Seven Evidences of Christ’s Resurrection!

The significance of Easter is often overlooked or distorted. All too often, Easter Sunday is more of a “coming out” ritual, a part of the celebration of the commencement of Spring, than it is an observance and celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. Once a year church attenders can show up to shock the preacher, and to give him his annual “shot” at them as they attend. Do you really trust the fact that Jesus rose from the dead! Here are seven evidences of it: 

Life-Giving Words From a Loving Saviour!

Jesus has just endured a horrible night. He has been unemotionally betrayed by one disciple and forsaken by all the rest. He has been unjustly arrested and charged. He has been inhumanely tortured and unceasingly mocked. He has been inequitably traded like so much merchandise for a common murderer. Finally, he has been unconscionably condemned to crucifixion. The account in Luke 23:26-31 teaches us that Jesus extends mercy to those who are unmerciful. As we celebrate Easter this year, we reflect on the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is a reminder of the importance of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without Him, none of this would be possible. 

God And Your work – Word For Today

‘I have chosen Bezalel.’ Exodus 31:2 NIV

"Every occupation has its own honor before God. Ordinary work is a divine vocation or calling." - Martin Luther.

The first person in the Bible who was said to be ‘filled with the Spirit of God’ was Bezalel. And if his name doesn’t ring a bell, it’s because he wasn’t a prophet, priest, king, or apostle. He was a craftsman, skilled in design. He had an eye for colour and a flair for management, and when it came time for building the tabernacle, he oversaw the job. Here is what God said about him: ‘I have chosen Bezalel…and…filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts’ (Exodus 31:2-5 NIV).

Part 2: Using Sex as a Weapon!

Sexuality is a wonderful part of our humanness, yet its importance in the success of a relationship is often overlooked or simply avoided. In the months and years leading up to marriage, a couple’s sex life can be hot and steamy, adding a heady level of passion to the relationship. Over time, long term damage can result by oversight and neglect. When sex is used to make war rather than to make love, the effects can be devastating. On a neurobiological level alone, the body is deprived of the truly positive effects of several neurochemicals, including the bond-building oxytocin. Instead, negative sexual war tactics build levels of stress-related neurochemicals, such as adrenaline and cortisol.

Word For Today: You Have Only Two Options: Forgiveness or Bitterness

The Bible says, ‘Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him…“up to seventy times seven”’ (Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV). Seventy times seven equals 490 times. And it’s your ‘brother’, someone you have to live or work with, whom you’re called to forgive. In essence Jesus was saying, ‘Forgive, and keep on forgiving if you want to have a relationship with this person.’

Part 1: Using Sex as a Weapon!

Sex is the greatest gift of marriage; it is meant to be enjoyed, cherished, featured, and respected. It is what makes marriage unique among all other relationships—best friends with benefits—for life! Using sex as a weapon turns intimacy into warfare. In seeking “to win,” both men and women will lose. Trying to manipulate your partner will only drive the partner away. Using sex as a weapon is the primary cause of sexual dysfunction within marriage and both men and women are guilty of doing so. If not addressed, often leads to divorce.

Living a Life Worthy of Christ’s Calling?

When Jesus saved us, he didn’t just save us for heaven. He saved us to live for him, to do works in his name, to rule with him, and many other things. Much of the teaching in the first half of Ephesians is about our calling. We were elected and predestined before time, redeemed, and forgiven. We were dead in our transgressions and sins, but now, we have been raised and seated with Christ in heavenly places. How can we live in a manner worthy of all Christ did for us?

God’s Plan for Sexual Intimacy In Marriage!

“Would you rather be single and lonely or married and bored?” So asks one well-known comedian. From the world’s perspective, these are the choices when it comes to marriage and relationships. This suggests that the way to avoid both loneliness and boredom is to date but never commit to marriage. Sounds descriptive of our culture, doesn’t it?

Our culture glorifies sex outside of marriage, making it the “human experience.” However the church can go the opposite pathway of disparaging sex altogether.

Reasons Sex Is Important in Marriage!

The best thing about marriage is having a long-lasting shared attraction for one another. Sex is among the ways couples can be vulnerable and comfortable with one another.

Sold Out To The Gospel?

The word 'Gospel' comes from a Greek word euangelion, which literally means “good news.” What does it mean to be really sold out to the gospel? To be willing to give your life for the gospel. (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

Word For Today - Three Things A Leader Shouldn’t Do!

President Eisenhower once said, ‘Pull the string, and it will follow you wherever you wish. Push it, and it will go nowhere.’ As a leader, here are three things you shouldn’t do:

Word For Today - It’s Time To End The Standoff!

God created us to enjoy unbroken fellowship with Him and each other. That’s why Satan’s first ploy was to separate us from God – and from each other. Using things like pride, stubbornness, confusion, resentment, and selfishness, he drives wedges and polarises relationships. What starts out as a misunderstanding often ends in angry stand-offs or toxic silences that last for hours, days, and sometimes years.

Word For Today - The Resurrection Calls For A Decision!

‘Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time…Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all…I also saw him’ (1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NLT).

Word For Today - Learning To Confront!

We don’t enjoy confrontation, but it’s impossible to grow without it. Healthy confrontation calls for ‘speaking the truth in love’ (Ephesians 4:15 NIV) to those we value. Healthy confrontation calls for putting the other person’s well-being above your own interests. So how do you confront someone in the right way? By doing these three things:

Word For Today - Make Criticism Work For You!

There are two kinds of criticism:

1) Unfair criticism. There’ll always be people who love to rain on your parade; people who try to build themselves up by tearing others down. Mark Twain said, ‘Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.’

God's Plan of Salvation!

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life. – (1 John 5:11-12).

Focus On What Is Good - Word For Today

Let’s face it, we don’t have to look very far to find things to complain about. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Paradise where they had everything they needed to be happy. But what did they focus on? The one tree they couldn’t have!

Part I: The Role of Politics in the Church!

Our church is experiencing a great deal of polarization, and even heated debate, over matters of politics. What does the Bible say to the church, and to the individual Christian, about the role of politics in the church?

Word For Today - Fishing Lessons!

God is interested in your success. Peter knew Jesus was a great teacher and that He could even heal the sick. What he was about to learn, however, was that Jesus wants you to succeed in your career. Peter probably had the best nets, owned a good boat, and knew exactly where to catch the most fish. And his income depended on a good catch. 

Why Bad News Dominates The Headlines!

                                 
Why are newspapers and TV broadcasts filled with disaster, corruption and incompetence? It may be because we’re drawn to depressing stories without realising, says psychologist Tom Stafford.

When you read the news, sometimes it can feel like the only things reported are terrible, depressing events. Why does the media concentrate on the bad things in life, rather than the good? And what might this depressing slant say about us, the audience?

How To Recognize False Teachers!

“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves. You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.
Matthew 7:15-20 (NET)

UK Clocks Go Forward Today!

The time has nearly come for us to turn our clocks forward – if you are working this weekend or going to Church, make sure you don’t get caught out by the change. This means at 1am on Sunday, the time will automatically change to 2am.
Once it is complete, we will be back in British Summer Time – and the days are already lighter, now that it’s officially spring.
Thanks to a man called William Willett, who suggested daylight savings time to avoid time being wasted in the mornings, we now fiddle with our clocks every March and October.

Grace Church Manchester - Online Service

Grace Church is a diverse and growing church that serves urban South Manchester. We love the city and the people in it. Most of all we love Jesus and the message He taught. We’re not able to meet in person but we are still meeting online!

Join us for our live streamed services every Sunday at 10:30am (GMT)

VIEW LIVE STREAM

If you can't see the live stream, go to our YouTube Channel

For more information please visit Grace Church Manchester

2020/2021 PTDF Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme In UK

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the Federal Government agency with the mandate of developing indigenous human capacity and petroleum technology to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry, invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships to institutions under its UK strategic partnership initiative. Successful candidates will be awarded scholarships to study in UK commencing in the 2020/2021 academic session.

The Gifts of Christmas

Christmas is hard work and expensive! We celebrate Christmas because it is tradition and part of our culture. God doesn’t command it, nor do we earn brownie points for doing so. Is it really worth the trouble?

Pull Down That Stronghold! - Word For Today

‘The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.’ 2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

Step Back And See The Bigger Picture! - Word For Today

‘A great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’ 1 Corinthians 16:9 NKJV

‘Do Right…Love Mercy…Walk Humbly’ - Word For Today

‘What does the LORD require of you? To act justly…love mercy and…walk humbly with your God.’ Micah 6:8 NIV

You’ll Be Rewarded! - Word For Today

‘Your labour is not in vain.’ 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

It’s easy to forget that this world isn’t your home, that you’re going to spend eternity with Christ in a home specially prepared for you, and when you get to heaven you’ll be rewarded for how well you fulfilled your God-given assignment here on earth. The Bible not only teaches this, it spells out the specifics. Here are three you need to keep in mind.

God’s Remedy For Depression! - Word For Today

‘Why, my soul, are you downcast?’ Psalm 43:5 NIVUK

When The Family Shatters! - Word For Today

‘Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.’ Colossians 3:13 MSG
When divorce shatters your family, how can you help your children? First, stop talking about who doesn’t accept them, and surround them with people who do. As a parent your love can go a long way towards compensating for another’s neglect. Explain that sometimes people grow together, other times they grow apart.

How To Prepare A Good Sermon!

The answer to this questions should begin, in my opinion, with one’s philosophy of what constitutes good Bible exposition. Many believe in very shallow exposition where they simply seek to preach the big idea and embellish it with a lot of stories, illustration, humor, and devote a great deal of time to application. An occasional story or illustration and natural humor are fine, as long as this is kept to a minimum. We want our hearers to apply the truth to their lives, but many times when application is the emphasis it borders on heresy and manipulation.

Understanding your desires [3] - Word For Today

‘Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good.’ Psalm 34:8 NKJV

Check your attitude! - Word For Today

‘You must have the same attitude that…Jesus had.’ Philippians 2:5 NLT

How Satan tempts us! - Word For Today

‘He will show you how to escape from your temptations.’ 1 Corinthians 10:13 CEV

Have You Been Treated Badly? - Word For Today

‘My…witnesses have always been treated like this.’ Luke 6:23 MSG

Pray for ‘wisdom from above’ - Word For Today

‘The wisdom from above is…peace loving.’ James 3:17 NLT

Pray that God will open their heart! - Word For Today

‘As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart.' Acts 16:14 NLT

A prayer for your children! - Word For Today

‘Children are a heritage from the LORD.’ Psalm 127:3 NKJV

Share it with them! - Word For Today

‘Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give…will never thirst.’ John 4:14 NKJV

Keep Calm And Carry On! - Word For Today

‘Continue in the grace of God.’ Acts 13:43 NKJV

Work For Unity - Word For Today

‘Accept other believers who are weak in faith.’ Romans 14:1 NLT

Jesus Is Coming Again! - Word For Today

‘Be ready…the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.’ Matthew 24:44 NIV

Take Control Of Your Mind - Word For Today

‘Whatever things are true…noble…just…pure…lovely… of good report…meditate on these things.’ Philippians 4:8 NKJV

5 Ways To Handle Criticism!

Criticism is an almost daily staple for most leaders. You get everything from side comments, to direct challenges, to people who walk out the door, to anonymous notes sent to you by people with no courage. You dread it. I dread it. Who doesn’t? In fact, it can completely derail your day, your week, and your work. So what do you do when it comes your way?

The Unique Resurrection of Jesus [1] - Word For Today

‘I died, but look – I am alive forever and ever!’ Revelation 1:18 NLT

It takes ‘heart’ - Word For Today

‘The people had a heart…to work.’ Nehemiah 4:6 AMPC

Christianity is NOT Problem-solving

Many conceive of Christianity as another power-bloc that should exert its resources to solving the world's problems. Christianity does not exist to solve all the world's problems, but to manifest the character of Christ in the midst of whatever problems may exist.

The Truth About Submission!

What does submission mean? How inclusive is it? Does it mean that a wife can never disagree, can never have a part in decision making, cannot control the budget, write a cheque, or even have money to spend without accounting for it? Does it mean that a wife obeys her husband in the same way a slave obeys his master, or the way a child obeys his parents? Does it mean that a woman's personality is to be repressed or obliterated, having no valid expression? Is marriage a chain of command?

Deal with your sin! - Word For Today

‘He was manifested to take away our sins.’ 1 John 3:5 KJV