The Conflict in Israel and Gaza -
Be careful what you watch

We have all been saddened by the conflict in Israel and Gaza.  We’re right to pray, perhaps to personally send aid.  But based on a number of recent conversations, I’d like to offer two cautions as your Pastor.
 
Don’t watch or read too much. 
It’s right that Christians engage. Colossians 4:1 says we pray “being watchful.” Paul in his letters was always very mindful of the real-world situations people were facing.
But 24-hour news feeds, and instant access to graphic images of war, are very new. We might feel that we should watch all this because it helps us know what people are experiencing and it’s the least we can do. But several people have told me recently how impulsively glued they have become to the news, and the negative impact on them. Researchers tell us that the human mind struggles to deal with the large amounts of upsetting information that we are all being bombarded with.
The New Testament was well ahead of this research saying we’ll find God’s peace when we focus our minds (even in the midst of hardship) on what is good and pure and excellent and praiseworthy (See Philippians 4.8).

Don’t be misled by online preaching.
These days we have access to a wide variety of preaching online, and there are many brilliant sermons available. But popping up all over my news feed (unasked for) are videos about the end times and how this particular war involving Israel must be the fulfilment of Bible promises showing the end is near.
It’s worth knowing that this has happened again and again through history. For example, in London during the great plague, preachers confidently asserted they knew when the end would be. The difference now is that online platforms such as YouTube gives these voices a much higher profile, and makes them seem more credible because of the large number of views of each one. Controversy is popular!

If I put a sermon up on YouTube teaching that:

• no one knows exactly when the end will be (Matt 24.26)
• that all the time from Jesus’ first to his second coming is called the end times (or last days) (1 John 2.18)
• we shouldn’t be unsettled by wars and rumours of wars or people saying the end is now (Matt 24.6)
• instead all Christians should be ready all the time for Jesus coming (Matt 25.1-10)
• we shouldn’t waste time on controversy (Titus 3:9, 1 Tim 1:4, 1 Cor 15:3) but get on with our task of being and making disciples (Acts 1:8, 11)

– it wouldn’t go viral! 

This is the plain, balanced, and practical teaching of Jesus.  It’s what we need most, but it’s not nearly as exciting. 

If you do like online preaching here are two sources to go to - 

Clayton TV - Bible Teaching for Christians 
Scripture Index (The Gospel Coalition) 

And rather than listening to topics it’s generally best to listen through a whole series on a whole book of the Bible.  That way the Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible gets to set the agenda of what you are learning.