believe

What does it mean to be a Christian?

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What does it mean to be a Christian?

Do people call themselves Christian because they keep a set of special convictions? Or do they maintain certain practices that others do not have? Many people are called Christians because they are born in a Christian family, or a Christian culture, or because they maintain a set of rules or practices.

In his letter to the Colossians the apostle Paul touches very different things related to the Christian identity. He explains the change from an old pattern of life toward a new identity in Jesus. This new identity is still rather hidden, but at the same time very promising and hopeful. In the ‘old’ we discover signs of self-centredness, stress and failure, but in the ‘new’ we may welcome something that goes beyond the identity-markers of our culture like work, reputation, nation, family, including. How is this possible?

Explore more about the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of being a Christian, in the church service on 4th of August in the New Church, 12 hrs 30. We read from Paul’s letter to the Colossians chapter 3 verses 1-17.

Pastor Niek Tramper

 

 

 

Amazingly different! Service on Jan. 7 with Potluck Lunch

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Amazingly different!

What characterizes a disciple of Jesus? It is very strange to hear something like this: to be poor in spirit, to mourn, to be meek, or to be persecuted. Indeed completely contrary to core values in our society focusing intellectual achievements, self-development and assertiveness!

Why did Jesus describe his disciples like this? Do we need this kind of people in the church and in our society? The answer may sound astonishing again: more than ever! Hear more about the ‘why’ and about Jesus’ invitation to radical discipleship in the service of ICF Delft on 7 January 2018! This will be the first service in our new series on the ‘Sermon on the Mount’. Join us in the following weeks and discover with us what Jesus calls his disciples to do!

 

ICF Delft Potluck Lunch

After the service we will have a Potluck lunch at the Génestet church Oude Delft 102.
This will work like usual: Everyone brings some food to church, either savoury or sweet, enough for 8-10 people. There are limited warming options in the kitchen (a small microwave, and electric plates).  You could bring, homemade or shop-bought (for example savoury dish, vegetables, rice, bread, cheese, snacks, dessert, biscuits, tart, fresh fruit or vla). Everything is welcome!

Also feel free to invite friends too. If you have non-Christian friends who aren’t ready to attend a church service but who may like to meet some Christians they are welcome to join us after the service. We are looking forward to meet everyone!

Evil in God’s plan?

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Evil in God’s plan?

How can you combine the existence of a God who is almighty and merciful with the reality of evil in this world? It’s an old question and not just a theoretical problem. When people who love God come across sin and suffering – and they often do! – how can they continue to trust God and to hope for the new world that He promised?

We face this question when we read the last chapter of the book of Genesis (50). Joseph meets his brothers after the death of their father Jacob. The brothers are afraid. ‘Now Joseph will take revenge on us for all evil we have done to him.’ But Joseph’s answer is the opposite of what they expect: ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good: the saving of many lives.’

Joseph says that God is able to use evil in His plan, although He doesn’t want it. How is that possible? What, if you face evil (problems, set backs, mistakes and suffering)? Can this have a meaning in your life?

Discover more about how God deals with evil and how we should deal with it! You are most welcome to the ICF Delft church service on Sunday, November 19, at 12:15pm.

We are looking forward to seeing you there! Pastor Niek Tramper

God’s truth about our lives

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Life is full of judgements
Most of us have passed assessments and exams in their life. It means that other people judge the results of our efforts and our capacities. It happens when we go for a swim diploma or a driver’s license, when we apply for a scholarship or a job, when we defend our master or doctoral thesis. In day-to-day life numerous little evaluations and judgments occur. Sometimes they bring us an inconvenient truth, criticizing or rejecting us secretly or even openly. Sometimes we question the authority and capability of the ones who judge us.

Paternal blessing of judgment and promise
What to say about a final judgment of our life? And who actually has authority to do this? Important to know what is the solid ground to pass this final life exam!

When Jacob, the old father of Joseph, is going to die, he speaks his last words for everybody of his sons, including Joseph. We find these words in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, chapter 49. It is nothing less than a prophetic voice speaking God’s truth about their lives. A paternal blessing that includes both judgment and promise.

The two cities
Imagine that we had been there. Imagine that we heard the truth of the eternal God about our life. Should it disclose an inconvenient truth? What actually is a solid reason to expect a hopeful future?

Jacob’s last words reveal the truth of two cities, representing two kingdoms. The one obvious, the other difficult to find. The one brilliant and appealing, the other humble and less attractive at first sight, the one disappearing, the other lasting. The two cities direct the main road in all our lives. God’s truth makes us discern which city harbours a real hopeful future.

Join us in the coming church service, November 12, in ICF Delft, 12:15 pm , Génestet Church, Oude Delft 102.

Taste and see that God is good
In the service we read part of the Bible (this Sunday Genesis 49), and we also celebrate the Holy Communion. The Holy Communion is a special celebration of what Jesus did for us. In HC we receive a piece of bread and a little bit of wine as signs of his broken body and shed blood. All who confess Him as their Saviour and Lord are very welcome to partake. If you are still unsure or searches to know God, you may come for a blessing, and we warmly invite you

Bible Study – Book of Jonah

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You are warmly invited to join our Bible study series on the Book of Jonah.
When: This week, Thursday 09 November, 20.00 – 22.00

Continuing on:
23 November
07 December

Where: The Old Church, Heilige Geestkerkhof 25, 2611 HP, Delft.  We use the side entrance. 
(Please note, this is not the church where we meet on Sundays).

What: We are studying the book of Jonah, one of most well-loved books of the Bible. Many people are familiar with the character of Jonah, his extraordinary experience with a big fish, and the surprising results of his prophetic visit to the city of Nineveh. On the surface, the story is simple and can be easily told to children, yet there is a depth to the story that is nothing short of awesome!

Who: Bob Landon is leading. He has introduced us to the art of “inductive Bible study”. This is a simple step by step method which simply involves asking four questions:  What do we see in the text? How do we understand it? What is the eternal truth of text?  How do we respond to that truth?

He has also been briefly explaining some of the basic elements of Bible narratives (stories). Everyone understands stories, but we are taking a closer look at some parts of Bible stories that will help us see more in the text.

Jonah also includes a short poem. The wonderful thing about Hebrew poetry is that the most important qualities of the poetry can be translated into other languages without hardly losing any of the beauty and meaning. We are learning how to read and appreciate more fully the poetry of the Old Testament in translation.

This is an interactive study, in which everyone has opportunity to discuss what they see in the text and how they understand it. Together we are working toward responding to the truths that are in the Bible.

The study is suitable for a wide variety of people, whether you are new to the faith or are exploring the beliefs of Christianity, or whether you have been a Christian for decades. Indeed, if you have read the story of Jonah countless times and have listened to many sermons from Jonah you might be surprised to find treasures in the text that you had not seen before.

We hope you can join us.

If your family is in trouble…

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Bible text: Genesis 42

If your family is in trouble… it has great impact on your life: disagreement between brothers or sisters, tensions between children and parents. In the Bible we read about the tensions in the family of Jacob. One of his sons is sold by his own brothers as a slave! What went wrong? What does God has to do with it?

Come, listen to the sermon coming Sunday at ICF Delft!

 

God is unstoppable

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So nothing should stop the church from preaching the gospel to the world

In this bible chapter we see how difficulties in Christian life (persecution of the church) can work for the greater good of distributing the gospel. Is Christian faith really that important for your personal life? Can it truly give meaning to your life? Balance your work or study, following the wise lessons of God’s sacred word.

Join us at Sunday July 2 and ask all questions you have to student pastor Solomon Dimitriadis, during the free lunch following our service.

work that is meaningful!

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How can I be sure that my work is meaningful?

Do you believe that your study/work is meaningful? Whether you think about your job, or search for a job, or invest in your family, it is difficult, when you experience hardships, set backs and frustrations! How to be sure that it all makes sense in the end? Can you believe that fruits are lasting? And how to be sure that –after all- death is not the end of everything?

It is important to search for a meaningful life and a transformed world. But what actually are good reasons for it? And there is an important reason for it: The apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians (ch. 15) gives moving arguments how we can be sure that our work is not in vain. The main reason he gives is: the resurrection of Christ from the dead. There are compelling reasons to believe that and if this is true, then there is a real perspective for our life and our work: although we will experience that it is very incomplete, and we had hoped to do much better, it still finds a place in God’s new world, and it will be complete, transformed by his grace!

This is the last sermon in the series ‘Christian@work’. Welcome in the ICF-service, Sunday 30 April, 12.15 hrs in de Génestetchurch, Oude Delft 102.

Cornerstone of Christian faith

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Jesus’ alive – impossible to believe?

How is it possible to believe that somebody rises from the dead? Rationally and scientifically it seems impossible. However, there are many reliable witnesses that Jesus, who gave himself into the cruellest death at the cross, was raised from the dead and is alive indeed. You may trust them: He is a real and trustworthy Savior. He is able to change what nobody can change. How can we believe that He is going to establish his reign of peace in this turbulent and violent world? See, hear reasons to be convinced!

Welcome for celebrating Easter, the festival of the risen Lord! Easter Sunday 16 April, Génestetchurch, 12 hrs 15. Welcome also to invite friends and colleagues to join the service.

Pastor Niek Tramper