The sermon for November 9th 29014 is now available on the New Life web-site.
In this sermon, which is based on Matthew 25:1-13, I talk about our need for more of the Holy Spirit.
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Reflection on Matthew 25:1-13
Scripture
At midnight the cry rang out: “Here is the bridegroom. Come out to meet him.”
Observation
Jesus tells a parable about being ready to meet Him.
Ten young women are waiting for a bridegroom. Five have brought spare oil for their lamps, but five have no oil. The bridegroom is late arriving and when he finally does arrive, the five foolish girls have to go and obtain oil for their lamps.
The bridegroom comes while the unprepared girls are absent. The wise girls accompany the bridegroom into the banquet but the others are locked out.
Application
The foolish girls in this story failed to provide for themselves what was needed in order to serve the bridegroom.
We must all make sure that our own relationship with God is right. Oil speaks of the Holy Spirit, light of the revelation of the gospel.
Nobody can rely on the faith of another person whether it be a parent, a spouse, a pastor or some other person. We all need our own relationship with the Lord, now before He comes.
Prayer
Father I pray for those who do not know you. May they have a revelation of your love and come into their own relationship with you. Amen.
Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Scripture
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Observation
Christians should not grieve over those who die in the same way as people who have no hope. Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that those who die in Him will come back with Him.
The Lord will come down from heaven with a loud shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet call of God. Then the dead will be raised and the living will go to meet the Lord.
Application
What hope there is for those who trust in the Lord. Those who have no faith have no hope. But those who have faith know that death is not the end of the story.
In the final days we will be united with Christ and reunited with those christians who have already gone before us.
What a joy this is, what comfort to know that death is not the end of life but a new chapter.
Prayer
Thank you Lord Jesus for dying for me that I could enter into eternal life. Please help me to keep this truth as a cause for hope. Amen.
Crazy Dreams That Might Come True
Yesterday I received one of those emails that sparks something crazy in a person.
Watoto, the organisation that supports orphans in Uganda and raises awareness by sending teams out to perform concerts around Australia, invited me to this event:
I love riding my bike.
I’ve always wanted to see the Great Ocean Road.
Raising money for Watoto would be a good thing.
The organisers look like they are fair dunkum
The ride is about 300 km from Geelong to Warrnambool- about 100 km a day. I’ve often thought about doing a really long fund-raising ride (even back when we lived at Hay I fantasised about that) and I’ve felt like 100 km a day would be challenging but possible.
The good thing about this event is that it caters for all ability types, even the cyclically challenged like me. They also supply support vehicles and mechanics.
Of course reality is that I have never in my life ridden more than 25 km in one go, so I have to ask myself if my body (and more importantly my will power) is really up to this. I would have to get used to hill climbs, so maybe a few trips up the Nandewar Ranges would be on the cards.
So why haven’t I signed up already?
Well I’ve never been a sporty person and so in one sense this is so not me.
I guess I really need to know if it is God calling me into this- or at least it is something He thinks is OK.
Really, deep down the one thing that would stop me is fear of failure. I’ve had those times when my stomach has got into knots because I’ve pushed myself too hard. What if, when it comes down to it, I try and fail? What if I have to pull out half way?
I suspect that most of what stops me from doing a lot more outrageous things than I do is that fear- fear of looking stupid, fear of not being good enough, fear of saying the wrong thing. So dreams never turn to reality.
Well I guess I won’t know what I can do if I don’t try.
More thought and prayer required!
Reflection on Joshua 24:1-33
Scripture
And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and worship him.”
Observation
Joshua gathers together all the leaders of Israel at Shechem, where he recounts to them what the Lord has done for them in bringing the out of Egypt and into their own land.
He encourages them to serve the Lord, but if that seems too hard they must decide which gods they will serve. They reply that they will serve the Lord.
Joshua warns them that if they choose to serve the Lord but later turn away from Him, then He will judge them. They say again, “We will serve the Lord.” They then make a covenant there to always serve the Lord.
Later on, Joshua dies at the age of 110.
Application
The people of Israel were positive in their assertion that they would serve the Lord. Subsequent generations moved away from that certainty.
It isn’t always easy to follow the Lord. The “gods” of this age demand our worship, and our flesh is quick to acquiesce.
When we fall, there is forgiveness, but it is better not to fall. We must try to keep our heart pure and stay alert for the tricks of the enemy. We need to wear the full armour of God (Ephesians 6) so that there is no room for undermining by satan.
Prayer
Father, you have called me to serve you and to walk in your ways. Help me to keep my focus on you alone at all times. Amen.
Today’s Sermon
Reflection on Matthew 23:1-12
Scripture
“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Observation
Jesus tells his followers that the Pharisees and teachers of the Law are the interpreters of the Law so it is right to obey their teaching. However they are hypocrites whose example must not be followed.
The teachers love attention and adulation. They love the titles of honour.
Followers of Jesus must not chase titles and positions. Rather Christian leaders must firstly be servants. Everyone who raises themselves up will be pulled down, but those who humble themselves will be lifted up.
Application
I noted just last night how nobody in our church calls me “Pastor.” The closest we get to a title is the kids who call me “Mr Keith.”
The fact is that nobody is any more exalted than anybody else in God’s Kingdom. Sure some have leadership roles, but that does not make them any more important than the people struggling to keep their life together.
To build true community means that we all have to be in it together. Nobody gets to be the boss, at least not in the sense of making burdens for other people to carry. A true leader listens to everyone’s opinion and then sets the direction.
We share the mission. We share the burdens. We share the decisions.
Prayer
Thank you Father for the gift of community, a body of followers of Jesus who commit to love you and each other. Please help those of us charged with leadership to always stay humble and focussed on serving you. Amen.
Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Scripture
For you know that I dealt with each of you as a father deals with his children.
Observation
Paul worked day and night in order to support himself and not be a burden to anyone while he preached the gospel among them.
He was righteous and blameless. He was like a father to the church, encouraging, comforting and exhorting each person to live lives worthy of God’s kingdom.
Application
Paul very much gave his heart to the church at Thessalonica. He describes himself like a mother (v. 7) and now like a father to them.
We all need spiritual fathers and mothers to help us grow into maturity in Christ. The kingdom is totally relational in character, rather than hierarchical or institutional.
Spiritual fathers will give their hearts to us, leading us into places of healing and restoration.
We need to give our hearts to our fathers also, loving and encouraging them in return.
No matter how far we progress in the life of the Spirit, there will always be people who can teach, mentor and encourage us on the journey.
Prayer
Father, I thank you for the spiritual fathers in my life. Help me to grow and mature under their care, and to reach out to others who might need me ti be a father to them. Amen.
Reflection on Psalm 107:1-9
Give thanks to the Lord
All you redeemed ones
Praise the Lord.
He brought you through deserts of
Sin and destruction
To the place of life and joy.
–
Yes Lord I love you
Jesus you saved me
On that cross you died
You redeemed me
Set me free
For eternity.
–
The desert trapped me
No way out.
The heat of hell burnt my soul.
Your living water
Revived me
Washed me
