Third Week in Wales

          It is strange to say that my third week in Wales has now passed, because it feels like I have been here a good bit longer.  I really feel like I am starting to adjust to the culture and people here, and have begun to find a good day-to-day rhythm.  Let me share a few things that have been happening this past week, and then some thoughts from my upcoming sermon at Newport Church of Christ this Sunday.
          This past week has been filled with visitors.  Last Wednesday (4/23) the Sharoon siblings came and stayed the night with us again which was great fun.  The next day we had lunch with them and then went with

Ken and Annette to visit Newport's own "country estate" called Tredegar House (pronounced Tre-deee-gar).  It is an old and unique mansion built for what was once the most powerful family in Monmouthshire (Newport area), the Morgan family (Baron and Baroness Tredegar).  It is now run by the National Trust and some of it's old lands have been turned into a city park.  Then on Friday through Sunday we had another family come stay with us.  This family is from El Salvador and has been living in the UK for 3-4 months seeking asylum.  They were worshiping with the Church in Newport up until recently (even though they speak little English) when the "powers that be" moved them to Plymouth as they await immigration hearings.  It was good to meet them and their 7 year old son.  It also gave me a chance to practice my neglected Spanish.  Then this past Sunday there was a great gathering of people from Church at the Winstanley's house for an afternoon meal (this was only after my impromptu song leading at church that morning).  We had 15 people in all I believe, including a couple from the Bristol Church of Christ who were visiting (Robert and Leanne Daniel).  We literally spent the entire day eating, talking, playing games, eating some more, and talking some

more.  I had some really great conversations and learned a lot from the people who were there.  It was a very good weekend.
         I've posted more pictures recently on my Facebook and the Facebook group "Serving Jesus In Newport, Wales" if you'd like to see more of what is going on.  There are pictures of Tredegar House, a Saturday trip into Cardiff City Centre, and some pictures of the Wales Coast Path which I have been enjoying since I got here.
         Now about this sermon on Sunday.  As many of you know, I have not preached much in my life and still have a lot to learn (including better presentation and how to keep my sermons concise).  However, the sermon this week is not just important so that I can learn how to preach better, but because of the topic I'm preaching on: "What is the Gospel?"  While this feels like it ought to be a "no brainer" for Christians, I'm not so sure.  I know for myself that even though I have grown up in church and understand the theoretical principles of the Gospel, I know I still have a lot to learn about the reality of it.  At the same time, many within the Church may "understand" the Gospel, but they may not comprehend the Gospel's place in who we are (i.e. the Gospel's centrality to our salvation, identity, life, and mission/purpose, both individually and collectively).  Still further, sometimes it is just good to be reminded of what you think you already know.  Paul said in 1st Corinthians 1:17: "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel---not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be

emptied of its power."
         So what is the Gospel?  There's an awful lot that could be said about the Gospel, but there are three main things I hoping to share this Sunday: 1)The Reality of Our Rebellion; 2)The Response of the Father (God); and 3)The Redemption through the Messiah.  I am planning to draw these thoughts from two main passages: Luke 15:11-32 (The Prodigal Sons) and Isaiah 53:1-6 (The Suffering Servant).  The Gospel is woven throughout Scripture, but I think these two passages will help me stay focused and communicate clearly and succinctly.  The Gospel is good news for all, especially because it meets us in the midst of the bad news of "things as they are".  It says that God's heart for us is love, not judgment.  It says that salvation and that real justification is found in Jesus, not in ourselves or anything our society says.  Finally, it says that Jesus takes our iniquities and our wickedness on Himself, giving us new, resurrection life in Him.  There is so much more I'd like to explore with the Church in Newport about the Gospel (and continue to explore myself about it), but I hope this will be a good starting place.  Please pray for me as I share this Sunday that God would be able to speak through me and speak to the hearts of those who are present by His Spirit.  And please continue to pray for me as I seek God's will and work while I'm here.  Thanks!