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PASTOR'S MESSAGES September 2011
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4th September Watching a debate on TV during the week about same sex marriage, I realized that the majority of people simply don’t get it. They don’t get that God has created us to live in a particular way. They don’t get it because they are not born again. Jesus clearly teaches us, as recorded in John 3, when He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born from water and the Spirit, you cannot enter God's kingdom. Human life comes from human parents, but spiritual life comes from the Spirit. Don't be surprised when I tell you, 'You must all be born again.'” John 3:5-7, NCV. The Church is trying hard to present a message on how to live our lives but all that the world sees is an out of date group of people who are imposing their beliefs onto others. I am all for speaking up about the sin of same sex marriages as I do not feel this is helpful to our community, but neither are a whole lot of things that can describe us; things like greed, self-righteousness, pride, disunity among believers, lust, adultery and misuse of power. I keep thinking a greater witness would be to live out Jesus’ prayer for all believers from John 17:21, “Father, I pray that they can be one. As you are in me and I am in you, I pray that they can also be one in us. Then the world will believe that you sent me.” NCV. I believe we would have more impact on unbelievers if we truly loved one another and humbly presented the message that Jesus is our Guide and our Saviour. Wayne |
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11th September Maltbie D. Babcock was a very popular Presbyterian minister in New York. He loved to go for walks saying to his wife that he was going out to see his Father’s world. He wrote a poem about this and after his sudden death at age 42 in 1901, his wife Katherine had the poem published. “This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.” They lost their only son as an infant and they every right to be bitter with the world but instead he saw that this world really is amazing! But what is even more amazing is the salvation we have in Jesus. In Romans 5:12 in the Message it says, “You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we're in— first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death.” And then later in verse 17, “If death got the upper hand through one man's wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?” It truly is an amazing world! Wayne |
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18th September The kingdom of heaven operates on vastly different principles to this earthly world. In reading through Matthew’s Gospel as preparation for this Sunday, I’ve been amazed at the complete reversal of ideals. In this world a person earns their reward, but Jesus explains that God’s generosity can build up the lowliest of peoples. This world measures greatness through personal achievement, but Jesus tells his disciples that if they want to be great, then they must become servants. Our message today is looking at Jesus’ parable about the workers in the vineyard. The kingdom of heaven, Jesus says, is like a landowner who hires men throughout the day to work his vineyard, but instead of paying each man according to how long he worked, the landowner gives each man the same sum of money. Those who worked the whole day are most unhappy that the men who started late received just as much as they did. It is a complete reversal of ideals, and it is something that we as Christians must grasp. Life in the kingdom of heaven depends upon God’s generosity and grace, over our own abilities and strengths. If we fail to understand this, then just like the workers hired first, we too will become jealous when we see God expressing his generosity to others. Mick |
25th September
I enjoy going out on a boat on a river. Steering an old paddle steamer was fun as was making and then flowing down the Murray on a raft. But as for being able to see the bottom of a flowing river, especially the mighty Murray, not a chance! In Revelation 22:1, we read, Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. But this river is not just water flowing out to sea, it is not a river as we might imagine, this river is the source of life and purpose, it gives meaning. Bible Commentator, Matthew Henry says about this, All streams of earthly comfort are muddy; but these are clear and refreshing. They give life, and preserve life, to those who drink of them and thus they will flow for evermore. Many of the things that bring us comfort and security are like muddy water in comparison to all that God has to offer us.
Wayne