The sermon for July 31st 2022 is now available on the New Life web site. In this sermon, which is based on Matthew 6:5-15,I talk about Praying the Lord’s Prayer.
Click here to listen in your browser, here to download the mp3
Month: July 2022
Quote for the Day
This distinction between gender and sex is now a basic element of contemporary notions of identity. The whole transgender question depends on it, for if sex and gender are inextricably connected, then a mismatch between what one is biologically and who one is psychologically must inevitably be regarded as a dysfunction of the mind. Once the two are detached from each other—something that can only really be plausible in a world in which psychology rather than biology is seen as fundamentally determinative of identity—then the problem becomes one of the body, to be treated with medication and surgery. Technology therefore makes the whole claim plausible. Carl Trueman
Quote for the Day
The notions that political freedom is sexual freedom and that shattering heterosexual norms is a vital part of transforming society for the better are now intuitive cultural orthodoxies. Carl Trueman
Redefining Words in the Woke Age
From the Babylon Bee comes this helpful chart.
Today’s Bike Ride
Another frosty morning.
Wear The Ribbon
Quote for the Day
Sex is no longer a private activity because sexuality is a constitutive element of public, social identity. Patterns of private sexual behavior are not simply private; they are public and political because they constitute a significant part of how our culture thinks of identity. Carl Trueman
Big Questions
Do you ever stop to think about the really deep questions of life? Our secular culture tries to distract us with endless scrolling, loud entertainment and shiny gadgets. So most people avoid thinking too hard.
There are three questions that any person or group has to wok out about life.
1. How did we get here?
You might think that everything is random and that you are just a collection of chemicals. It doesn’t make you feel too good about yourself though. The Bible tells us that everything was made by God and that every person is uniquely designed by Him.
2. What am I here for?
Some people think life is just about making a buck and looking after your family, maybe watching the footy and having a beer on the weekend. If you think that you are just a random collection of chemicals, maybe that’s as good as it gets.
Some really smart men in the 17th century wrote the Westminster Catechism which was a series of FAQs about faith. The first question they asked and answered is “What are we here for?” and the answer they gave was “The chief end of men (and women) is to glorify God and enjoy him for ever.” That’s a big answer that gives us a bigger sense of purpose.
3. Where are we going?
Our culture avoids the issue of death. We hide it away in hospitals and nursing homes. The reality is that we will all die. So what happens next? Is there some purpose for my existence that goes beyond the grave? When you have gained 60 or 80 years of wisdom and knowledge, does it all just get deleted? The Bible tells us that everyone who follows Christ will be raised up to eternal life with him. Death isn’t the end of life but a new beginning.
When we sort out these questions, our life gains purpose and meaning. It is the “abundant life” that Jesus promised to give to us when we trust in him.
Aboriginal Senator Slams “Welcome to Country”
From the Daily Mail:
Aboriginal senator Jacinta Price slams welcome to country ceremony after Pauline Hanson fled Senate
Indigenous senator says Australia is now ‘saturated’ by welcome to country ceremonies – after donning traditional headdress for maiden speech slamming ‘handouts’ thrown at Aboriginals
- Pauline Hanson stormed out of senate to protest acknowledgement of country
- New Aboriginal senator Jacinta Price has now backed the One Nation leader
- She says profusion of ceremonies has removed their sacred nature
- And she blasted Labor’s proposed indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal
By Kevin Airs and Nic White For Daily Mail Australia
New Aboriginal senator Jacinta Price has slammed welcome to country ceremonies for being token gestures and ‘throwaway lines’ – and backed Pauline Hanson after her walkout from the Senate on Wednesday.
The One Nation leader stormed out as Senate President Sue Lines acknowledged the Indigenous comunity at the opening of Wednesday’s sitting, yelling; ‘No, I won’t and never will’.
Senator Hanson was branded ignorant and racist by Greens senator Lidia Thorpe after the stunt, but she has now won backing from Senator Price who admitted the ceremonies had reached the point of overkill.
‘We’ve just been absolutely saturated with it,’ she said on Thursday. ‘It’s actually removing the sacredness of certain traditional culture and practices.
‘And it’s just become almost like a throwaway line.’New Aboriginal senator Jacinta Price has slammed welcome to country ceremonies for being token gestures and ‘throwaway lines’ after Pauline Hanson’s walkout from the SenateOne Nation leader Pauline Hanson stormed out as Senate President Sue Lines acknowledged the indigenous comunity at Parliament’s opening, yelling; ‘No, I won’t and never will’
The former deputy mayor of Alice Springs was elected Country Liberal Party Senator for the Northern Territory and made her maiden speech in traditional costume on Wednesday.
She used the moment to rail against Labor’s proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, an elected body of First Nations representatives enshrined in the constitution that would advise the government on issues affecting them.
‘I’ve had my fill of being symbolically recognised,’ she told 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Thursday.
‘I’ve had enough – they’ve done really nothing to improve the lives of really marginalised people.
Read the full article here
Reflection on Judges 14:1-20
Scripture
Then the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. He went down to the town of Ashkelon, killed thirty men, took their belongings, and gave their clothing to the men who had solved his riddle. Samson was Furious about what had happened, and he went back home to live with his father and mother.
Observation
Samson decides he wants a particular Philistine woman. He demands his parents get her to be his wife.
As Samson and his parents travelled to Timnah to arrange the marriage, a lion attacks Samson. The Holy Spirit comes up on him and he rips the lion’s jaw apart with his bare hands.
Some time later, he returns to Timnah for the wedding. He sees that a swarm of bees has made honey in the carcass of the lion. He scoops some up and gives some to his parents.
He makes a wager with the Philistine men at the wedding. If they can solve the riddle, he will give them 30 sets of clothing. If they cannot, then they will give him 30 sets of clothing.
The man have no clue, so they try to get Samson’s bride to entice him to tell her the answer. She does this. When the men reveal the answer to his riddle, Samson storms off to Ashkelon where he kills 30 young men, steals their belongings, and gives their clothes to the men in Timnah. Then he goes home to his parents without his bride.
Application
Samson is a tragic case of gifts without character. Samson’s unique gift was physical strength, but he lacked the wisdom and the character to use it for God’s glory.
There are many people who have some gift or anointing from the Holy Spirit, but they have failed to develop in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. They minister with power, but they lack the character of Christ.
It has been said by other people: If you have the fruit of the Spirit without the gifts of the Spirit, you will dry up. If you have the gifts but not the fruit, you will blow up. If you have the gifts and the fruit, you will grow up.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, please develop your gifts and your fruit in my life so that I can be a mature follower of Jesus. Amen.
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