LOOK DOWN THE ROAD

Our reading for the first Sunday of Advent came from Jeremiah 33:14-16. The sermon that went along with it can be found here.

Jeremiah is a forward looking prophet who was travelling through some difficult days. He realized that things would get worse before they would get better.

When we are in such situations, where can we find hope? Here are a couple of Jeremiah’s suggestions.

Realize that God never gives up on us.

The people were well aware that their desperate circumstances were the result of their own failure. God had spoken but they hadn’t listened. God had directed them and they had headed in the opposite direction. God had called and they had searched for another voice to follow. What they had not realized was that God never gives up on God’s people.

It is the same for us. We mess up time after time. We know the right, yet do the wrong. We get ourselves into situations where we can point the finger of blame at nobody other than ourselves. At such times it is good to remember that though we may just about be ready to give up on ourselves, God never gives up on us. God is always ready to restore us and renew our lives.

Rely on God, not on our own efforts.

Recall Jeremiah’s words of hope to his hopeless ones. ‘Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safely. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The LORD is our righteousness.” (Jeremiah 33:16)

Salvation would come to the people, not because of their own efforts, but because of what God would do. Though they couldn’t see it, the time they were travelling through was not their final destination. They are to look down the road and anticipate God’s deliverance.

Likewise, as we travel through difficult days God calls us to look down the road and see the possibilities that form if we allow His Spirit to lead us and guide us. No instant fix is offered but through sticking with God real change can come. We can join with Jeremiah in declaring “The LORD is our righteousness.”

Prayer: Lord when times are hard, or we have messed up once again, we find it hard to trust in You. Remind us that You never give up on us. Teach us to rely on You, not on ourselves for our salvation. Be our righteousness and so help us to look down the road of our lives with anticipation and hope. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Thanksgiving

May God bless you and yours during this special season. As families get together and time is taken to reflect on our many blessings we are reminded that... if nothing else... we're still alive and kicking! Enjoy.

Christ the King – Music Celebration

This coming Sunday (November 22nd) our worship service will take the form of a musical celebration. Musical offerings of both a formal and informal nature shall ring forth as we celebrate that Jesus Christ is our Lord and King!

FAITH IN CHANGING TIMES

"In a New York minute everything can change’ comes the song over the radio. (The Eagles). A visit to Ground Zero poignantly reminds us the truth of such a statement. In our bible reading from Mark 13:1-8 Jesus speaks to his disciples of how even the great temple that they were admiring would one day soon be nothing but rubble, a prophecy that came true when the Romans ransacked Jerusalem in AD70.

The sermon can be found here

Holding onto faith in the midst of a world that often seems to spiral out of control is a challenge for believers of any generation. Jesus suggests a way through.

Don’t be led astray. In every age there are those who seek to provide us with the answers that will save us all. Atheists suggest religion is the problem, politicians blame each other, economists blame the market, and everybody has an opinion! The challenge for one seeking to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to allow His truth to be the lens through which we view all other beliefs.

Don’t be alarmed. There has yet to be an age that has not been characterized by wars, rumors of wars and other such disastrous events. Such has always been the way of the world, and will continue to be so. Reformed theology relates the chaos to the inherent sinfulness of our human condition. Notice how when a crisis comes along there is always somebody to say; "Here’s yet another sign that the end is near!" Jesus strongly suggests that we need to take care interpreting signs of the times lest we reach the wrong conclusions. The ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ offers a great perspective. "Don’t Panic!"

Do be alert. Whilst encouraged to find our peace in God, we are also cautioned to be awake to the changes that are around us. If we are going to put our faith in something, better put it in something that is tried, tested and true. The Christian gospel has proved remarkably resilient. A personal faith in Jesus Christ provides resources that cannot be found elsewhere. God’s Spirit can bring to the center of our existence a hope that transforms our worldview and helps guide us through the maze.

For sure others will come suggesting they have a better way.
For sure there will be wars and rumors of wars.
For sure nothing stays the same. Even temples turn back to dust.
In the midst of a changing world Jesus invites us to hold fast to His love!

Prayer: ‘Lord let us not be led astray, let use not be alarmed. Keep us in Your love and guide us through the changing circumstances we encounter each day. Amen.

THE WIDOWS MITE

It’s one of those stories that whenever you hear it you can’t help but be challenged. The one where the rich person drops some money in the collection box, then along comes a poor widow who puts only two pennies in. Jesus asks the people who gave the most? But I’m ruining the story!

Mark 12:38-44 is the biblical passage and the sermon that goes with it can be found here.

Last week I challenged us to consider our stewardship, particularly in regard to our financial giving. I even suggested that we consider what portion of our income we may give to support our church. Now along comes a passage that tells us that its not about portions!

So what it is about? Well… … mostly THANKSGIVING! (Which conveniently is also the next celebration that will gather families together across the nation). And most of us have a lot to be thankful for.

Even if we didn’t;

• as may have been the case with the widow…


• or certainly was the case with the prophet Habakkuk who declared the crops had failed and the cattle had died…


• and even those hardy pilgrims who after sailing on the Mayflower faced trouble, trouble and more trouble… still we are invited to join with the prophets prayer;

"Yet, I will exult in the Lord, I will be thankful, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength." (Habakkuk 3:18-19)

So as our official stewardship season moves into the season of thanksgiving let me say again what I said in the sermon:- "Giving is a spiritual practice and an expression of a life that knows itself touched by the Grace of God. It is not a duty but a delight. It is not a requirement but a heart response to the love of God … It’s not about ‘making a donation’ but everything to do with ‘overflowing with thankfulness’."

Prayer: Lord, in my heart of hearts I know I have so much to be thankful for. Help me to express my thanksgiving in ways that bring joy to others and which help to grow Your Kingdom. Teach me to be a faithful steward of all that You have blessed my life with. Amen.

THE RIGHT ANSWER

In Mark 12:28-34 a scribe praises an answer that Jesus has given regarding the commands of God. "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that 'He is one, and besides Him there is no other'; and 'To love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,' --this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."

In our church we are currently in stewardship season. Seeing how this answer relates to the use of the many gifts God has blessed our lives with forms the core of this weeks sermon which can be found here.

Some thoughts about Biblical Stewardship.

1. Giving is related to our perception of what we have received. If we feel God has dealt us blow after debilitating blow then we are not likely to be overflowing with generosity towards the things of God. However if we feel our life is abundantly blessed, then we abundantly give in return.

2. Giving is about spiritual growth. The church is neither a social club nor a philanthropic cause. The Church is the family of the people of God. Within that community we are joint heirs of God’s promises as we seek to encourage each other to be faithful servants. Our financial input (along with the commitment of our time and the way we use the spiritual and natural gifts God blesses our lives with) is a barometer of our spiritual progress. Giving is an expression of our devotion.

3. Giving is about our values. The things we value in life are the things we invest in. Nobody throws thousands of dollars away on things they have no connection with! If we believe in our faith community it is the most natural thing in the world to commit ourselves in tangible ways to the growth of that community.

The Stewardship Challenge This weeks sermon invites us to do something specific. To personally consider what portion of our income God is inviting us to be giving in order to enable our Church community to thrive. Such is a challenge for us to prayerfully consider with an open heart and an open bible.

Youth 'Bash' at Baldwin

Sunday Night (1st of November) we held an event for our youth and were delighted with a good turnout of some of our own and their friends. Pizza and Brownies were consumed, time was spent just hanging out and a few wild games ensued! We also were able to talk about things we'd like to commit to in the future. Our next youth meet will be on Sunday 15th November at 7:00.p.m.

Prior to our youth meeting our confirmation class began in earnest with 10 youth embarking on what we hope will be a year long journey towards confirmation.

Some weeks ago I sought your prayers for the development of programs for our youth and children. With Kingdom Kids, Confirmation and a Youth Bash we can surely rejoice that God is good and pray that the works we have begun will prosper and grow! Please keep these ventures and their leaders in your prayers.

Visit of Moderator of the Church of South India

We were privileged this past Sunday to be addressed by Rev Dr. John Wilson Gladstone, the current moderator of the Church of South India, who spoke to our adult forum following morning worship. He talked of the challenges and joys of ministry in his nation.

Amongst the challenges were the predominance of other religions, particularly Hinduism and the fact that in some districts whilst religions were permitted to spread their message, conversion was not acceptable! Even though some faced persecution, the church was growing and new congregations were being added every month.

He shared some of the history of his nation, and in particular the caste system which still held great influence on peoples lives. When asked about the strengths of the church that produced growth he emphasized personal experience of Jesus Christ, a vibrant faith that trusted in God for the salvation of the whole person, and the deep commitment of its leaders.

More about Rev Dr. J.W Gladstone can be found at Wikipedia (and also links of interest regarding the Church of South India)