This week our our steward Sue Fox introduced Mr Paul Bishop, a local
preacher from Market Drayton Methodist Church. Paul opened the worship
with the popular hymn “Knowing You Jesus There Is No Other Way” written
by Graham Kendrick and accompanied by Jonathan Baddeley at the
keyboard. Paul thanked the congregation for braving the intense rain to
actually be there. He also reminded us the there really is no other way but to
stand in the light of Jesus.
The first reading from Matthew 5:14-19 the gospel writer reminds us that
Jesus said we are the light of the world which echoes the theme of the
Service. The second reading Ephesians 5: 1-17 endorses our need to love
others as God loves us.
Our preacher elaborated on this theme by producing a small bedside light
and placed it in full view the congregation. He then went on to explain that
the bedside light needed electric power to work. The power we require,
however, comes not from the National Grid but from a firmly grounded faith
in Jesus. Light travels fast and far, and can penetrate much darkness. Once
committed to the Lord our light can indeed shine brightly.
Personal testimony of this was presented to us by Nick who came from
Bristol as a visiting guest. Nick was originally christened as a child but who
was not a Christian as such or led a Christian life, but who came to accept
Jesus into his life by circumstances and events seemingly skewed to that
very end. Particularly influential in this process was a book he read by
Wilson Barnabas entitled “The Secret To Divine Healing”. Accordingly he is
now a committed effective evangelising Christian, and was welcomed
warmly by Ashley Methodist Church.
The Light of the World
