Powerpoint Pictures: D-Day Landings; Henry VIII; Robert Burns; Darwin’s Origin’s of the Species; The Simpsons; John Calvin

In 2009 there are a number of historic anniversaries: 65 years ago D-Day landings.  500 years ago Henry VIII became King of England.  250 years ago Robert Burns the Scottish poet was born.  150 years ago Darwin’s Origin’s of the Species published (which has been all over the news).  20 years ago The Simpsons started on TV.

This week on Friday, 10th of July, we have another historic anniversary.

Does anyone know what it is?

Let me tell you…

500 years ago, this Friday, 10th of July, John Calvin was born.  It’s Calvin’s 500th birthday!

John Calvin was someone who was greatly used by God to help Christians to understand the Bible.

He was born on 10th July 1509 in France.  He became a Christian in his early twenties, and spent most of his adult life pastoring a church in Geneva, Switzerland.

John Calvin greatest passion was the glory of God.

He wholeheartedly believed in Romans 11:36: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.”

What is the glory of God?  The glory of God is how great and amazing God is.  We are to glorify God by showing how great God is and how not great we are.

Calvin’s passion for the glory of God led him to spending his life helping people see how amazing God is.

How did he do this?

By explaining the Bible.  As Calvin read the Bible he saw how amazing God is and so he knew that the best way for other people to see how amazing God is, was by being able to understand the Bible.

Calvin explained the Bible to people by preaching in church (10 sermons every fortnight), lecturing in college (3 times a week), leading a Bible Study every Friday, and by writing lots of books.

John Calvin’s life helps us to see why reading the Bible, listening to sermons in church, and Bible teaching in Sunday School is so important.  It’s because as we read and understand the Bible we see how amazing God is.

And where do we see how amazing God is most clearly in Bible – Jesus’ death on the cross.

On the cross we see Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, taking the punishment of hell people deserve so they can be forgiven for their sins and become friends with God.

How amazing is God that He would do this for us!