Summer School

Over the last week I have been at the CMS summer school.
This year is my 3rd summer school and I have to say that just as the previous summer schools, it has been alot of fun.
The talks this year were given by William Taylor and I have to say that they have been possibly the best so far.
William spoke on the gospel of Matthew. He particularly focused on chapters 8-13. The focus of the week was understanding the times in which we live.
William showed us the way in which the gospel of Matthew is so well ordered in it's argument.
Matthew 8:1-22 was on sin, God's judgement and the shadow of death, Jesus God's King and the reversal of death, and The cross, Jesus death and the payment of death.
Mathew 8:23-9:13 was on faith, not fear, people not pigs, sin not sickness and 'sick' not well.
Matthew 9:14-10:15 was on Times of clear headed Kingdom conviction, Times of gut-wrenching Kingdom compassion, Times of earnest prayer, and Times of sustained public proclamation.
Matthew 10:16-33 was on Unprrovoked persecution and heavenly provision, and Ruined reputation and heavenly recognition.
Matthew 10:34-42 was on the 'ties' of the kingdom. A change in family relations, As a result of a change in family values, bringing a change in family fortunes.
Matthew 13:1-33 was on the advance of the kingdom by God's initiative, with God's judgement, through God's word, with mixed results. In God's power, with hidden force.
Matthew 13: 31-52 was on The advance of the kingdom, alongside the enduring presence of evil, with deliberate delay and decisive decision. This is with joyful 'inexplicable' investment.

We learned that Matthew's gospel is extremely organised and that the order of each chapter is deliberate and focused.

In point form, the main things I got from the talks were:
- There will be no golden age where Christians are well respected and valued
- Jesus spoke and things happened just as the father in creation
- the structure of Matthew's gospel in these chapters is narrative then discourse, then narrative
- the 'sticking plaster' solutions of this world will never solve anything
- Jesus has 'come early' to save sinners from the coming judgement.
- for a brief moment heaven came to earth in Jesus.
- now is not the time for finger wagging moral high-horsemanship.
- we need to pray. ALOT!!!
- we are living in non-normal times in the western world
- we are to expect alot of persecution.
- we are to recieve a royal recognition in heaven
- Jesus spoke in parables so that people would have to come to Him to seek the answers.
- dont be discouraged by the different soils in the parable of the sower.
- we are told the parable of the sower so not to be discouraged.
- compare Jesus' kingdom to the kingdoms of the day. Where is the Roman empire now? etc?
- there will always be evil in the world this side of Jesus' return.
- Jesus return is deliberately delayed so that more people may turn to Him.

Although summer school is much more than this, I thought I would share with you what I was reminded of. What I enjoyed and not so enjoyed I will write about later.
Stu