God’s Continuing Mission
Sifted to Strengthen Others
| Speaker: | Andy Moyle |
| Series: | Hall of Mirrors |
| Date: | 2nd Aug, 2026 |
| Sermon notes: | Sifted to Strengthen OthersSifted to strengthen others Luke 22v31-32 Jesus
Sifting is not exactly sieving! Kids Demo of sieving flour Ancient times wheat preparation to make flour
Kid to try! Sift some sweets – new garden sieve – toffees, rabbit food for chaff, pebbles Violent shaking and some dross goes through, some separates and picked out – skilled end up with two piles in the sieve. Tough process Satan wants to bruise us, knock us about – but Jesus prayer is that we get through it and come out with the rubbish taken away and able to strengthen others. The sifting is discipline – and it’s not rejection. The Father disciplines those he loves Heb 12:5-11. Peter blew it big time – proud, but denied Jesus x3 with a bit of fruity language. Believers sin – when you think you are strong, that’s when you are most vulnerable. Feel bad – shame, guilt or fear Embarrassed – Stef told a 400m story – mine was the mile, I sprinted a lap and was done! Came last. But we don’t lose our salvation. Peter sinned around a fire. Jesus restored round another campfire Peter denied him 3 times Jesus told him to feed my sheep 3 times. Jesus prayer is answered! Peter came back and got to strengthen the brothers. Within weeks he preached a sermon and 3000 people got saved! Do you feel haunted by failure? Maybe find a quiet place this afternoon and read the story of Peter’s restorative breakfast in John 21 and allow Jesus to strengthen you too |
Sifted to Strengthen Others
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Certain moments in history you remember when you heard about them
JFK, Berlin Wall, Diana death, 9/11
Don't know whether Friday's result will be one of them?
32nd highest Leave area out of 400 areas at 63.2%
3 things I do know coming out of it
Anger – very uncivilised campaign, divided nation – ages, class, region. Lot of rudeness on social media
Fear – internationals feeling unwelcome, worried for future
Feeling manipulated – some reported wished they hadn't voted the way they did
Fear > Manipulation > Anger
Minister into that later
God is large and in charge – Psalm 2:1-8
Acts 4 – troubled times. First response prayer
Sovereign Lord
Quoted Psalm2 back to God
God help us get on with the mission
Citizens of UK and EU – more than that citizenship in heaven Phil 3:20; Heb 11:13-16
Mission aligned with God's mission
He has always wanted a people for Himself from all the earth to bless.
Creation – man and women in the image of God Gen 1:26
– for relationship with God Gen 3:8
Marred by sin – God given us all free choice, not robots. Relationship based on control not a relationship
1st Sacrifice to deal with sin – garments of skin to cover shame Gen 3:21
Gen 11 continued sin and pride led to Babel – separation of languages
God's plan
Gen 12:1-3 God's plan becomes evident
People of Israel chosen to bless every family on earth – God wants a people
Ex 19:5 treasured possession, kingdom of priests and a holy nation – meant to be a balance
More like a pendulum – never achieved it
2000yrs ago J&G utterly divided
Great time Pax Romana – easy spread of Christianity
God sent Jesus, ultimate sacrifice to win for God a people
Acts 2 Spirit came – tongues so everyone could understand – reversal of Babel, to bring people together
Both have access to God Eph 2:18
Dividing wall of hostility gone Eph 2:16
1 Peter 2:9 reiterates treasured possession, kingdom of priests, holy nation
Now have the power to do it
Christian – new creation & filled with the Spirit
End God will have his people from every nation Rev 5:9-10
Anger, fear, manipulation – nationalism and little England spirit
We have a God who is working his plan out – we get to be part of it – vision statement
Coming out of the Pax Europa – may or may not be free migration for EU citizens (int. one Brexit leader hinting that won't go to Nick Robinson!)
God has a plan, we get to be part of it
Jesus is amazing – unites us around himself 31 nations, ages, classes, because of Him! shines to the world something amazing!
Response
1) Anger, fear of feeling manipulated – bad things, bad taste in the mouth, oppressive. Freedom!
2) Looking in today – hopefully got to see a glorious vision of God's people the church. Something to buy into!
i) Start following Jesus
ii) Start helping to build!
3) Go out – love God, love your neighbour – leavers, retainers, foreigners and Linnets!