The website is here - http://www.focus.org.uk/

Or try clicking on the clip below to see the introductory video

'Fear not, for behold, i bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord'  Luke 2v10

This is still, even for people whose Christmas is clothed in gifts, tinzel, booze and parties, a socially acceptable religious statement that gets under the radar of most people.  Where, during the rest of the year any mention of faith in Jesus Christ, or the need of a Saviour is repulsive to many, at Christmas it somehow gets through.  It is easy for us, as Christians to play on that opportunity - and rightly so.  Be prepared to take every opportunity.  But opportunity to do what?

The thing is, the angels don't just bring any good news.  It is the gospel (literally good news) that they bring and this gospel is of great joy, for all people.  Reflecting on this leads me to 2 observations.

Firstly, how central is the gospel in our thoughts at theis time of year.  i don't mean 'are we seizing the opportunity to share the message of Jesus with people - most churches will be keyed up on that one.  No, the gospel is the arrival of God.  This is the good news.  Christ the Lord is the good news.  Is this season a time where Christ the Lord is at the centre of your mind, heart and affections.  Which leads me to my second observation.

It is great joy!  Over the next couple of weeks, many things will be fun, enjoyable and worth doing.  But what will be our joy?  THe coming of Jesus Christ is great joy!  How are you going to enjoy him over the coming weeks? How is my Christmas going to be marked by Joy in coming of Christ Jesus, rather than just family, friends, food, twinkle, twinkle Christmas Star and some other good things.

I want more than that this year.  I want this year to genuinely be about the good news, the same good news we celebrate and share (hopefully) the rest of the year!

"What is wrong with the world?" - Voddie Baucham Sermon Jam from Wretched Sinner on Vimeo.

1. Philippians 2v13 states (which I was speaking on) that 'God works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure'.  The idea is this - as he works in us (and we work hard to work out our salvation) the things we want will become the things God wants.  His will works through us.  In other words, his will works out through our ambition.  Psalm 20v4 makes the same point - 'May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfil all your plans!'  This only works if our will is moulded by his.
2. Paul speaks of 'pressing on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus' (Phil 3v16).  He has a goal, and so should we.  And it should be a goal that we press on, strain and put effort in to attain.  So often we are so content (a concept Paul speaks of - but in a totally different context!) with where we are that we have no ambition to 'live up to what we have already attained [in Christ]'
3. This ambition works both for out own lives (see above) and the lives of others (Colossians 1v28-29).  How about an ambition that is focussed on presenting others perfect in Christ - and working hard towards that end.
4. The real question is, what am I motivated by.  God is absolutely concerned with the people we are.  His intention is that we 'shine like stars in the universe as we hold out (on to) the word of truth'  (Phil 2v15) If I am also motivated by this concern then ambition is a powerful godly tool to be encouraged, nurtured and engaged with.  The problem with ambition is when our ambitions are less than God's (nice house, decent car, visit Oz etc)

Lets be active in nurturing ambition and vision for our lives, ambition that is godly and Christ centred.  It will lead to joy and rejoicing.

So, what is your ambition?

Motivation is crucial.  What changes peoples behaviour is peoples attitudes and feelings.  What determines what we feel and our attitudes is what we believe.  If I love someone in order to bring about change in them (on the surface looking great) I am in danger of affecting change in behaviour on the outside, which will not affect feelings and attitudes or beliefs.  If I love them because they are made in the image of God and are loveable which leads to spiritual maturity, I have affected something that lasts becasue it springs from faith and belief.  I can not produce in someone else what has not been produced in me.

This is so important and central to our discipleship.  So often we can think about discipleship as projects and programs.  But is it about loving people with the love we have been shown.  It is essentially about relationship.  Maybe our approach to discipleship (and therefore evangelism) needs a rethink...

The responsibility of parenting is huge, as it the responsibility for pastoring.  We could learn from this!

We popped into Mass yesterday evening - the cathedral here in Eger is beautiful, but Eatern European Catholic as you might expect it.  A few people, sung mass in Latin, full gowns and a projected slide machine with the words...(slightly surreal).  We didn't hang around - it felt dark.

I'm looking forward to things reallz kicking off.  Was reading the first few verses of Titus this morning and wa reminded again of Pauls purpose being 'for the sake of the faith of the elect, their knowledge of the truth that accords with godliness and the hope of eternal life.'  Of course the first thing he does in the letter is instruct Titus to appoint elders.  To what end?  To the end alreadz stated, which means our purpose is likewise.  A helpful reminder of our purpose, and a context for the conference.  He goes on in v3 to confrim that this is done through the passing on of the word that is 'preached'.

Their might be some pictures soon...

It has already been good to catch up with a few old friends.  helen Wilcox (was campbell) who first encouraged me into Christian ministry, various people who know my father (as usual) and some old UCCF friends.  John Lennox is doing some morning plenary sessions and other highlights will be the network for discipleship.  Should be good.

Still, for now some clothes would be great!

I don't think we handle this stuff head on enough in church, and many peope seemed to concur.  The text can be found here and we have, for the first time, video'd the talk so it can go online.  Here are a few observations.

1. Tackling what is essentially an intellectual arguement from the platform in a church service needs warmth and application in the delivery.  Obviously all preaching requires thorough application, it just can be a little more difficult in this type of subject.  Getting people into scripture, even though it (humanly speaking) won't scratch where the athiests itch is so important and needs to be done well without withholding your punches, and with integrity.
2. Referencing quotes, and quoting correctly is so important.  Again, this is always important, but the stakes are even higher because the potential audience is more critical than normal.  Integrity will be scrutinised, so being above board in the detail is important.
3. Remember your audience.  We are preaching to a church congregation who are mixed, from a variety of backgrounds and expectations.  It is easy to fall between two audiences; the hardened atheist and the weekly pew attendee and so hitting neither.  In a church congregation setting the primary purpose is to expose God's word before people, that people would desire a fully walk with God and seek to honour him as they know him.  Preparing people for works of service is a, or even the crucial function of a pastor/teacher, and tacking issues like this is certainly that!  But it does mean for some you will be only scratching the surface.  For my atheist friends, the content of the talk yesterday would simply raise a host of topics for potential debate and discussion.  It didn't answer all possible critiques - of course not.  But it did tackle the issue head on for a church congregation audience.
4. Make sure the video DVD is long enough!
5. Think carefully how to invest the time needed into follow up of potential conversations before starting.  Online discussion is an option, hence the importance of putting the video online.

Anyway, a few brief observations on a good morning