Luke 19:28 - 40
Whilst we're used to shaking our head in disbelief at the crowds on the first Sunday at the way that they failed to get the point about Jesus' ministry, the question for us is whether we today get what his ministry is about.
We acknowledge that the ministry of Jesus was to inaugurate a new heaven and a new earth and to bring to all who believe in him forgiveness of sins and an entry into eternal life. But do we get that this starts here and now? Do we get that as Christ followers our task isn't just to stand on the sidelines and wave branches and cheer the work of Jesus, but that we are also to be actively pursuing the realisation of heaven here on earth?
We are called to live the life of Jesus, and to enter into his sacrificial self giving. This is something that we do not just for the six weeks of Lent, but for our entire lives. We are to have the same attitude that Jesus had. An attitude where we don't seek to be served, but to serve. An attitude where we don't seek to make life comfortable for ourselves, but to make it comfortable for others. An attitue where we give ourselves obediently to the call of God.
After Lent has finished, how are you going to maintain a life of self denial and sacrifice for the sake of others in this world who are poor and in need?
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
How bizarre
John 12:1 - 8
Was Mary some madly infatuated woman, engulfed in her love and gratitude toward the charismatic messianic figure of Jesus? I don't think so. In her bizarre actions Mary points the way forward to the death of Jesus and indicates the manner in which he is going to bring about salvation for the world. Her annointing of Jesus feet with an abundance of expensive perfume was done in a way that was generous, sacrifical and an act of service. In the same way the death of Jesus, in atonement for our sins, was generous, sacrificial and an act of service.
Mary indicates the true nature of discipleship which combines both worship and service. One without the other is a nonsense, worship becomes just an empty ritual, and service becomes a striving for merit points.
Examine your own discipleship, does it combine both worship and service, are you telling God you love him and showing him that you love him through your actions?
Was Mary some madly infatuated woman, engulfed in her love and gratitude toward the charismatic messianic figure of Jesus? I don't think so. In her bizarre actions Mary points the way forward to the death of Jesus and indicates the manner in which he is going to bring about salvation for the world. Her annointing of Jesus feet with an abundance of expensive perfume was done in a way that was generous, sacrifical and an act of service. In the same way the death of Jesus, in atonement for our sins, was generous, sacrificial and an act of service.
Mary indicates the true nature of discipleship which combines both worship and service. One without the other is a nonsense, worship becomes just an empty ritual, and service becomes a striving for merit points.
Examine your own discipleship, does it combine both worship and service, are you telling God you love him and showing him that you love him through your actions?
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Coming into the party
Luke 15:1 - 3, 11b - 32
We are told that we are to rejoice in the Lord. Yet how often is it that in our Christian lives aren't times of rejoicing. Like the younger son, we might be mired in sin, know that it is wrong, but find no way back to the father. Or like the older son, our relationship with the church is one of hard work, tireless effort and resentment. In the midst of this might be times of joy and experiences of the overwhelming love of God, but this too often pass away.
Jesus offers us an invitation into the party. Whether we are an older or younger brother, the opportunity is there for us to experience the gracious, overwhelming love and grace of God. God wills and wants us to be sharing in the party. What is it that you need to do, to enter the party? How do you need to come to your senses, how do you need to lay down your burden of work and just accept all that God has to offer?
We are told that we are to rejoice in the Lord. Yet how often is it that in our Christian lives aren't times of rejoicing. Like the younger son, we might be mired in sin, know that it is wrong, but find no way back to the father. Or like the older son, our relationship with the church is one of hard work, tireless effort and resentment. In the midst of this might be times of joy and experiences of the overwhelming love of God, but this too often pass away.
Jesus offers us an invitation into the party. Whether we are an older or younger brother, the opportunity is there for us to experience the gracious, overwhelming love and grace of God. God wills and wants us to be sharing in the party. What is it that you need to do, to enter the party? How do you need to come to your senses, how do you need to lay down your burden of work and just accept all that God has to offer?
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Worse sinners?
Luke 13:1 - 9
Recently there have seems to have been a significant number of tragedies being reported in our media. Floods in western Queensland, earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, murders of children in Brisbane and Bundaberg. The age old question that the people around Jesus asked, comes back to our minds, "why do these people suffer?" "Did they do something to deserve what happened to them?" Jesus makes it clear that the suffering of people is not dependant upon their sin, God does not punish in this way, God does not choose to let out his rage selectively. Jesus calls us all to repentance, reminding us again that we will all face punishment for our sins, unless we turn back to God.
Ultimatley there will be complete healing and an end to suffering when Christ returns, and until then everything that we have here on earth will be less than it could be.
But, as a new creation in Christ, we have the opportunity to declare and make now the coming kingdom of heaven and allow it to be seen here on earth. How do you do that? What are your practices, where in the power of the Holy Spirit, you proclaim the new heaven of Christ and reduce the suffering of this world? Our participation in Lent Event, our efforts to save the environment, our Community Helping Hand are all instances where we have declaring now the new thing that God is bringing to us.
Recently there have seems to have been a significant number of tragedies being reported in our media. Floods in western Queensland, earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, murders of children in Brisbane and Bundaberg. The age old question that the people around Jesus asked, comes back to our minds, "why do these people suffer?" "Did they do something to deserve what happened to them?" Jesus makes it clear that the suffering of people is not dependant upon their sin, God does not punish in this way, God does not choose to let out his rage selectively. Jesus calls us all to repentance, reminding us again that we will all face punishment for our sins, unless we turn back to God.
Ultimatley there will be complete healing and an end to suffering when Christ returns, and until then everything that we have here on earth will be less than it could be.
But, as a new creation in Christ, we have the opportunity to declare and make now the coming kingdom of heaven and allow it to be seen here on earth. How do you do that? What are your practices, where in the power of the Holy Spirit, you proclaim the new heaven of Christ and reduce the suffering of this world? Our participation in Lent Event, our efforts to save the environment, our Community Helping Hand are all instances where we have declaring now the new thing that God is bringing to us.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
What happened?
This Sunday we experienced a pulpit swap. Ben Webb from St Paul's Stafford shared with you at Emmanuel, whilst I led worship at Wilston Uniting Church.
What happened at Emmanuel? As you listened to Ben, open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, how were you challenged, inspired, confronted, led to a deeper understanding? Please post a comment and share with others.
What happened at Emmanuel? As you listened to Ben, open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, how were you challenged, inspired, confronted, led to a deeper understanding? Please post a comment and share with others.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
When temptation looks appealing
Matthew 4:1 - 11
Taken from the point of view of the devil, the temptations that Jesus faced all seemed reasonable, indeed could even be God honouring. The temptation to feed himself, to test God before he went into battle, to get power and glory without pain and suffering, can all be spun as a way of achieving God's purposes. Indeed, therein is the greatest deception of the devil. It's found in those temptations that are so obviously wrong, although still appealing. But more so in those things that it takes alot of pray, discernment and waiting on God, to identify the evil temptation.
For example, God wants his church to grow and prevail, isn't it right then, that I should do everything in my power to make the church grow? Wrong. That's the temptation of the devil. My part in God's church is to surrender to his will, to serve where I am called, to use his gifts in ways that honour him.
Abiding in scripture like Jesus did helps us identify what is of God, and what is of the devil, because temptation can all too often seem very appealing.
Taken from the point of view of the devil, the temptations that Jesus faced all seemed reasonable, indeed could even be God honouring. The temptation to feed himself, to test God before he went into battle, to get power and glory without pain and suffering, can all be spun as a way of achieving God's purposes. Indeed, therein is the greatest deception of the devil. It's found in those temptations that are so obviously wrong, although still appealing. But more so in those things that it takes alot of pray, discernment and waiting on God, to identify the evil temptation.
For example, God wants his church to grow and prevail, isn't it right then, that I should do everything in my power to make the church grow? Wrong. That's the temptation of the devil. My part in God's church is to surrender to his will, to serve where I am called, to use his gifts in ways that honour him.
Abiding in scripture like Jesus did helps us identify what is of God, and what is of the devil, because temptation can all too often seem very appealing.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Evidence
Matthew 3:1 - 12
In response to the Pharisees and Sadducees coming out to see what he's doing in the wilderness, John the Baptist gives them an earful and a challenge to "produce fruit in keeping with repentance." I am fascintated by this phrase.
It would be very easy for us today to produce fruit. How much of what we do in church and life is just "stuff". Activity for the sake of activity? Our protestant work ethic, our action orientated society, our results based culture gives us a natural bias toward doing something and showing some sort of results. But that's not what John challenges us to do. He challenges us to show an outward response to our inner relationship to God. Jesus teaching in John 15:1 - 8 where he says "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" is a natural extension of John's command.
As disciples who follow Jesus, we are challenged to do no more, and no less, than that which he calls us to do. Our fruit, the service we give and our sharing of faith needs to be an authentic response to his grace in our lives and our growing relationship with him.
The challenge for us is to be willing to serve just where he wants. To lay down our egos, and desire for power and control and stop doing more than he would have us do. To also be willing to lay down our pursuit of the easy life, and fear of being "trapped by the church" and serve more than we are now. What do you need to do?
The challenge also comes through our sharing of faith. Where our faith is genuine and deeply held by us, the passion for Christ will result in authentic sharing of that faith with our friends and families. How are you leading those around you, who do not yet know Jesus Christ, closer to his saving presence?
In response to the Pharisees and Sadducees coming out to see what he's doing in the wilderness, John the Baptist gives them an earful and a challenge to "produce fruit in keeping with repentance." I am fascintated by this phrase.
It would be very easy for us today to produce fruit. How much of what we do in church and life is just "stuff". Activity for the sake of activity? Our protestant work ethic, our action orientated society, our results based culture gives us a natural bias toward doing something and showing some sort of results. But that's not what John challenges us to do. He challenges us to show an outward response to our inner relationship to God. Jesus teaching in John 15:1 - 8 where he says "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" is a natural extension of John's command.
As disciples who follow Jesus, we are challenged to do no more, and no less, than that which he calls us to do. Our fruit, the service we give and our sharing of faith needs to be an authentic response to his grace in our lives and our growing relationship with him.
The challenge for us is to be willing to serve just where he wants. To lay down our egos, and desire for power and control and stop doing more than he would have us do. To also be willing to lay down our pursuit of the easy life, and fear of being "trapped by the church" and serve more than we are now. What do you need to do?
The challenge also comes through our sharing of faith. Where our faith is genuine and deeply held by us, the passion for Christ will result in authentic sharing of that faith with our friends and families. How are you leading those around you, who do not yet know Jesus Christ, closer to his saving presence?
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