a variety of denominations, show unity in Christ? Is meeting together necessary? Start video: 16.07 minutes.seconds 53. Conclusion: our need to put theology into practice 1. Why must 'good thinking about God' lead to changes in our individual and corporate (church) behaviour? Start video: 07.25 minutes.seconds 2. Is studying the Bible enough? What more is there to successful Christian discipleship? Start video: 03.56 minutes.seconds The end.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. “The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me” Psalm 138:8. In 2003, when I was unexpectedly uprooted from Sudan and transplanted (by God) back into English soil, Brenda and I were very puzzled. 1. Both of us were made generously welcome by believers at our home church, Redruth Baptist, and others. Redruth is in the deep south-­west of Cornwall, some 300 miles from London. 2. The worship had moved on a bit. We had several new songs to learn from the four years we were away in Africa. Brenda helps a local Methodist church by playing their piano for the weekly service. Following cancer of the voice-­‐box operation in 2006 I have very little voice – and being slow to breathe– I cannot join in singing anyway, whether it is musically good or not-so-­good! 3. I am just beginning to minister God’s word again. Our church asked if we would co-­host a fortnightly home group in our own home. We presently squeeze in up to sixteen people every other Thursday morning! We spill over between dining room, sun-­lounge and kitchen! 4. Hot drinks are always on hand. In Sudan water was essential to refresh people. In Cornwall it is usually tea, coffee or hot chocolate. When you are uprooted, quickly find a welcome where you can worship God, sitting under HIS word for spiritual refreshment. And always be ready to help others with your welcome to them.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. Jesus said: “Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is (the meaning of) Moses’ teaching and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12, God's Word translation 1995. It is easy enough to obey these words of Jesus when we think about inviting friends out for coffee or other refreshments. It becomes much more difficult when we think about becoming friends with those who may have killed our close relatives, people we may have grown up believing to be our enemies. Jesus was talking to His disciples, to those who were disciplined in their lives, learning to live the way their Master, Jesus, wanted them to live (Matthew 5:1-2). He had already spoken about people becoming spiritual peacemakers by concentrating more on heaven than on earth for rewards (Matthew 5:3-12). Next Jesus taught about the immense value – and considerable influence on all around – in being able to live an attractively different lifestyle from the surrounding community of ordinary people (Matthew 5:13-16). There follows a deep searching of life’s values, about right living and the Old Testament Law (Matthew 5:17-20), about anger and murder, both very relevant to the question above: how can we forgive those who have hurt us so badly? (Matthew 5:21-26). Jesus gives five examples of the toughness and right choices needed to keep His sharpening the application of the Old TestamentLaws, applying to sexual fidelity (Matthew 5:27-39), the breakdown of marriage (Matthew 5:31-32), always speaking the truth (Matthew 5:33-37), and loving, especially loving your enemies. Once more this last one is especially relevant to Jesus’ words above (Matthew 5:43-48). In the section before our text above Jesus alternates between teaching on personal prayer and stewardship of money (Matthew 6:1-34). He pointedly turns towards how wrong we are to set ourselves up as judge and jury on others, for their wrongs, while not being aware of our own awful wrongdoings before the holy God (Matthew 7:1-6). Finally Jesus arrives at these words above, after encouraging us to pray about things, seeking God’s will, and knowing beyond doubt that God will give the right answer, even if it not the one we might first choose for ourselves! (Matthew 7:7-11). Jesus’ summary challenge to us is (Matthew 7:12) - read the verse at the top above. Or, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31, from similar verses 20-49, NIV). July 2012.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. I used to enjoy times of Bible discussion when I attended many Bible conferences in Sudan, between 10 and 30 years ago: FOCUS, Repairers/Faith Inst. (Mufid Farid), Wells of Salvation (Mourice Moussa), SIM Arabic Ministries (the late Alfred William Mussad), KEC (Sharief Ramsis), SPEC (Nagi Konagi), Gereif Bible School. The list goes on. I found it stimulating to ask, and to be asked, questions about the Bible and its meaning for today: “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Psalm 1:1-­‐3, (New Living Translation). Trees Most, if not all, of us see trees every day we live. As well as giving us shade, fruits or medicinal leaves in due season, possibly saleable wood for manufacturing or at least burning, and being a great object for children (especially boys?) to climb, these trees are an illustration given us by God. Trees show us what every Christian life should be like. Our text begins with what we should not be like. Do not listen to those who only follow the wisdom of the world. It has its own value, but not taken just by itself. It must always be tested by God’s words in Scripture. Do not be influenced by those who are godless in their decision making. Do not be aligned with those who privately or publicly scorn Jesus Christ and Christianity. Politely and graciously decline any involvement with them. Instead, we must be those who study to discover God’s will and God’s ways for us to make all of life’s major decisions. Reading and sharing the meaning and application of God’s word to today’s life, is God’s way to run a country, God’s way to lead a local Christian church, God’s way to be head of a Christian family, and God’s way to play your part in influencing your wider community. Jesus said: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock”, Matthew 7:24. August 2012.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us”. 2 Corinthians 4:7. Clay pots get a lot of use throughout Sudan and South Sudan. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are ornately decorated, others plain and simple. Uses vary from keeping water cool and clean, to container-­growing flowers or food in soil. Paul urges the Christians in Corinth not to worry about the hardships they face nor the hard times they are living in. His own physical conditions were so bad they made him want to be in heaven rather than remain on earth, 2 Corinthians 5:7-­9. (I know that feeling!). He writes from chapter 3:7 to 5:11 about the glory of the Christian message (find it some 16 times in this passage). Messengers may show wear & tear, but the gospel message still shines clear – just like cool refreshing water can even come from a tatty old clay pot. All true Christians are being gradually changed, becoming more and more like the Lord Jesus, 3:18. The treasured ministry Christians have is enough to make us persevere through the toughest times, 4:1,7. Solid Christians share a simple and straightforward gospel message, without twisting it to make it appeal any more to people. They need it as it truly is, 4:2-­‐3. Dark spiritual forces close minds to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. By us sharing our good news with those who will listen, God miraculously opens eyes, making hearts that can see, 4:3-­‐6. Only Christians have “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of (Jesus) Christ”, 4:6. As long as we stay useful to our Master, He will use us. No matter our outward appearance, God knows the people He can safely trust with His work. Christ’s life comes into our mortal bodies, 4:10-­‐11. Water pots like those above are a common sight. People trying to merit their salvation by works of charity put some out. Christians know this is not necessary. Jesus’ meritorious work is more than enough for our salvation. Going about your daily tasks, when you see clay pots, remember the text above. A clear gospel message can come powerfully from the oldest and the ugliest Christian witness! God will do it. September 2012.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. Eating together has always been a sign of friendship between people. Foule and bread at fatur, shared from a single dish in Sudan, have been enjoyed in Khartoum across tribal, cultural, economic, religious and other boundaries. Since we Christians claim to be God’s friends it is reasonable to ask two things: 1. “When did we last share a meal for Jesus Christ?” 2. “When did we last eat a meal with Him? Let’s agree this has nothing to do with the kind of food we are eating. On my travels in Sudan I have enjoyed a variety of foods from locusts to um ali, from injerra and wads, to goat stew with kisera, pigeons and perhaps some aseeda, with karkedeh to finish with. I must be honest and say I prefer some food to others, but I am grateful to have anything to eat, being aware of so many starving people. Just last week I was directly in touch with suffering people, most without enough to eat, living in a Sudanese mountain region. Starvation still goes on today. Sadly it is largely man–made of course. I was blessed in knowing that immediately a little money was shared with these folk to buy relief supplies. Often I am aware that this happens without regard for tribal, cultural, religious or other boundaries. People around where I live in England help others through my friends in Sudan, because they want to express the love Jesus Christ has for everybody. 1. When did you last share a meal for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom? Perhaps the reason Christians do not always share with others as they should is because they do not eat their own meals often enough with God? It is always good to begin meals with prayed thanksgiving to God. Then, as food is eaten, whether men in one room and women with children in another, or whatever your customs dictate, think about those God would have you reach out to using the simple tools of a little food and drink. Plan to reach someone this week. 2. When did you last have a meal with God uppermost in your thoughts? Remember, people askedJesus’ disciples: “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”, Matthew 9:11. November 2012.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. The Wise Men visited Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus some time up to eighteen months from his birth (Matthew 2:1-­‐2). After travelling from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, I notice the Wise Men worshipped Jesus in “the house”, not in the stable (2:11). God led them not to return to King Herod, saying “go home by a different route”. What happened next was (and is) a terrible tragedy. God knew the King would use all his powers to kill the baby Jesus. He warned Joseph and Mary to flee into Egypt until he himself would tell them it was safe to move home (Matthew 2:13, 19-­‐20). So far so good. In verse8 Herod said he wanted to worship Jesus, but his true desire is betrayed by his viciously hot temper. Read what verse 16 says: “When Herod realised that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were 2 years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi”. Tens of boys were mercilessly slain. History says perhaps up to 50-­100 at most. Bethlehem was only a small village. But the fact these were innocent babies shows the vileness in the heart of a man who was jealous for his own throne. Sadly the killing of children still happens in Sudan today. God knew this would happen to Jesus! Two Bible prophecies are quoted in this passage, Hosea 11:1 and Jeremiah 31:15. God knew ahead that he would call Jesus’ family out from Egypt, and he knew beforehand there would be uncontrollable mourning and weeping from mothers who lost their young children. In any tragedy remember: (1) God knows all about it, beforehand, during and afterwards. (2) God will use it to bring about a purpose far greater than we can ever imagine, for everyone involved. Those boys died so that the Saviour Jesus could live – and later Jesus would die for the entire human race! God’s mercy saved those boys from the many hardships of a growing life and took them straight into his own heavenly presence. The parents’ grief could be tempered when they realised they would meet again joyfully one day. By the way, Herod died in 4BC which tells us that the date for Jesus’ birth must have been some 2 years before that, at 6 or 7BC. Kepler’s astronomical calculations were not made until many centuries later. December 2012.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. Why is your Bible like a mosquito net? Read on for an answer!! I was blessed by God to be in Khartoum when the Mabaan translation of the Bible book “Genesis” was completed and released for people to read. I gave a short talk on the value of the Bible to the Christian life. It was well worth the price for showing the believer how to live right as a Christian should. It is the best manual for Christian discipleship. The likeness between the Bible and a mosquito net can be easily seen! Have you got it ? Reading God’s word, and then living the way it teaches, makes for a good Christian. It protects today’s Christian from the bad things of modern life. “How can a young man (or woman) keep his (or her) way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden you word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord; you teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word”. Psalm 119:9-­16. Knowing what God says about any subject, will help stop you from making wrong choices. Read again what the Psalmist thought about God’s word (above) . It is true, whatever the language! January 2013.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and 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”. Matthew5:10-­‐12 My friend Thomas works for the Evangelical Church in Sudan, visiting prisons and prisoners. Most prisoners he met ten years ago when I was in Khartoum with him were in prison because they had broken the law and deserved their sentences given by the Law Court judges. May be a few were there because they were being challenged by the authorities about their following of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is this that we rightly call “persecution”. To “persecute” means, “to oppress, harass, or maltreat, especially because of race or religion”. It means, “to bother persistently”.1 The natural, human response to being treated this way is to want to retaliate – to give back as good as you have got! Our Lord Jesus said that He does not wantHis followers to fight back in the same way worldly people do. From these verses I see three helps towards a right response. 1. Look towards heaven and away from earth. Christians are heavenly people. More than any tribal loyalties, Sudanese Christians have a loyalty to their heavenly identity document or passport. We are citizens of heaven living on African earth. 2. Be confidently happy in your Lord Jesus. Think about the pain He went through in order to achieve your salvation. He suffered for you. Now you are suffering a little – or even a lot – for Him. Compared to eternity this little bit of time, weeks, months, even years, will be very small. It is right to long for Jesus’ return to bring this suffering to an end. 3. Think about your heavenly reward. This is not speaking about salvation, which is already ours. This is extra. A “reward” is “something given in return for a deed or for service given”. Incredibly, in the next life, the real life, our Lord Jesus will reward us. We do not deserve anything, but from His grace we will receive what He feels we should have. So, worship Him now, and say a big “Thank you”. He deserves it. 1 Collins English Dictionary (HarperCollins: Glasgow)1994. March 2013.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. The first Easter, and the few weeks which followed it, were a time of special growth and wonder for the Christian church. The wonder was that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead. The growth came in the number of people who believed this to be true. Reading the early chapters of Acts we understand how the persecuted Christians scattered to towns and villages well beyond the capital, Jerusalem. Acts 4:18-­37; 5:17-­32; 8:1-­3. It appears that almost everywhere they went they spoke to people about the events in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some of those people who listened joined them as believers. Acts 8:4-­7; 9:1-­2; 11:19-­21. One thing is missing from the story of Acts. We do not read of the early disciples constructing special buildings for their Christian meetings. They used existing public halls, larger private houses, and open air places of community gatherings. In Sudan today Christians must beware of the danger of rushing to build church buildings. Paul, Peter and John, in their letters preserved in our Bibles, do not ask for funds for buildings of mud bricks with mortar, nor of steel nor – for that matter – of simple wood and straw. They concentrated on building up and strengthening Christians. These apostles realised that Christian men and women, who know how to live “the Jesus way” in a world that goes in the opposite direction, ultimately build a strong church. Ephesians 1:15-­23; Philippians 1:3-­14; Colossians 1:3-­14; 1 Peter 1:3-­8; 1 John 2:1-­2. When Peter first recognised Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus replied to him: “On this rock I will build my church”, Matthew 16:16-­‐18. And today He still does. April/May 2013.

Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life. People say that religion is the cause of so much suffering the world over. I understand what they mean, but I have a question to ask these people. “Is everything done in the name of a religion, done in the spirit of that religion?” For example, the spirit of Christianity is explained in the New Testament, the book of Romans 12:9-­21. Having first said that Christians who appreciate God’s mercy towards themselves should “offer (their) bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (12:1), and continued by saying Christians should “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of (their) mind(s)” (12:2), here in Romans 12:9-­21 the Christian teacher opens up the meaning of this sacrificial, holy and transformational living. We could sum it up by four words, “be different” “be Christlike”. Test yourself against my understandings of this Scripture Romans 12:9-21. Show in your actions that you really mean what you say in your words(9). Love other people very much indeed (10). Let your strong Christian beliefs control all of your behaviour (11). Fix your eyes and heart on heaven; keep your feet firmly on the ground (12) Use what God has given you to show generous friendship to the poor (13) Ask God’s favour on those who offend you, do not be unpleasant to them (14). Celebrate the ups and downs of life with all people around you (15) Work in a friendly, peaceful way, showing you are no better than others (16) Do not give back bad deeds; let all actions positively commend JesusChrist (17) Do not encourage fighting between any groups of people (18) Do not hurt someone else because they have hurt you. Let God be the Judge (19) Treat your enemy as you would treat your friend. God will give justice (20) Always try to win your enemy for Christ. He/she can still be saved from God’s wrath. Deal with this problem Christianly or it will destroy your testimony (21) The spirit of Christianity is the spirit of Jesus Christ. Like him, many Christians have spent their lives relieving suffering and promoting reconciliation between warring people groups. I know some mistakes are made! But, please judge Christianity by our Founder rather than by his followers. June 2013.