God covenanted with David, “Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever” (Samuel 7:16). God’s covenant with David is also an invitation to us from God himself. The God who assured David of an eternal Kingdom also assures us of his eternal kindness to us as a part of that Kingdom. Isaiah saw this Kingdom and described it this way:
Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk – it’s all free! ........ Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. (Isaiah 55: 1-3) God is saying that if we will come to him empty-handed, hungry, and thirsty, willing to receive what he gives, than he will bind himself with an oath to treat us forever with the same mercy and faithfulness that he demonstrated in his covenant with David. The Jewish people undoubtedly had this promise from this passage from Isaiah in their minds when they came to the final day of the Festival of Shelters. On that day, jars of water were poured over the altar so that water streamed onto the pavement and down the steps. Jesus chose this dramatic moment to stand up and shout to the gathered crowd, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!” (John 7: 37-38). His invitation is repeated in Revelation 22:17, “Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires, drink freely from the water of life,” Jesus is the source of the living water that is offered freely to everyone. Praise the Lord of Living Waters! Prayer – Water of life, I am thirsty and I have nothing of value to offer you to purchase what only you can provide. What a relief and a joy to know that you offer yourself generously and freely to anyone who believes in you. I believe in you. I’m coming to you to satisfy my thirst forever. Let’s sing together. Song: Living Waters by Keith & Kristyn Getty “….you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
1 Timothy 3: 15 1 Timothy 5: 9-16 Visions and reality. How many times in history, and indeed in our lives, has a vision been unsuccessful because the reality of its fulfilment has failed in the delivery of its detail? There are great ideas and ideals that never succeed because as the saying goes, ‘the devil is in the detail.’ The Gospel was and is the absolute ideal. It is the truth of God that provides genuine freedom, real equality and eternal life all wrapped up in a relationship with God to be lived out in His community, the Church. As this truth hit home in the immediate aftermath of Christ’s death and resurrection the early Church ballooned in growth. As new Churches were established and began to grow they each encountered their own peculiar problems in their context. A lot of the content in the letters of the New Testament is about how to live out the truth of the Gospel in the reality of the recipient's situations. This passage today is all about that type of detail. The Vision of the Gospel has been laid out (1 Tim. 2: 3-6) and now Paul is having to get into the detail of how the Church in Ephesus is to live the Gospel in their circumstance. The life of a widow was a huge challenge because of the social structures and culture. The focus is there because there were obviously difficulties and challenges for the Church. Three key principles arise from the detailed directives though which we can consider for the Church of today. Firstly those seeking provision from the Church must be in genuine need (vs. 9-10). As Tom Wright puts it, “Converts of convenience are not to be tolerated when it comes to social practical support.” Secondly, and linking to the first point if people are able to help themselves or be helped by their family, this should be the first course of action rather than looking to the Church whose resources will be limited. Thirdly there is a warning against idleness (vs. 11-16). Restlessness can result which can lead to interference in other people’s lives and gossip. It strikes me that Paul had clearly received the ‘Vision’ of the Gospel. He worked very hard to proclaim God’s Good News but equally hard on the details to ensure the growth of God’s Kingdom in the reality of people’s lives. The Church community today needs to base all on God’s truth but must also work hard on the details of relationships within. Many a division, hurt and difficulty arises because we do not deal with the ‘small’ matters; we can also over focus on the minutiae. In a different interpretation of the saying, ‘the devil can indeed be in the detail,’ the neglected detail. A balance of attention to both the big picture and small detail is required for a healthy church. To Ponder: In your Church what details need to be focused upon to progress the Vision of God’s Kingdom, His Gospel? What are the different ways widows (and indeed widowers) need the support of family, others and Church today? Are you being called to help? Pray: Bless your church throughout the world by your Holy Spirit, draw the scattered flock of Christ into a visible unity, and make your church a sign of hope to our divided world. Grant that we who bear your Son’s name may be instruments of your peace, bringing peace to our homes, our communities, our nation, and our world. Amen. Praise: Here O Lord your servants gather Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuBs1ukENIE Make me a channel of your peace Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT8bybL_DqY Bible Verse: “Remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7:18)
I was looking through some old family photo albums recently with my sister. Page after page was full of images that brought memories flooding back. We had a great time remembering the stories we hadn’t thought of in many years or had simply forgotten. We particularly enjoyed our wedding photos. We recognized most of the people in our wedding parties but had to be think real hard about who some of them were – “That’s what my brother used to look like with hair!” It was incredibly fun to recall all the memories we made growing up. The days at the beach, family vacations, holidays, birthdays, weddings. When we were young, there was so much to look forward to, so many dreams to live out. For young people with little experience in life, the future can be both wonderful and overwhelming. Then in what feels like a heartbeat, most of it is behind you, and you wonder where it all went. Life refuses to stand still, always bringing the next chapter: a new job, a move, kids, a health scare, and aging family members. A collage of photos, memories and stories; some good, some painful, but all of them were our stories. As Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, he discovered that their memories tended to fade and they would forget what God had done for them. Their memories were just as short as ours. He constantly had to remind them of God’s mercy and goodness towards them. How God had chosen them, built them into a nation, defeated the gods of Egypt and rescued them from Pharaoh. In other words, Moses had to remind of them of their story as the chosen people of God. And later, the prophets, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and all the rest, also would have to repeatedly remind the people of their story, and of God’s love and faithfulness to them. We are like the Israelites, however, and must remember that our story is not just ours alone. We are not separate from God’s story. He is the Creator of all, and as He weaves together the tapestry of history, each one of our stories becomes a small thread in the greater whole, creating a work of art beyond ourselves. The more we pour ourselves into His will, the more vibrant the strands of our story are. The more we emulate the Lord Jesus, the stronger the threads of our lives become. The next time you look at old photos, remember the shared moments of your life, and thank God for His faithfulness and mercy. Praise be to our Father in heaven! “….you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
1 Timothy 3: 15 1 Timothy 5: 1-8 I’ve often heard folk use the phrase, “This job would be easy without people;” (I’ve sometimes echoed those words myself!). When we think of our families there is another phrase sometimes used, “We can pick our friends but not our families.” These phrases are often used in exasperation when there is a tricky situation in a relationship. Relationships are wonderful but also challenging and sometimes very difficult. The Church is no exception to this reality; in fact with the diversity of her members it can almost seem like a permanent challenge. Add to the mix of our fellowship the pressure that is rising due to the pandemic and relationships can really fray. In this Chapter Paul turns his attention to such relationships; to the conduct of the household of God. Remember what we are reading is guidance to Timothy, the Pastor, so we need to reason from that instruction how relationships are meant to be. Here are some key lessons for us:
The love of God and His Gospel truth must be lived out within God’s household for its truth, power and love to be seen as real. Each generation has to work out the application of these instructions in their own context. We are the children of God in His household; how are our relationships going? To Ponder: Which aspect challenges you most from this passage: correction; respect; purity; or care? What practical step do you need to take in a relationship that the Holy Spirit has put on your heart in relation to this truth? Pray: Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed that his disciples might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Praise: We, the Lord’s People Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3CMHOcJs_w Together Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR1Hk0FVi_k “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
1 Timothy 4: 15-16 1 Timothy 4: 6-16 Paul continues on from his warnings against false teaching. He implores Timothy to live, speak and act in a certain way to bless others, the Church and indeed himself. Whilst Paul is addressing Timothy personally there is much in this instruction that can be applied to our lives today. Today we face false teaching and conspiracy theories, we also face challenging times. The fabric of society and community cohesion is easily stretched if not broken in times of confusion and disagreement; at the minimum cracks can appear. In my previous occupation ‘community tension indicators’ were applied in a professional manner to identify early warning signs of trouble ahead. As I look at our society today, listen to folk and consider the news outlets I see such indicators being flagged. So, in this situation what can we do, how can our lives and God’s Church make a difference? We can:
The concluding encouragements are for us to be diligent and committed to this life and witness (vs. 15-16). We are to watch how we live to ensure it is in obedience to God and be sure to understand the truth so that it really is our foundation. Perseverance in this ensures our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Our witness may also help others be saved (note that the others are described as hearers – our life needs to be explained by the spoken word of Christ’s Gospel, Romans 10: 14). Let us live a saving lifestyle for God’s glory and the blessing of our society. To Ponder: If a stranger visited our Church or met with you personally would they know and see Jesus Christ? How might you ‘train yourself in godliness,’ to help with this life of love and witness? Pray: O Lord, our God, you have given to us the glorious gospel of our risen Savior and Master: Grant that as we joyfully receive the good news for ourselves, so we may gratefully share it with others, and ever give glory to you, by whose grace alone we are what we are: through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Praise: Salvation Belongs to our God Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc4j4gde9aE Way Maker Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29IxnsqOkmQ My last two posts have been about God’s faithfulness and his mercy. Today I wanted discuss God’s holiness.
Isaiah is the prophet of divine holiness. His own prophetic call came in a profound revelation and experience of the holiness of God. He saw the Lord and heard the chant of the fiery seraphim singing their triumphal hymn, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6: 3). And Isaiah was never the same again. Throughout Isaiah’s prophecies in the rest of the book that bears his name, God is repeatedly called “the Holy One of Israel.” “He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth” (54:5). This title placed the sins of Isaiah’s society in stark contrast to God’s moral perfection and his absolute separation from evil. In his holiness, God exists above and apart from the world he has made. How amazing, then, that God came down to the world he made – the Holy One would become flesh, living in a world and among people sullied by sin. John wrote in his Gospel that Isaiah “saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory” (John 12:41). Jesus is the Holy One of Israel. And if it was not immediately obvious to the Jews, it was to the demons who were threatened by his power and purity. Luke wrote: In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. (Luke 4:33-35) Perhaps the more significant recognition of Jesus as the Holy One, the Messiah, came from Peter, who spoke for the rest of the disciples even as many followers of Jesus turned away: “We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:69). In Jesus, God invites us to know him in his holiness, and even share in his holiness. May we believe and know that Jesus is the Holy One of God. Let us now pray and then sing together. Prayer – I believe and know you are the Holy One of God. Make me holy as you are holy. Set me apart by your Spirit. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! Revelation Song by Kari Jobe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-zk-E55dRk “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving; because it is consecrated by the Word of God and prayer.’”
1 Timothy 4: 4-5 1 Timothy 4: 1-5 COVID conspiracy theories abound. Some common theories include the belief that it is caused by 5G, or that it may be a biological weapon or that it was caused by Genetically Modified Crops; there are many more. Most conspiracies have an element of fact or truth in them that cause the hearer to consider their worth. Conspiracy theories though generate confusion, they create a lack of trust and sadly in this situation have been identified as contributing to the death toll from this awful virus. Truth is the answer but in a weight of information it can be difficult to find and verify. In our continuing study of 1st Timothy Paul is warning the Church in Ephesus of similar confusion and danger that was arising from false teaching. If you recall the Gnostics were at play in Ephesus. They were promoting that everything of the body was evil and everything in the world was evil; only spirit was good. People were being encouraged to absence themselves from food and from marriage. In addition in the pagan religions of the time gluttony, drunkenness and sexual orgies were promoted and practiced. Two extremes were in existence and impacting the Church. In Genesis 1-3 we are told that God looked at His creation and saw that it was very good (1: 31). We then read of the fall and the consequences that impacted all of creation. God’s ministry of reconciliation though is bringing all things back to their rightful place under the authority of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1: 9-10). Until that time of fulfilment we are to recognise the good gifts of God in creation and to acknowledge the damaging falsehoods that exist. We are not to condemn God’s gifts within His creation nor are we to idolize them. Instead we are to walk the path of truth (vs. 3) receiving His gifts with gratitude, sharing their enjoyment because they are consecrated (sanctified, made right) by the Word of God. The truth of God is the foundation on which we are able to understand and enjoy His gifts. When we struggle to understand if something is good, right and a gift from God we need to test it against His truth in His Word. We can then receive the gift with thanksgiving and worship our incredibly generous God. In a world full of information, disinformation, conspiracies and theories the ultimate truth of Jesus Christ is supremely good for us. To Ponder: What contemporary ‘false teaching’ can you identify in our world today? Why is gratitude for God’s gifts to us so important in combating false teaching? Pray: O God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for Praise: A beautiful song by our own Bruce Moore accompanied by Jennifer Manhas calls us to follow Christ in difficult times Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxMjeoWkE6w&feature=youtu.be Bible Verse: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
We all have a desire to achieve, whether in academics, music, sports, ministry, or our careers. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with that. In fact these desires can often be noble, even inspired by God as part of His calling on your life. But that desire to achieve must never become the primary focus of your life. That focus should always be Christ, because when He is at the center of our lives, our primary ambition becomes incomparably greater. When He is at the center of our lives, we strive to know Christ more deeply, and honour his call to help transform our broken world so that it reflects the justice and beauty of God’s kingdom. As our desire to achieve things for and through Chris grows, we are freed from the need to succeed in a worldly sense, and are empowered by Him to live with integrity and a depth of character not possible without Him. So even if we do achieve success by the world’s standards, we won’t be driven by an insatiable and compulsive need. If we allow ourselves to be driven to accomplish great things in order to be loved, we become slaves to success. We will climb the ladder of success out of a sense of deprivation, and even if we do reach the top, we will still feel unsatisfied and empty. But Jesus showed us that is there is another way. If we seek to make significant contributions to the world because we are loved by our great Father in heaven, we will live as children of grace. We will see that everything we have or have achieved is a gift. We will be motivated to do our best work out of a deep sense of gratitude, because we have been accepted by our heavenly Father through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is true that God is with us all the time. He reaches out to us every day through the people in our lives, through the beauty of creation, and through Scripture. He speaks to us in moments of beauty and in sadness, through our memories and desires. Yet, sadly, most people will remain distracted and unaware of His presence, and will struggle their entire lives to achieve more and more, and never find satisfaction. In my own life, I’ve found that an awareness of grace – of a love that I can’t earn and most certainly don’t deserve – has deepened as I have intentionally made space for God in my life. These life-giving habits leave me feeling less restless, and more comfortable in my own skin. I’m stirred to contribute out of a sense of gratitude for the grace I have been given, rather than out of a need to validate myself. As the Holy Spirit works in me through these habits, I am freed to live my life in approval instead of for approval. Intentionally creating space for God in our lives through deliberate spiritual practices is essential to our soul’s survival. These practices awaken us to God’s presence, enabling us to live freely out of our new identity as beloved children of God. And as we become more attentive to God’s abiding presence in our lives, labels such as stupid, mistake, fraud, not enough, worthless, ugly, and loser fall away. They are replaced by other words. Words of truth, spoken by the One who created us. Words like, beloved, beautiful, and blessed. Praise be to our great Father in heaven! “…you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.’”
1 Timothy 3: 15 1 Timothy 3: 14-16 “We all love a good mystery,” so the saying goes. There are unsolved mysteries, mysteries that are like riddles to be unraveled, mysteries whose secrets are kept hidden by those in power for their own benefit and then mysteries that can be solved. The Gospel falls into this last category, the mystery of God for all to see (1 Tim. 3: 16a; Eph. 3:9, 5: 32; Col. 1: 26-27; & 1 Cor. 2: 7); it’s there to be understood, to be solved. The key to understanding the Gospel can be found in Jesus Christ and verse 16 opens the door for us to grasp its meaning. Jesus, God’s Son, joins heaven with earth through His incarnational ministry. In this verse we see that connection as the wall that separates us from God comes down through faith in Him. Jesus, we read, appeared in body – and was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels – and was preached amongst the nations and then finally was believed on in the world – and taken up to glory; heaven and earth united through Jesus. This mystery, the passage tells us, has been revealed to the Church for the Church to now witness its truth to the world. As we have touched on already Ephesus was home to the great temple of Artemis (or Diana); it was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. One of its features was its pillars; it contained one hundred and twenty-seven of them, each a gift of a king. Paul, significantly tells the young church that they are “the Church of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” The relevance of this statement would not have been lost on the recipients of this letter. Paul tells the Church that this is indeed the purpose of his communication; they need to know how to conduct themselves so as to hold up the truth of Christ (vs. 15). He is the single pillar, the foundation of truth, within the Church; the true gift of a King. The Church, His Body, is now to behave and live in a certain way so as to reveal the mystery of God to the world. Yesterday we considered how we may have transformed lives, lived within the Church, to glorify God and witness to the world. This can enable others to be transformed by the mystery of God. If you were not at Church yesterday, nor listened online, I would encourage you to do so. We are to live as God’s children, in His household, grounded in His truth so that the watching world may know the Saviour. A mystery is no longer a mystery when its truth is revealed. To Ponder: We are to view the Church as God’s household and in the light of the truth she is to confess. How might this change your attitude towards church and your service to God within her? What will you with the conclusions you draw? Pray: Almighty God, you have built your church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. Join us together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may become a holy temple, acceptable to you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Praise: Lord I lift your Name on high Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6I6orjM3NI The Church’s one foundation Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jotNbcFelX4 “Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”
Matthew 20: 25-28 1 Timothy 3: 8-13 Today’s passage turns the focus from Bishops to Deacons. The word deacon and its variations appear over one hundred times in the New Testament from when the first appointments took place (Acts 6: 1-7). There was and is a clear role for this form of Christian Leadership. The Anglican Church holds to the three distinct orders of ordained ministry that are found in Scripture: Bishops; Priests; and Deacons. I reproduce an excerpt from the Book of Alternative Services (BAS) to clarify this point: ‘First, there is the order of bishops who carry on the apostolic work of leading, supervising, and uniting the Church. Secondly, associated with them are the presbyters, or ordained elders, in subsequent times generally known as priests. Together with the bishops, they take part in the governance of the Church, in the carrying out of its missionary and pastoral work, and in the preaching of the word of God and the administration of his holy sacraments. Thirdly, there are deacons who, in addition to assisting bishops and priests in all this work, have a special responsibility to minister in Christ’s name to the poor, the sick, the suffering, and the helpless.’ In the passage before us today, the one in Acts and the above explanation from the BAS we see that Deacons are to lead the Church in service. Deacons: will work to meet the needs of the Church; they will serve the Priests to enable them to lead; and they will serve and lead others so they can serve. Their ministry is based around the Word (living and written) and has a Gospel focus which takes the Church to the world; again their character is a key focus. When we look at Christ’s example of servant Leadership we see that Christian Leaders are: to imitate Jesus Himself; to build up the Church; to further the Gospel; and to work to enable members of the body to become who they are meant to be as Christ’s disciples blessing God and others. No small task!! N.B. Vs. 11 raises the issue of women as Deacons. Scholars disagree on interpretation as to whether this verse refers to the wives of Deacons or women as Deacons themselves. Certainly, we see in Romans 16 Phoebe as a Deacon. In the Anglican Church women hold positions in all three orders. To Ponder: How do you feel about service being a core aspect of God’s calling upon us? How might you use the gifts God has given you in His service; how could this fit into your Church life? N.B. I repeat the prayer and song from Wednesday’s blog due to their relevance Pray: Through your Spirit, heavenly Father, give these your servants grace and power to fulfil their ministry. Make them faithful to serve and constant in advancing your gospel in the world. May they follow the example of Jesus Christ your Son, who washed the feet of his disciples, and set the needs of others before his own. May their life be disciplined and holy, their words declare your love and their actions reveal your glory, that your people may walk with them in the way of truth and be made ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; to whom, with you and your Holy Spirit, belong glory and honour, worship and praise, now and for ever. Amen A prayer from my ordination service – please pray for all Church Leaders. Praise: The Servant King Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCAdWs-ZyEk |
Preachers BlogIn 2024, each week's blog is a follow-up reflection written by the preceding Sunday’s preacher to dig deeper into the sermon topic and explore engaging discussion questions. Archives
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