Faith

Relationships in work and study – Service on Jan. 28

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Relationships in work and study

Dorothy Sayers wrote in an essay “Why work”: “In nothing has the Church so lost Her hold on reality as in Her failure to understand and respect the secular vocation. (…) How can anyone remain interested in a religion which seems to have no concern with nine-tenths of his life?” The nine-tenth of his life is the secular vocation, the daily work or study.

That is why we pay attention to work and study at ICF, and coming Sunday from the perspective of relationships in work and study. I think we all know how valuable relationships in work and study can be, but also how frustrating relationships can be. We will study this theme mainly from Ephesians 6:5-9, a text about slaves and masters. So, the question is: can we learn anything at all from an old text about slavery for relationships in work and study today?

We look forward to see you and learn more about this in our Service, 12:15pm.

Henk Polinder

Intended for royal duty – Service on Jan. 21

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Intended for royal duty

Who is actually a good person?

When do you consider somebody a good person? Maybe you say: when he or she is honest, sensitive, cooperative, non-judging. We like it when people take responsibility, show love and care for others. But do you think that others see you as a good person? Maybe you have reasons to disagree with them, if they do!
Jesus’ teaching about who is a good (honest, righteous) person shocked the people in his days.

Surpassing goodness

In Jesus’ days rabbis (explainers and teachers of the law) made a lot of study of what it means to live a good life: what to avoid, what to do, how to fulfil your duties. And they practiced what they preached! They were keen on living an upright and holy life. But Jesus shocked the people, in particular his students, by saying: ‘Unless your goodness surpasses that of the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.’

Can you be a good (pure, responsible, righteous) person by ‘keeping to all the rules’? Several of Jesus’ contemporaries thought that they were able to achieve that. But Jesus indicated that they failed, because they missed the most essential in obeying Gods commands: humility and love. The two most important commandments in God’s Kingdom are: ‘Love the Lord, your God, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.’, and: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Love always looks beyond the rules. It acknowledges the ‘spirit of the law’. Love is not satisfied with obeying the rules; rather it seeks to do well.

His law written in our heart

How is this ‘overflowing goodness’ possible? By our own means it is impossible. Who can say: ‘I am able to avoid even the slightest sign of envy, jealousy, bitterness or greed’? It is Jesus who is able to restore the love for God and for our neighbour in our life. He has sacrificed himself for it. If we repent from our old life and believe in him, He has intended us to become citizens in the kingdom of his Father. Not just subjects, even citizens in the position of king and queen! It is an honour and joy to live for Him and to express our love for the people around, because his law is written in our heart. Do you believe that He has destined you for royal duty as well?

Discover and hear more about Jesus’ teaching and why it is relevant for us today! Be welcome on Sunday, January 21!

Taste and see that God is good

In the service we read part of the Bible (this Sunday Matthew 5: 17-37) 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 searching to know God, you may come for a blessing, and we warmly invite you to ask for a personal prayer after the service.

 

Pastor Niek Tramper

“Season with salt and pepper.”

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“Season with salt and pepper.”

You often read this sentence in recipes. Why do you use salt in preparing your food? It adds flavor to the dish. Do you know that Jesus once said “You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13)? 

Who does He have in mind? What does He teach his audience? Can you refuse to be ‘salty’?

Pastor Simon van der Lugt will look with us into Matthew 5:13-16. We want to find out what Jesus meant when he talked about the salt. Therefore come and be welcome on Sunday, January 14, in our church service at ICF Delft. We look forward to seeing you there! 

New series of sermons on Matthew 5 – 7 in ICF-Delft

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An impressive and radical sermon

On Sunday 7 January a new series of sermons starts in ICF-Delft. This series is about an impressive and very radical sermon that Jesus delivered on a hillside about 2000 years ago. Later on it is called ‘The Sermon on the Mount’. Jesus deals with all kinds of life issues, the relationship with God and the relationship with fellow people. He illustrates the big difference between the disciples and the world around. Followers of Him not only love their friends, but also their enemies. They are not concerned and will not be afraid in difficult times because they trust God as their caring father. They don’t do things in order to be seen or gain something from it…But doesn’t this sound impossible? Where can you find a church with such a profile? Jesus’ words are a call to transforming discipleship that only He is able to realize in our life.

Longing for revival

Many people, including non-Christians, have been impressed by this ‘Sermon on the Mount’. Mahatma Gandhi admired this teaching of Jesus, and considered it as ‘ideal for social renewal’. The English pastor Martyn Lloyd Jones preached a series of 60 sermons about it in London because he saw how compromised and shallow the life of Christians was, halfway the last century. He longed for a revival in the church and in the (Western) society. I recognize his longing. I think that there are plenty reasons to listen to Jesus’ words in the sermon on the mount today.

Pastor Niek Tramper

ICF Delft Church Services in the Christmas Period

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ICF Delft Church services in the Christmas period in the Génestet Church, Oude Delft 102

On Sunday 24th of December we have our ‘regular’ church service at 12:15pm. Rev. Hans-Jan Roosenbrand will preach on Revelation 21 verse 16 (Jesus says: ‘I am the bright morning star’)

On Sunday 25th of December we celebrate Christmas in a special joyful service, starting at 12:15pm. The children will stay in the service and we will sing a number of Christmas songs together. Also there will be a Bible story for the children and pastor Niek Tramper will preach on the theme: ‘The King is there – are you ready to welcome him?’ focusing on the Gospel of the birth of the Lord Jesus in Luke 2 verses 1-7.
After the service you are welcome for fellowship, coffee, tea and sweets in the annex room. And at 14:30 a special potluck Christmas fellowship lunch will start.

On Sunday, 31st of December, the last day of the year, we will also have a church service at 12:15pm.  Pastor Niek Tramper will then preach on the theme (from the 2nd letter of Peter): ‘Leaving the old, entering the new’.

Delft Project of Immanual church, Schoemakerstraat also organizes an Intercultural evening on 24th of December that starts at 18:00 in Immanuelchurch, Schoemakerstraat 1. More info on the website: delftproject.nl

 

“I am the bright Morning Star”

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It’s almost Christmas. In a few days, people from all over the world will celebrate the birth of Jesus. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Christians prepare for Jesus’ second coming into this world. Think about this: If Jesus should come back tomorrow and if judgment day begins, will you then be ready? And what does that mean, to be ready? What, in life, really matters? Coming Sunday, December 24 at 12:15pm we will have a ‘regular’ Sunday Service, and we listen to some of the final words of Jesus in the Bible. We also celebrate Holy Communion. Welcome!

I look forward to seeing you there!  Rev. Hans-Jan Roosenbrand

Religion and Faith

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After the service of last Sunday (10.12.17) some people asked for the Power Point slides about the sermon, especially about ‘religion and faith’.
So here is it: The sermon theme was ‘Preparing for the return of the king’ and one of the important points: ‘Discerning religion and faith in our life.’

Religion and Faith

‘I obey, therefore I am accepted.’
‘I am accepted, therefore I obey.’
Motivation is based on fear and insecurity.
Motivation is based on grateful joy.
‘I obey God in order to get things from God.’
‘I obey God – to delight and to resemble Him.’

When circumstances in my life go wrong, I am angry at God or myself.
When circumstances go wrong, I struggle, but I know that God may allow this for my training.

When I am criticized I am furious or devastated because it is essential for me to think of myself as a ‘good person’.
When I am criticized, I struggle, but it is not essential for me to think of myself as a ‘good person’.

My prayer life consists largely of petition and only heats up when I am in need.
My prayer life consists of generous stretches of praise and adoration. My main purpose is fellowship with God.

More to find in: T. Keller ‘Center Church’, p. 65

Pastor Niek Tramper

IFES national training day ‘Do it!’

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IFES national training day ‘Do it!’ – this Saturday, Dec. 9

Are you about to return to your home country within due time? Then this day is highly recommended for YOU!

Main speaker is Rev. Niek Tramper who has many years of experience working with international students and academics in Delft. The theme of this day will be: “Think home – helping students to prepare to return to their home culture”.

Recently he did research on the re-entry of Chinese students after their study. Those lessons will help us to understand how we can help students prepare for returning home because they will definitely face some big challenges!

Former international student, now OMF missionary Anna Bin Yang will share her testimony and lessons learned. In the afternoon we will have workshops to help apply the knowledge to our own contexts. The day is free of charge, lunch is included. It is a great place to connect, learn from each other and encourage each other.

When and where?  December 9th from 10.30 till 17.00 h in Utrecht,  Singelkerk Wittevrouwensingel 28, 3581, GC Utrecht

Please sign up via this link.

The King returns, prepare yourself!

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The King returns, prepare yourself!

“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ (2 Peter 1, 10-11).

The King returns, prepare yourself!

The four weeks before Christmas, the Christian church dedicates time to prepare the return of Jesus Christ. He promised to come, but He did not announce the date. That’s why we do well to live every day so that He finds us well prepared. What does that mean? Discover this coming Sunday, December 3, in our church service.

ICF Delft Potluck Lunch

After the Service we want to invite you to stay for a Potluck lunch.
Everyone just brings some food to church, either savoury or sweet, enough for a couple of people. Just have in mind, that there are only limited warming options in the kitchen. Also feel free to bring homemade or shop-bought food. Everything is welcome!

Also invite your friends to join us after the service if they want to! We look forward to meet everyone and have fellowship with You!

 

Bible Study

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Bible Study on Thursday

Join our Bible Study again this Thursday, December 23, from 20:00-22:00! As usual, we meet in the Old Church (Heilige Geestkerkhof 25, 2611 HP, Delft).

Bob Landon will continue with us the study on the book of Jonah. This week will be the second last time we will look at Jonah. The next and last one will be on December 7. Be sure not to miss this! 😉 We are excited to dig into God’s word with you and find out what he wants to say to us.