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Last updated 3.45pm Sunday 22 February 2026.
Sunday 22 February 2026
Weekly Sheet
Is available to download (22/02/2026) as are the sermon notes - also repeated below.
3.45pm Audio recordings available.
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Sermon Notes
(Also available to download.)
Love Your Church – Honouring
What do we mean by honour in the context of the church?
· ‘the posture of life that exalts and rejoices over both God and others’
· ‘a lens of looking at God and honouring his glory’
· ‘recognising that glory being woven into each person on account of being made in God’s image (‘imago Dei’)’ (Dwayne Bond)
How do we honour God in the church? By:
Holding a right view of God: ‘I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”’ (Isaiah 6:1-3)
‘And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”’ (Revelation 7:11-12)
‘What comes into our minds when we think of God is the most important thing about us … worship is pure or base as the worshipper entertains high or low thoughts of God … Always the most revealing thing about the church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says, or leaves unsaid’ (AW Tozer – The Knowledge of the Holy)
Recognising and willingly submitting to the authority of God: Because God is sovereign, there is no greater power than him, nothing that comes close to or can exceed his character and nature, therefore, ‘Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God’ (Romans 13:1)
Honouring one another: ‘Outdo one another in showing honour’ (Romans 12:10)
How do we honour one another in the church? By:
Recognising that all are made in the image of God: ‘So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them’ (Genesis 1:27); ‘When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created’ (Genesis 5:1-2)
Following the example of Jesus: After Jesus had
washed the feet of his disciples in the upper room, he said, ‘If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,
you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example,
that you also should do just as I have done to you’ (John 13:14-15) Jesus also said, ‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45)
Honouring in the church is most evidently worked out (or not!) in the relationship that exists (or doesn’t!) between the leadership and the members.
How do we honour leaders in the church?
The church is God’s ‘Plan A’ to fulfil his purposes in the world and leaders are part of that plan. Leaders:
· are God’s gift to the church for the purpose of building up the church and glorifying God.
· serve the ‘Great Shepherd’ as his ‘under shepherds’ serving Christ’s flock.
· like Jesus, know, lead, protect, and feed his sheep.
· are to love the church as Christ loves the church.
· are to be a blessing to God’s people.
· are ultimately accountable to Jesus for their care of his flock. (Hebrews 13:17).
This is why choosing leaders should always be a prayerful and careful task!
All believers are called to honour faithful leaders in the church: ‘We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work’ (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13); ‘Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith … Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account’ (Hebrews 13:7 &17)
1 Peter 5 is helpful in showing how honour is to be practised in the church. Summarising simply:
Leaders, remaining faithful to God are to do all they can to make it easy for the people in the church to follow them – Leaders are to:
· be happy (willing), holy, and humble shepherds. (1 Peter 5:2-3)
· seek only one reward: ‘when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory’. (1 Peter 5:4)
Members, remaining faithful to God are to do all they can to make it easy for leaders in the church to lead – members are to honour faithful leaders by among other things:
· respecting faithful leaders and pastor – ‘Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour’ (1 Timothy 5:17)
· loving your leaders and pastor – ‘esteem them very highly in love because of their work’ (1 Thessalonians 5:13)
· following the example of your leaders and pastor – ‘Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith’ (Hebrews 13:7)
· being a joy to your leaders and pastor – ‘those who spoke to you the word of God’ (Hebrews 13:7)
· praying for your leaders and pastor – ‘You get the leaders that you pray for’ (Dianne Tidball) There is nothing better we can do for the leaders and pastor of our church: ‘My people pray for me’ (CH Spurgeon)
When there is honour in the church, just imagine what is possible!
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Thursday 12 February 2026
Jim Harries - Mid-February News
Read all about Trust and Vulnerability in Taking in Orphans in Jim's latest update which is available to view on-line.
Sunday 8 February 2026
Heating at Church
An issue came to light when the installation engineer did his detailed survey and it became clear that the boiler initially specified was not suitable for our building. An order for a different, suitable, boiler was placed on Friday. Unfortunately, that means it will be a further four weeks, at least, before we will have heating in the church.
In the meantime we will continue to meet in the hall. Zoom will still be available - but not the same immersive experience.
Friday 28 November 2025
Family Slot Video Available
From last week:
Sunday 26 October 2025
Family Slot Video
Apologies to those on Zoom, for the technical problems this morning which meant there was no sound. Please feel free to watch and listen on line using this link.
Sunday 5 October 2025
October-December Newsletter
Is available to download.
Saturday 19 July 2025
Latest Newsletter
The August-September 2025 Newsletter is available to download (link corrected!).
Sunday 6 April 2025
Sarah Craigen Completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon
In Aid of the British Liver Trust
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| Thank you so much to those who donated whatever you can, it has really made a massive difference. |
