Reflection

Reflection on Mark 1:4-11

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Jesus-baptism

Scripture

“I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”

Observation
John comes baptising in the wilderness. The whole of Jerusalem and Judea come to him to confess their sins and be baptised.

John tells the people that someone else, much greater than John, is coming. John baptises in water, but He will baptise with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus comes to be baptised by John. As He comes out f the water, the Holy Spirit descends on Him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven says, “You are my Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased.”

Application
John baptised with water, but Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit.

Water baptism is about dying to ourselves and living for Christ. Spirit baptism is about dying to my own abilities and letting God’s power work in me and through me to others.

As John received the Holy Spirit at His baptism, we need to receive the Holy Spirit to be able to do the tasks that Jesus calls us to each day.

Unlike water baptism, which is a one-off event, Spirit baptism is a daily process of allowing Holy Spirit to immerse us, surround us, soak deeply into us. We need that daily infilling as surely as we need our daily food.

Prayer
Come Holy Spirit. Fill me. Baptise me. Energise me. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 1:26-38

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Scripture

Mary responded, “I’m the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Observation
The angel Gabriel appears to a virgin named Mary and says, “Greetings favoured woman! The Lord is with you!”

The angel then goes on to tell Mary that she will conceive and give birth to a son she will name Jesus. He will be the Son of the Most High and He will reign over Israel for ever.

Struggling to understand, Mary asks him how this can be. The angel tells her that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her and the baby will be called the Son of God.

Mary responds, “I am the Lord’s servant.”

Application
To a young girl in a tiny village these events must have seemed incredible, An angel brings a revelation of an impossible event with world-changing implications. And she is in the middle of it all.

It is Mary’s response that really sets her apart from most if us. “I am the Lord’s servant,” she says,

This is the attitude God is looking for in all of us. My life is all about serving the Lord, not about serving me.

God is looking for people with that kind of humility that enables them to be entrusted with great destiny.

Prayer
Lord, I am your servant. May I be found obedient to your plans for my life. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 16:25-27

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Scripture

All glory to the only wise God, though Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Observation

The Good News, the gospel of Jesus Christ, was hidden in the past but is now made plain. The message is now preached to the Gentiles everywhere.

Praise be to God!

Application

Hallelujah! God’s grace is open to everyone, not just Jews but every human being is able to respond to the gospel and brought into God’s kingdom.

People from every tribe, tongue and nation will be in God’s kingdom. Nobody is excluded except by their own choice.

Prayer

What an awesome God you are Father! You love everyone and have made salvation open to all. Thank you. Amen

Reflection on John 1:19-28

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Scripture

John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming.’”

Observation
John is preaching and baptising in the wilderness. The Jewish leaders send people to ask him who he is.

John replies that he is not the Messiah. This perplexes them. John tells them he is the one clearing the way for the Lord.

The Pharisees ask John what right does he have to baptise. John tells them that right there in their midst is one coming after him whose sandals he is not worthy to untie.

Application
John was very clear that his role was to announce the Messiah not to be the Messiah. Everything he did was to point people to Jesus.

This is the core reason for our existence on earth- to point people to Jesus.

Not many of us are called to preach and baptise in the desert, living on locusts and wild honey. But we are all called to bear witness to Jesus the Lord, Saviour and Messiah.

Prayer
Father, may all of my words and actions speak to others about the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

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Scripture

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances. This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Observation
This section is headed “Final Exhortations” in my bible as if they are tacked on at the end of the main body of the letter. On the contrary, they are vital to christian living.

We are to rejoice, pray and give thanks at all times. This is God’s will for us.

The Holy Spirit must not be quenched nor prophecies scoffed at. Rather we must test every word and hold on to what is good.

Application
Life in the Spirit is meant to be both joyful and realistic.

The joy is not happy-clappy plastic smiles covering over a life of disappointment or tragedy. It is the steady hope that comes from faith in Jesus- even in the mists of tragedy or suffering.

The realism is that while we are supposed to be open to the Holy Spirit, Paul recognises that sometimes we get it wrong so that flesh is manifested not Spirit. When that happens we just evaluate what a person is saying. If it is from the Lord, receive it and if not then ignore it.

Whatever we do, we must not quench the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is given to draw individuals and whole congregations closer to the Father, so let’s exercise that ministry.

Prayer
Lord, grant me your joy, that confidence that knows nothing can separate me from your love, and let your Holy Spirit flow out of me to lead others to you. Amen.

Isaiah 40:1-11

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Isaiah40.1-11I thought it might be instructive to construct a “Wordle” from the passage I am preaching this Sunday.

The size of each word is proportional to the number of times it appears. The “her” is Jerusalem and the “he” is the Lord.

As usual, it’s all about relationships- God and His people

Reflection on Mark 1:1-8

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Scripture

“I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”

Observation
Isaiah the prophet wrote, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way.” Mark tells us this messenger was John.

John appeared, baptising in the wilderness and preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins. Everyone came out to confess their sins and be baptised.

John told them that someone more powerful and more praiseworthy than him was coming. While John baptised with water, the Messiah would baptise with the Holy Spirit.

Application
John was the one who prepared the way for Jesus to come in. He prepared the hearts of the people for a new move of God.

John was not the main player. He pointed people to Jesus who would baptise with the Holy Spirit.

We are not required to convert people, but just to point them to Jesus. It takes a Saviour and the Holy Spirit to bring a person to salvation. All we can do is show the way.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for John the Baptist whose role was to prepare people for what was to come. Help me to likewise show the people around me that they need Jesus. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Peter 3:8-15

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trust

Scripture

But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Observation

With the Lord, a thousand years is the same as a day. He is not slow to keep His promise. Rather He is patient, holding back the day of judgement until all who are willing come to repentance.

The Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly like a thief. The old earth and heavens will be destroyed and replaced by a new earth and heaven.

We ought to live as the people of light not in darkness, looking for eternity and being spotless and blameless.

Application

We live in the end times. Jesus could return at any time. We think it’s been a long time, but from God’s perspective we are only in the third day.

We think that God is slow to keep His promises. The problem is with our appetite for instant solutions and our inability to see the long term. We need to learn to look at time in the light of eternity.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you are working in my life. Sometimes I can’t see this because I want quick fixes. Please help me to trust in your timing. Amen.