Fulwood Free Methodist Church

Talks Series - May-June 2018

GO DEEPER - 1 JOHN
Sunday Mornings – 27th May to 24th June 2018
“Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink
into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will
live deeply in both Son and Father.” 1 John 2 v 24-25
Deep-sea diving is the act of descending into deep water and remaining
there for an extended period. It is used, for example, in fishing for exotic
sponges, coral, and pearls that could not be caught by other means; in
examining and repairing the underwater parts of ships that cannot be
reached in other ways; and in recovering valuables from sunken ships that
would otherwise be undiscovered. With this in mind, we have selected five
topics under the overriding theme of “Go Deeper”. So much in today’s
society appears superficial and “shallow”. “Deep” implies something has
substance, is profound and enduring. There are truths that God reveals when
we “go deep” into his Word; 1 John encourages and exhorts us to go deeper
in Christ to catch and discover amazing truths we would otherwise miss.

LARGER THAN LIFE - ELIJAH AND ELISHA

Sunday Evenings - 27th May to 24th June 2018
The Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Kings introduce us to two extraordinary
Men of God; Elijah and Elisha. They were voices for God in a divided nation
led by largely ungodly Rulers and their stories challenge us about the way we
live in our own divided and post-Christian society.
27th May 2018
Morning: Deeper Joy | 1 John 1:1-4
Dave Sewell
It is likely that this letter was written some 50 years after Jesus’
ministry. Not many would still be alive who encountered Jesus
physically. Just as today, doubts were creeping in- did the
crucifixion and resurrection really happen? Is it all true? John wants
to make it clear from the start – 1 John 1 begins with making
absolutely clear that Jesus Christ existed.
Evening: “In the name of the Lord whom I serve, I tell you…” | 1 Kings 17:1-24
Andrew Gardner
Elijah arrives on the scene - speaking truth to power and watching
God get to work. God takes care of His messengers when they take
big risks for Him.
3rd June 2018
Morning: Deeper Walk | 1 John 1:5-11; 2:3-6, 9-11; 3:7-10
Jason Buckler
These verses outline a very clear point – if you want a deeper walk
with God, stop sinning. If you call yourself a Christian, John says,
start living like one. If you want to know someone is a Christian,
don’t ask them what they believe, look at how they live. John says
that if they claim to be a Christian but don’t do what Christ says,
they are a liar- pretty harsh language! Have we lost this view in
today’s church?
Evening: “…So that this people will know that you, the Lord, are God!”
1 Kings 18:17-46
Dave Sewell
This week we look at Elijah’s epic battle with the Priests of Baal (850
to 1? - no problem!). Elijah takes big risks again – but with amazing
results!
10th June 2018
Morning: Deeper Knowledge | 1 John 3
Ian Higginbotham
If we are to go deeper in our faith in Christ, we should not ignore
the fact that false teaching was present in the early church and
continues through to the present day. John tackled the “Gnasty
Gnostics”, who believed that understanding of God came from
some sort of mystical and private spiritual knowledge which was on
a different level to ordinary day to day life. Their teaching had
huge significance, and wrecked people’s walk with Jesus.
Evening: “What are you doing here Elijah?” | 1 Kings 19:1–21
Andrew Gardner
After all the excitement and evidence of God’s power on Mount
Carmel – Elijah is in Rehab. We see how God works in power when
we are at our weakest.
17th June 2018
Morning: Deeper Love | 1 John 2:18-28, 4:1-6
Andrew Gardner
Think for a moment about the apostle John himself. In his gospel, he
quotes Jesus as saying “By this will all people know you are my
disciples that you love one another” while John myself was called
the “apostle of love”. John is pretty clear here what we should love
but also what we shouldn’t – both are important if we are to go
deeper in our Christian experience. "I Want to Know What Love Is" is
a power ballad by the British-American rock band Foreigner – 1
John addresses this head on and leaves us in no doubt.
Evening: “Now I know that there is no God but the God of Israel!” |
2 Kings 5:1-27
Rebecca Parkinson
Elisha the Prophet in action! Naaman is cured but Gehazi makes a
terrible mistake. We do not necessarily have to be powerful leaders
to make an impact for God’s Kingdom.
24th June 2018
Morning: Deeper Certainty | 1 John 5 v1-15
Ian Clarkson
How can you be confident that “you are saved”? Do many people
repeat “the sinners prayer” as they lack the confidence that “once
you are saved, you always saved”? John’s words here offer
certainty – he wants his readers to know that if you believe in the
name of Jesus, you will have eternal life.
Evening: ”Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” | 2 Kings 6:8-23
Andrew Gardner
A glimpse into Elisha’s supernatural world! God has made
tremendous spiritual resources available to us if we can recognise
and use them.

Fulwood Free Methodist Church, Lightfoot Lane, Preston

www.fulwoodfmc.net