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Three crosses silhouetted against the night sky

Easter – He is risen! (Matthew 28:6 & Psalm 22:22-31)

He is risen! Happy Easter day! Today we look at the resurrection of Jesus: the central miracle that all of Christianity is based on, including our hope of salvation. What happened, and why should we believe it really happened?

Our passage:  Matthew 28:6 & Psalm 22:22-31. Preacher: Ian Bayne (12th April 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Easter Sunday service 12/04/20 – Sermon starts at 12:35

The Crucifixion

We gathered on Good Friday to remember the crucifixion. As Jesus died on the cross he uttered the words in Psalm 22:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

Psalm 22:1 ESV

After he had died, before the end of the day the soldiers came round to break the legs of those not yet dead in order to make sure the sentence had been carried out. They pierced his side with a spear to confirm and blood and water came out. This gave them proof that he was dead, so they didn’t need to break his legs.

After he died, his body was released to Joseph of Arimathea who placed it in his personal tomb. Aware of what he thought of as a cult following the governor Pontius Pilate set a guard over the tomb.

The Resurrection

The passage we are looking at in Matthew 28 then runs through what happened next:

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. [2] And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [4] And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. [5] But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. [6] He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:1-6 ESV

The cross was a means of sentencing people that the Romans didn’t like to death. The resurrection is incredible and miraculous – unlike anything else in history.

Think about it: Christians believe someone was:

  • proven to be dead.
  • dead for three days – by which time their body would have been decomposing
  • rose again.

Why believe Easter happened?

We as Christians, believe this happened, just as He said. This is what Easter is about.

Christians believe this is true for four main reasons.

We believe because of:

1. Who said it

When deciding whether to believe someone we look at the character of who said it. During this time of uncertainty, we are all looking at the source of information in order to avoid being taken in by fake news.

“Just as He said” refers to Jesus. According to scripture, it was impossible for Him to lie. He was fully man and fully God.

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20:28

Jesus was the lamb without blemish – He was sinless.

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

1 Peter 2:22

2. Who he said it to

We recognise his message because of who he gave the message to.

Those who understood the scriptures and were expecting a messiah

There were many around at the time of Jesus who remembered what the Old Testament prophets had foretold:

  • Simeon when Jesus is presented at the temple (Luke 2:25-35)
  • Anna also at the temple (Luke 2:36-38)
  • Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:67-79)
  • John the Baptist (John 1:29-34)

They recognised Jesus from what the Old Testament saints had written about him many years before Jesus came into the world.

Foretold by Scripture

Not everything written in the Old Testament is explicit but there is enough written to paint a clear picture of who Jesus would be and what he would be like, for those who read it carefully. Psalm 22 that we read is a great example of this. If you get time to read, the first half of the psalm runs through the events around the crucifixion; including details such as the dividing of his garments:

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet- [17] I can count all my bones- they stare and gloat over me; [18] they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Psalm 22:16-18 ESV

The portion we read in the second half (Psalm 22:22-31) speaks of the goodness of God and an enduring testimony arising from Jesus’s act. Similar acts of obedience and sacrifice have been witnessed throughout the Bible.

  • Enoch walked with God and was no more (Gen 5:21-24)
  • Abraham offered to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22 & Hebrews 11:17-19)
  • Elijah was taken up to heaven (2 Kings 2)
  • Jonah was in the belly of a fish for three days (Jonah 1:17)

Jonah’s experience is highlighted by Jesus as an example of what he had come to do:

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Matthew 12:39 ESV

His enemies

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

John 2:19 ESV

He had nothing to hide.

His disciples

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

Matthew 16:21 ESV

Paul repeats the narrative of the resurrection in his letters. There were over 500 witnesses.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. [6] Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. [8] Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV

3. As convicted by the Holy Spirit

The resurrection is something so profound that God has given us help to understand it.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jeremiah 31:33 ESV

The crucifixion is like a burning bush: evidence of an event too important to ignore. We have to look into it and see for ourselves what has happened.

And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”

Exodus 3:3 ESV

4. We have personal experience of fellowship and communion with the risen saviour

In the days following the resurrection, Jesus’s disciples physically experienced His presence as he ate and drank with them. His disciple Thomas famously doubted:

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

John 20:24-25 ESV

Jesus appears to Thomas specifically, and Thomas confirms that it is Him.

While we can’t have a physical relationship, Jesus is alive and Christians have an active relationship with him: sustaining and protecting the church. We see his sovereign control through answered prayer, world events and in creation itself.

Easter is still remembered

The book of Revelation speaks of a vision of the end times in the form of apocalyptic literature. In chapter 5 Jesus is depicted as a lamb.

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5:6 ESV

Note that the lamb is standing as if it had been slain. It’s a striking figure to consider.

As you may remember from previous sermons I was a sheep farmer producing prime lamb for market. Speaking from experience, there is not one lamb who has stood after they have been slain.

Jesus was slain, but He was raised. Revelation 5 speaks of the lamb being sovereign over the land today, powerful and worshipped by all of creation. Today we have fellowship with a living saviour who was slain for us so that we may have a relationship with him.

What will you remember this Easter?

Part of my family’s Easter tradition was going with my father to visit my grandmother’s grave. We would give thanks to a mother who had prayed for him and nursed him during his early years of suffering when he couldn’t walk. Easter Sunday was his first day walking after suffering from Polio and we would give thanks that he was healed.

40 years ago I met Glenys at a Christian camp over Easter. While our wedding anniversary is later in the year, we think of Easter as our actual anniversary.

We may remember 2020 as the Easter of lockdown so that we don’t spread covid-19.

But whether a family event, the beginning of a relationship, or something like we’re going through now: it will be forgotten.

An event happened 2000 years ago that has not been forgotten. Christ has risen just as He said. In 2000 more years I can guarantee, people will still remember.

This is a savour who has risen from the dead and offers us a relationship with our God and eternal life. He cares for us so much that He died for us. He is a saviour we can trust in.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.



Three crosses silhouetted against the night sky

Easter – His gift to us on Good Friday (Galatians 6:14)

On Good Friday, we are reminded of the costly sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us to offer us a relationship with Him. But there are many alternative ideas floating in our society. How do we know which to trust? And what does Easter mean for us today?

Our passage:  Isaiah 53:4-12 & Galatians 6:14. Preacher: Ian Bayne (10th April 2020).

Watch the sermon

Good Friday Service – sermon starts at 13:00

The Crucifixion on Good Friday

What happened?

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14 ESV

We’re looking today at the first half of this verse written 2000 years ago by the apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus in modern-day Turkey. Paul is writing about the very first Easter weekend, and the events that happened on Good Friday.

Good Friday is the traditional day when Christians give thanks to God for Jesus. He paid the penalty for our sin by being crucified on a cross by the Romans around the year 30AD.

Why does it matter?

Sin is the mental, moral and active disobedience to God’s requirements. It’s not just grievous sin like murder or theft, anything less than perfection is sin.

It’s not that some people do sin and some don’t, or even about who sins less than someone else. This is not relevant. No one can keep such a standard: everyone sins, and there is no distinction; no second prize for coming close.

For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 3:22b-23

Yet God requires each one of us to be holy and righteous. If we’re certain to fail, why would He ask us to do this? Put simply, His ask is not about our own capability, but His capability.

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

Continuing on to Romans 3:24

This free gift given by Him is what frees us from sin and redeems us. In our verse in Galatians 6:14 Pauls shows that the Cross is a two-way exchange. Our sin is given to Christ, and His righteousness is given to us.

The cross is the meeting place for us and God.

God’s requirement for justice is satisfied – the punishment has been taken. And through this God’s love and forgiveness is fully expressed. He’s given us a way out of sin.

To many Christians, the cross is a powerful symbol that represents God putting right what is wrong.

The alternatives

In the world there are alternate ideas:

  1. Say sin doesn’t exist
  2. Accept sin exists, but deny it matters: Doing something wrong only matters if we’re caught and face consequences.
  3. Redefine right and wrong: much of our law and culture is based on Judeo-Christian ethics. Things such as abortion, euthanasia and marriage are being treated as political issues and re-defined.

If the law of the land is being changed to something that was previously considered wrong, does that make it right?

The majority can do so in parliament, or through a referendum. Society’s views are influenced and enforced by education through guilt and through thought police on social media. Freedom of speech does not always apply.

The consequences

Industrialisation also provides a challenge, when great dollar can be made at the expense of the planet and the most vulnerable in society. It’s not necessarily wrong for people to want to change this. Caring for the environment is a very Christan principle under our general stewardship mandate (Gen 2:15).

The problem is how it’s being dealt with: through social engineering and trying to make people feel guilty about what is being done to the planet, or how people are treated. A negative message rarely works.

Carbon emissions are an example. We’ve been given a lot of education over many years, but few have listened and even today (pre-March) progress was slow.

It’s ironic that one virus has done more to save the climate than all the actions taken over the last few years.

The problems our society and ecosystem face lie deeper than guilt education or social engineering can overcome. These methods are treating the symptoms rather than the cause.

The true answer to these challenges, wrongs and sin is the cross: a horrible instrument of torture and death which Jesus died on around 2000 years ago.

The challenge of Good Friday

The cross does not seek to deny there is sin in the world or the effect it has. It defines sin, and promises that wrong and sin can be overcome.

Paul says that he has nothing to boast in except the cross of Christ. What does he mean? What is he calling us to do?

1. To admit

I need to admit I am part of the problem. Jesus suffered and died for my sin. I ought to have been on the cross, but he died for me.

2. To accept

We accept and trust in Jesus alone to make us right with God. Our sin is placed on him, his righteousness is placed on us. No sin is too big.

He will forgive if you ask him.

3. To continue on

Go forward in his strength and power. True forgiveness begins with a change of heart. If we change the heart, the world will be changed as well.

Christians and the church don’t always get things right. This is not because the cross is not adequate, but because God’s followers have failed to understand and apply the commands contained in scripture.

If you have been hurt or discouraged by the Christian faith, or our poor communication of it, then I apologise for the past sin of the church, and my own part in it. But the truth and the cross is still the only true antidote to all that is wrong in the world, nothing can change this reality.

Forbid it that we should boast in anything else.

On Good Friday we remember our saviour. We pray that He will help us trust in him and become righteous to avoid judgement and receive his freely given gift of salvation.

16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Resources

Join us on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection.

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.



Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd II (Psalm 23:2 & Hebrews 3:1-11) – He makes me lie down in green pastures

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:2 ESV

We’re continuing our series in Psalm 23 in the midst of our national Level 4 alert, recognising that these are anxious times for many. The familiar truths in one of the most familiar passages of the bible can help us appreciate God’s power and sovereignty in this time.

Our passage:  Hebrews 3:1-11 & Psalm 23:2. Preacher: Ian Bayne (5th April 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Service recording. Sermon starts at approximately -38:50

Recap

We have turned to Psalm 23 in these difficult times. In times of anxiety, we can fall back on familiar truths. For me as a former sheep farmer, this psalm has special relevance and I want to share more of this today.

Last week, looking at verse 1, we saw how we are shepherded by the LORD Almighty; our shepherd. We are his sheep and he has made a covenant (or promise) with us. With good shepherding, a flock will be productive. Likewise we are also more productive if we are well looked after, so let’s trust in a shepherd who can do this.

We are to be dependent on our shepherd so we might live by faith and trust Him to provide for us. By doing this, we appreciate our own inabilities and His power in contrast.

We’re also called to trust him because he’s good. He has saved us and given his life for us. When we go astray and fail to look to Him, He guides us and will bring us back. We are in safe hands. No one will destroy us or take us from his fold.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,[a] is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

John 10:28-30 ESV

Our salvation is not based on our will, by what we do, but is a free gift from God that we do not deserve. Salvation is by grace only. We can’t earn it.

Paul explains this in his letter to the Ephesian church:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

Explanation

This week we’re looking at verse 2:

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:2 ESV

This is a picture of rest. Imagine a river running quickly through the mountains. As the rivers reach the plains below they slow down. There is much feed for sheep on the fertile plains. A place where we can relax.

Imagine a flock of sheep who are well fed. They are lying down, content in that place. As believers, we can also be content for many reasons.

To remedy a common misconception: a sheep will never lie down on its side. If a sheep is horizontal there are two possible reasons: it could be giving birth, or it could be dying.

That is not the picture here. We would say it’s sitting down with its legs folded under it. If it was still hungry it wouldn’t be sitting down.

In this fertile field, many sheep are lying down

When a sheep is lying down it will be ruminating. Sheep have 4 parts to their stomach. Like with cows, they regurgitate what they have eaten back into their mouth to grind it down further and help with digestion.

Imagine a flock of sheep lying down in a valley with plenty of feed. They are chewing the cud.

For a sheep to maintain its weight it needs around 1kg of dry matter per day. In this picture there is adequate food to grow and put on weight and there is plenty of water. That the water is still is more about the pasture being a place of rest. Sheep will drink water whether still or otherwise if they are thirsty.

Application

Good news!

Our verse today is a picture of very good news. The gospel of Jesus is how we enter into this rest.

but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope…[8a] do not harden your hearts… [11] and I swore “they shall not enter my rest”

Hebrews 3: 6, 8a and 11 ESV

We are to “hold fast” to Jesus so that we may enter his rest.

Rest

The writer of Hebrews is quoting Psalm 93:7-11 to encourage faithfulness. The psalm talks about the Israelites in the Old Testament “harden[ing] your hearts” and “always going astray”. They could not “enter [his] rest”.

At this point the readers of the letter to the Hebrews (who knew their Old Testament well) would have remembered Psalm 95:

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

Psalm 95:7-8 ESV

All of these passages are referring to the rest described in Psalm 23:2. To rest we must be dependent on the shepherd, and Psalm 23:2 gives us a picture of a shepherd providing all his sheep need.

Preparation

But, the days of plenty never last. While there’s plenty of feed in v2, in verse 4, trouble has arrived and the shepherd acts.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 ESV

In our verse today we have a picture of rest and plenty, corresponding to the good times we experience in our lives. Like the sheep do, we should use this a time of preparation.

Bears need to hibernate. They prepare throughout summer and autumn for the coming winter by eating as much as they can and building fat reserves. Sheep, to a lesser extent, need to also prepare for long hard winters.

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2

The apostle Paul says to his apprentice Timothy that we need to be ready in season and out of season.

Meditation

Practically speaking, preparation starts with meditation. We’re not talking about Eastern meditation to empty one’s head. Christian mediation does the opposite.

To be ready, we need to be like the sheep in times of rest, ruminating on their food. Our food is the Word of God, and the time spent with Him in prayer. We want the Word of God to become effective in our heart in order to change us.

We want to take information in from God’s word, chew it over, and let it work in us. This will allow us to: appreciate, understand, interpret and apply God’s Word in times of trouble.

Appreciation of God

Meditation allows us a sense of appreciation. We think of verses like:

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV

We think over these verses, and it raises a spirit of praise and worship in us.

Cognition (understanding) of God’s Word

Meditation also allows us to grow in our cognition: our true understanding of God’s word. Scripture is a great teacher.

Interpretation of God’s Word

With a better understanding of scripture, we become better able to interpret scripture. The meaning of most scripture is plain, but where it isn’t we need to use scripture to interpret scripture.

Application of God’s Word

True action results from God’s word in our hearts. Thought over, ruminated, chewed over.

God’s words to Joshua, as he took over from Moses, show the importance of God’s word:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:8 ESV

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 ESV

This extends to teaching our children

You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

Deuteronomy 11:18 ESV

Summary

We can see a picture of the good news. Hopefully you have received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.

A picture of preparation. These are difficult times. Perhaps verse 4 is more applicable, but by the provision of God’s word during the good times, we might stand firm and draw strength from him in this time.

It’s a great privilege to say “our father who art in heaven”, and to experience the very presence of God and exist in the light of his word.

Practical helps

It’s all well and good to say we should meditate on our passage, but what does this mean. Because we have some time I want to give some practical help for doing this.

We can think of ourselves as pessimists and optimists. It’s not that someone is one or the other all of the time. Sometimes we feel more one way or the other.

Practical advice for Pessimistic times

There are plenty of passages where Gods people are pessimistic.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9 ESV

Sometimes we are in an anxious state. Philippians 4:8 gives a list of things to think about and dwell on. Philippians 4:9 then says to practice them.

Practical advice for Optimistic times

If we’re optimistic then we can look to both creation and God’s word for opportunities to praise him.

General revelation: through Creation

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 19:1

Ps 19 talks about God’s general revelation in verses 1-6; how God speaks to all of His creation. When we’re optimistic we can look at animals, nature, the skies. We can find opportunities to praise him for these things. All creation declares God’s glory and reveals his knowledge, and sovereign care and control.

We serve a God who takes care of us, directs us and is sovereign. He works all things out according to his purpose:

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

Ephesians 1:9 ESV

Special Revelation: through His Word

The remainder of the psalm speaks about God’s special revelation through his Word in Psalm 19:7-14. The Word of God can be described in many ways:

The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring for ever;
the rules[d] of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.

Psalm 19:7-9

Psalm 19:10-13 expands on the last point around the rules, or judgements of God. They show us the truth of God, are more desirable than gold, and are a warning not to sin. They give us an assurance that if we do sin, God will forgive us.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 John 2:1

God’s Word gives us the power to overcome sin. As the psalmist says, so we can say:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

For further study on Psalm 19, please see our Grace Devotional:



Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd I (Psalm 23:1 & John 10:1-18) – The Lord is my shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want

Psalm 23:1

As the national restrictions continue during this troubling time, we continue our mini-series of encouragements. Psalm 23 is a great psalm many of us will be familiar with. In times of trouble, our hearts are full and our minds are confused. We need to remind ourselves of old truths and seek dependence, trust and security from God.

Our passage:  John 10:1-18 & Psalm 23. Preacher: Ian Bayne (29th March 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Sermon starts at -28:45

Introduction

The second reason for covering this today is a more personal one. Before called to ministry I was a sheep farmer, like my father and grandfather. My home was a loving and caring Christian home.

Every night, the last thing before going to bed would be to pray with my father, and he would get me to learn scripture by heart. The first Psalm I learned was Psalm 23 so it is very special.

Explanation

Even just looking at verse 1 in detail today, the psalmist wants us to know four things:

  1. There is a shepherd
  2. The shepherd is the LORD
  3. The LORD owns sheep
  4. The LORD takes care of His sheep

1. There is a shepherd

A flock of sheep needs a shepherd to stop them wandering, to lead, direct them and keep them safe from harm.

Shepherds are burdened to keep the sheep. There are two kinds of shepherd:

  • The hired hand – who is looking after the sheep for payment
  • The owner of the sheep – who has a vested interest in their welfare because it affects the amount of wool and lambs they will obtain.

2. Our shepherd is the LORD

Fortunately “the LORD is our shepherd”, and what a shepherd He is.

The word LORD used in our English translations is the Hebrew consonants: Y..H..W..H. It’s the Lord’s personal name. It’s a word so special that the ancients didn’t even want to write it in full or pronounce it. Some have guessed at the pronunciation, but we don’t know for sure.

In the New Testament Jesus proclaims his status by saying he’s the good shepherd (John 10) and the I AM:

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

John 8:58

This echos what God said to Moses when he revealed His name.

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”

Exodus 3: 14

Jesus is claiming to be God. (In John 8:59 the Jews attempt to stone him for blasphemy because of this)

3. The LORD owns His sheep

In John 10 we see how the LORD is not a hired hand, but an owner who cares for His sheep.

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  13  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:12-15 ESV

Notice the passage says “the lord is MY shepherd” (Psalm 23:1 (emphasis added). He has entered into a deeply personal relationship with us. The Song of Solomon parallels something of the depth of this relationship:

My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 2:16 ESV

He recognises his sheep to be his. As a sheep farmer by trade, I can say that a farmer really knows his sheep. Even with many thousand sheep, it’s possible to get to know many of them as you tend them regularly, and they have different personalities. If a neighbour’s sheep got in, I would know.

4. There’s a covenant agreement

There’s a promise made in this verse:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1 ESV

In the New Testament we see this again:

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 ESV

There’s an agreement that he will supply all our needs. The rest of Psalm 23 is expanding on this point and showing us what this means.

Application

There are three applications we can take from this:

  1. dependency
  2. trust
  3. security

1. Dependency

It’s common to say that sheep are dumb. This saying seems to have originated from a misinterpretation of a passage in Isaiah. The passage prophesies about Jesus, where he’s likened to a sheep. The scene is when Jesus is before Pontious Pilate being questioned about the charges being brought against him.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isaiah 53:7 King James Version. The newer ESV uses “silent” instead of “dumb”.

Dumb has come to mean stupid. But it’s not the case, it simply means silent. Sheep are intelligent, but they are dependent.

The fall in Genesis 3 was a result of man’s quest for independence. When we’re dependent on God we will follow and trust in Him, and He will provide for us.

for we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

We must walk in humility according to God, even if this seems counter-cultural.

These are strange days. The covid-19 virus is something we can’t control and therefore we must depend on God. As we grow in dependence, we also grow in humility.

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.

2 Corinthians 13:9 ESV

The smaller we become, the greater our appreciation of God. And what a God we have.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:16 ESV

He is providing for his children

2. Trust

He knows us and we can know him. He saved us by giving his life for us.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:11 ESV

He cares for us.

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

And gently leads us to pastures new and through difficult times

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

He is still seeking and saving those who are lost. He goes out of His way to look after each one of us individually.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. [12] What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? [13] And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. [14] So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:10,12-14 ESV

We will all take wrong turns in life. He will take us back to the safety of the fold.

3. Security

When I was growing up, every boy played Rugby Union. Didn’t play anything else, not the round ball game, the hockey ball game or the other rugby ball game; just Rugby Union.

One player in my team was chosen to be full-back for every game because this player would always catch and would never drop the ball. He had a “safe pair of hands”.

Are we not in safe hands? We “shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. [30] I and the Father are one.”

John 10:29-30 ESV

Our security in him doesn’t depend on our ability to have faith or belief. Our faith is in the good shepherd who seeks us when we are lost.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10 ESV

The good shepherd comes for us, not for us to simply have life, but to have life abundantly.

Who do you want to be your shepherd? A thief? A hired hand? Or the good shepherd with a life of ultimate peace and security?

Our text

The LORD Is My Shepherd

A psalm of David

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord
    for ever.[g]

Psalm 23:1-6 ESVUK (C)2001 Crossway Bibles

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

We didn’t sing this due to livestreaming restrictions, but here it is!


The tower of Babel

Our way or God’s way? How to deal with Covid-19 (Genesis 11:1-11)

Due to normally meeting in a school, we’re affected by restrictions earlier than other churches. This week as our first livestreaming the service, it is a good time to step out of our series to look at what the current covid-19 pandemic means for us using two examples from the Bible. Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected.

Our passage:  Genesis 11:1-11 & Ephesians 2:18-22. Preacher: Ian Bayne (22nd March 2020).

Watch the sermon

Livestream 22/03/20 (starts at -23:02). See the order of service for more details.

Introduction

Our passages today reflect two contrasting contacts with God that involve building. One in Genesis which shows a human plan for glory, and one in Ephesians, which is God’s plan for glory.

Our way: The tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1-11 is the famous Tower of Babel passage. This is set early in the biblical timeline, shortly after God had commanded the people to be fruitful and multiply.

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it

Genesis 1:28

But the people were not doing this.

And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

Genesis 11:2 ESV

They thought it was better to stay in one place. They are rebelling against God.

And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar.

Genesis 11:3

Notice they do not use natural stone or mortar (God’s materials). They had to manufacture bricks and mortar themselves because the land did not have those materials.

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”

Genesis 11:4

Building the tower was a hopeless attempt to gain access to heaven. Notice their motive: they wanted to make a name for themselves. They wanted to be great. They are deliberately rebelling against God’s command, and are wanting protection.

And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built.

Genesis 11:5

They do not get anywhere near heaven, nor can they. The Lord has to “come down” to see the tower (because it’s so small).

Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused[a] the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

Genesis 11:11

As a result of their rebellion, God comes down and confuses their language, scatters the people, and humbles them. The very opposite of what they were trying to achieve and avoid.

Today the effect of a small insignificant virus like covid-19 is scattering people and shows humans that we are not in control. He is humbling us.

God’s way: a holy temple and kingdom

In Ephesians 2:18-22 God is building:

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. [22] In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[e] the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:20-22

He is building a holy temple to Himself, that includes us and gives us access to God. We are part of it.

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,[d] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Ephesians 2:18-19

Ephesians 2 contains God’s plan and building contract. Look how different it is from Genesis 11. A superstructure is being built that includes us today: the Kingdom of God. This time it is completed according to God’s plan, by God, with materials He has created.

God has done extensive preparation, and built a solid foundation, unlike the Genesis 11 account which is built on an idea at the time.

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Ephesians 2:20

The apostles refer to the New Testament, the prophets refer to the Old Testament. We have both available to us.

This time the motive of building the temple is to reach God and be part of His plan and Kingdom. By being a part of His plan and participating in building the Kingdom, we are exalting His greatness. This motive is pleasing to God.

Application

What is the result of this building that God has established?

1. Confusion is overcome – peace is established

In the tower of Babel story, the people are confused and scattered. In this building peace is established.

You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3

2. The scattered are brought home

We will be brought home being “fellow citizens” and “no longer aliens”

1 Peter 1:1 ESV

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Here they are being referred to as aliens, but in our passage they are being brought near and into through the tabernacle.

3 After humility comes repentance

We are insignificant. The covid-19 virus proves that – everything has been turned upside down. Society and the economy have been humbled. We cannot help ourselves or control what’s going on around us.

God is declaring that He is God and we are not. Even the best medical advancements can only stave off death for 100 years or so. We cannot fully protect ourselves and this is a cause of fear to many.

We must trust God and place ourselves in His hands. He is sovereign and “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph 1:11b)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:5-6

He is mighty and he cares for us. In due time this trial will be over.

But for all of us watching and reading: Which building will you choose to meet God? Will you choose man’s plan like the Tower of Babel, or God’s plan through the church, where Christ is the cornerstone?

4. After repentance comes praise and exaltation of God

What is the motive for our choice: for our own glory or for God’s glory.

We cannot avoid death, from the covid-19 virus, or other sources. God’s way offers a promise of eternal life.

For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

For Christians, death is not the end, but an entry to eternal life.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV

Those who will live forever will enter the temple built by God.

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)

Hebrews 9:11 ESV

Even in the early days of the Old Testament: Abraham was looking forward to a city whose architect was God.

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

Which way will you choose?

But no matter how many times you go to church, or do ‘good things’ we still fall short. We can’t build a building tall enough to reach heaven. The tower of Babel was futile.

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:20 ESV

We can’t manufacture enough bricks or tar to reach the heavens ourselves. Only through Jesus can we enter into the presence of God. He wants us to join Him in this great building project. Will you?

We need to trust God’s Word as our guide to lead us to the Lord.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.



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The Kingdom Parables 6 (Matthew 13:47-50)

We come to the next parable in our series on the Kingdom Parables: the parable of the drag net. This parable shows how the Kingdom will touch the lives of everyone in the world, and how we must measure up to enter the Kingdom and be spared the fate of those who don’t.

Our passage:  Matthew 13:44-46 (OT Reading: Zechariah 2:1-5). Preacher: Ian Bayne (15th March 2020).

Recap

In this series, we’re looking at a number of parables (or stories used to illustrate a real-world point) that Jesus is using to teach us about the “Kingdom of Heaven”. Each parable describes a different aspect.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been looking at the Kingdom as being a great treasure. This week we’re looking at the Kingdom being a giant fishing net. Fishing was a common occupation at the time of Jesus.

Explanation

1. There is a net which is thrown into the sea.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.

Matthew 13:47

This reminds us of when Jesus first called his disciples. Peter and Andrew were both fishermen.

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. [19] And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 4:18-19 ESV

With a fishing rod and line, we can catch one or two fish at a time. But commercial fishing trawlers catch vast amounts of fish in nets. For this parable we’re thinking about a net catching lots of fish in one go – think commercial fishing.

“Fishing” is done by preaching God’s word (the Bible). This may not always be at the front of church like now, but could be in the conversations we have, and how we live out our lives.

After Jesus was crucified and ascended, the disciples were scattered and they went and shared the gospel (the good news of Jesus dying to save us from our sins).

We don’t need to be selective in how we do this. This is not line fishing for a specific fish. We are called to put out the big net for the kingdom. The sea is vast and we don’t know what will be caught.

2. There is a diverse catch of fish “of every kind”

A fishing net is not selective – it can catch many things. When we are “fishing for the Kingdom” we are not called to read hearts when we share the gospel – this is God’s job. We are simply to share the gospel.

3. There will be a sorting.

When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. [49] So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous

Matthew 13:48-49 ESV

As mentioned, the sorting of the fish is a task given to the angels at the end of the time. They will use God’s wisdom to do this.

4. There will be consequences.

  • The good fish go into containers and have a value.
  • The bad fish will be put aside and thrown into the furnace

If Jesus is referring to us as the fish, then this sorting has implications.

Application

Sorting fish

Fishermen sort their fish when they get a large catch. How do they do this?

They look at three attributes:

  • Size
  • Type
  • Value

Size

Snapper fish caught
Snapper (credit: wikimedia commons)

When out fishing in the Cook Strait, off the coast of Wellington, any Snapper fish caught that measure under 27cm need to be thrown back into the sea so they can grow bigger. In this parable, the fish are not thrown back, but discarded and put into a furnace.

Jesus is, of course, speaking in a spiritual sense. We’re not saying people of a certain physical size don’t make it in.

We are measured in relation to the Lord Jesus. He was the one who attained the length of a good fish. Only He can fulfil the criteria to enter the Kingdom.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 3:32 ESV

We would be in the discard bin, but for Jesus’s sacrifice and offer to make us citizens of the Kingdom if we trust in Him.

Type

In the Cook Strait, when fishing below 100m deep we get bluenose which are good eating fish. There are also other fish that can be caught: Gemfish and Barracuda.

Gemfish caught
Gemfish (credit: wikimedia commons)
Barracuda swimming
Barracuda (credit: wikimedia commons)

Gemfish are good eating fish. A barracuda looks identical to a gemfish, but they go around cleaning up dirt at the bottom of the ocean. You can only tell them apart when you fillet them as the barracuda have live worms in their flesh and need to be thrown away.

Some fish look very similar to other fish.

We don’t have to sort the fish. We have God’s wisdom and His angels will do the job of sorting them.

Value

Some fish might be ok to eat, but have no value on the market.

How does this translate to our parable?

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

James 2:14

Our value comes through bearing ‘fruit’ or ‘works of faith’. There are some good people who aren’t Christians who give lots of money, called philanthropists. What God is interested in is why they are doing this: who’s honour are they doing it for.

The only valuable works are those done according to faith for God’s glory.

We’re not denying God’s general grace that leads people to philanthropy, but only works done for God’s glory are valuable to Him.

How do I know if I’m a good fish?

As we can’t tell between a Gemfish and a Barracuda until it is caught, killed and filleted, we won’t see the sorting until the end times, so how do we know if we’re genuine?

Even as mature Christians we can still ask ourselves this. Are we Gemfish or Barracuda? Closer to Jesus’s disciples or Judas who betrayed him?

Three words can help us understand which type of fish we are:

  1. Desire
  2. Disappointment
  3. Determination

1) Desire

Do we desire to please God in all of your life? If that is the case it means the Holy Spirit is at work in you.

2) Disappointment

Are we disappointed in ourselves and our own sinfulness?

Christians still sin, we can’t measure up to Jesus’s sinless record. But if we sin we know that He will be our advocate, swapping his sinless record for our sinful one:

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 John 2:1

If we’re not measuring up in our thought life and the things we do, we can know that the Holy Spirit is in our lives, and a process is ongoing where we are being transformed to be more like Jesus.

3) Determination

Do we have a determination to change? Every one of us should want to make the changes that are necessary – because it’s serious if we don’t.

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

Matthew 5:29

This is what being a Christan means – we’re prepared to make the sacrifices for God, both out of fear of the consequences, and love for Him that He has rescued us.

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. [13] I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

1 John 5:11-13 ESV (emphasis added)

and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:50 ESV

Weeping means weeping with regret. Gnashing teeth is caused by anger at God, people and everything. We see some of this today as sin works in the world.

It’s a scary thought for those found lacking. The Lord means for us to take it seriously, and be determined to seek Him and the wonderful salvation that He offers.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.



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The Kingdom Parables 4 & 5 – Part 6 (Matthew 13:44-46)

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Building on our series about the Kingdom of God, that is so keenly displayed in our two familiar parables, this week we’re looking at ways to maintain our zeal for God’s kingdom, in a challenging, sinful world. It brings us back to the central point in our faith: the cross of Christ.

Our passage:  Galatians 3:24 and Matthew 13:44-46 (OT Reading: Isaiah 6:1-5). Preacher: Ian Bayne (8th March 2020).

Recap

We have been looking at the twin parables of the treasure without measure in Matthew 13:44-46 over the last few weeks: the awesome Kingdom of God has come, and we are called to be a part of it.

As Christians, we are citizens of the Kingdom and have gained the treasure. Wherever Christians meet, Jesus promises to be in our midst, to grow us, and to love us.

This is a kingdom worth looking for, liquidating for and loving with all our hearts.

We’re expanding on what it means in practice to be a lover of the kingdom: to share it, care for it and adhere to it.

To accept the Kingdom is to accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. It can be tempting to divide lordship from salvation, but that’s not what the Bible says. If we want to show love by adhering to God’s word then we will accept Jesus as Lord of our lives.

since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:16 (Peter is quoting from the OT, e.g. Leviticus 11:45b)

We are not made holy through our own ability, but through God’s.

Last week, we looked at maintaining a zeal for the kingdom: to keep going to the end. We can get ground down and absorbed into the principles and ways of the world. The Bible is full of examples of people who have fallen in this way and we looked at a few last week.

Today we face challenges both specific to our times, yet similar to those faced throughout Christian history. How do we maintain our zeal for the kingdom in relation to our surroundings? How do we sustain a sensitive conscience while living in a fallen world?

Further implications: sustaining a sensitive conscience while living in a fallen world

The world is full of temptation. It can almost feel like we are required to live different lives: one around Christians, and one that helps us blend into the world and avoid being persecuted.

Even in the earliest days of the world, such temptation has been common. In the times of Genesis, Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was living in Sodom – a city described as wicked, and having committed “grave sin” (Gen 18:19).

and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked [8] (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

2 Peter 2:7-8 ESV

In Peter’s letter, he describes Lot as being a believer, tormented by the state of his city.

Today we watch as we see the laws of our nation gradually move away from God’s word, and laws and policies being brought in that make it more difficult to be a practising Christian. We can see a glimpse of what Lot experienced in our own lives.

Another example of a righteous man who was aware of the state of the world around him is Isaiah. In Isaiah 6 he receives a vision of God. Isaiah is transported into the presence of God to receive his instructions. The angels are singing “holy, holy, holy” around the presence of God, and Isaiah is in awe.

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Isaiah 6:5 ESV

He becomes acutely aware of two things:

  1. His own sinfulness
  2. He’s dwelling amongst a sinful people

Application: sustaining ourselves in the world

Let’s look at two ways we can sustain a heart longing after God in an unclean world.

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:24 ESV

We can think of this verse in terms of conversion, in that the law convicts us of our sin. When unbelievers come to realise they can’t meet the standards of the law they turn to Christ.

But there’s something more here. The verse does not apply to unbelievers coming to faith, it applies to Christians every day.

If we miss this meaning, there is a danger that we can think becoming a Christan and having the free grace of God is a licence to do whatever we like, and can distract us from our ongoing battle with sin. We need forgiveness every day, and the law helps us realise this.

Such realisations help in the way we believe in God. We are interested in the whole of the scripture.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The law describes the standard of God’s holiness. If you are not a believer then see God’s law and come to Christ for forgiveness. But believers keep on sinning. We need to be alert for this, but ultimately God is working through us for our sanctification from sin. He grants us forgiveness, and he gives us the strength to resist temptation.

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14

It brings us back to there centrality of the cross.

1) as believers, we must resist the temptation to redefine what sin is

When we see God’s law we typically either:

  1. Admit our sin
  2. Redefine right and wrong to not be sinful

Our hearts can be deceitful. They would like to redefine right and wrong rather than admit we do wrong. We have been given a new heart, but we are not yet sanctified and still prone to sin, so must be wary of our desires.

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Psalm 119:160

He is right and holy. We are not.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Proverbs 21:2 ESV

Sin leads to death, and God has already defined what that is. Regardless of what we think, God will judge us according to His law.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8 ESV

We are all sinners, without exception. Only Jesus has ever lived a sinless life.

2) allow God’s mercy to sensitise our consciousness every day

Through His kindness, mercy and grace

Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. [3] For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [5] I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Psalm 32:2-3,5 ESV

Psalm 32 is the twin Psalm to Psalm 51, which is the famous Psalm David wrote after his sin with Bathsheba. Silence brings pain. We need to acknowledge our sins before God in order to be forgiven.

As the song based on Romans 2 goes: “It’s Your kindness that leads us to the repentance, O Lord”. It is a great act of kindness to forgive us, who so often break His commands and don’t give Him the love and praise our creator deserves.

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? [5] But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Romans 2:4-5 ESV

The song is exalting the fact that God’s kindness is reaching out to us, which is a great motivator. Why wouldn’t we want to live a life that’s zealous for God if he’s reaching out to us?

Through His law, judgement and wrath

We must also allow the law of God to speak to us.

We read the requirements in the law and know he is a holy and just God. Every person deserves the holy wrath of God for even one sin, and we are all sinners.

The law is our schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24), we should allow God’s law to sanitise our conscience.

Some churches advocate reading the 10 commandments each week to remind us of our sinfulness.

(Note we can also be tempted to redefine right and wrong here, by saying “I haven’t murdered, or committed adultery”. But Jesus says: that even becoming angry with a brother, or looking with lustful intent breaks these commandments and makes us liable for judgement (Matthew 5:17-18, Matthew 5:21-22))

3) we need to hold both grace and wrath in balance

If someone is just concerned about God’s grace and not with his wrath then we water down God’s love to a weak love without discipline. But His love is perfect and it includes righteous wrath.

We live in troubling times. Christianity is being diluted or persecuted. In these days, the law of God is still valuable to believers to show us our daily sins, and remind us to head to the cross, where our treasure and citizenship of the Kingdom comes from.

That’s how we can maintain a sensitive conscience when we live in an unclean world.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

This Leslie Phillips song, referred to above, is based on Romas 2:4, speaking of God’s kindness leading us to repentance.



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The Kingdom Parables 4 & 5 – Part 5 (Matthew 13:44-46)

This week builds on our previous studies into these two rich parables, by asking: how do we look after and guard our access to the Kingdom? How do we keep it up? How do we maintain our love and ‘zeal’ for the treasure so we keep it for eternity? We’ll use examples from the life of King Asa to show how.

Our passage:  Matthew 13:44-46 and Revelation 2:1-7  (OT Readings: 2 Chronicles 14:1-8).

Recap

Lookers, liquidators and lovers of the Kingdom

We have been spending some time looking at the twin parables in Matthew 13 about the great treasure that is the Kingdom of God.

We’ve looked at how the parables show a need for us to be lookers, liquidators, and lovers; we’ve looked at what this means in practice and how we can do this. Our treasure is the awesome Kingdom of Heaven – which includes a relationship with God and eternal life with Him.

Christians are by definition, seekers of the treasure. But as we’ve seen, we can’t look for it on our own terms for material gain, friendships or respect. We have to love God and give the authority over all of our life to Him. When we call Christ “Lord” we are acknowledging his authority over us.

If He is our Saviour, He is our Lord. The two cannot be separated. Those who love the Kingdom and the pearl of great price accept the treasure of salvation, and Jesus as Lord of their life.

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

John 14:21 ESV

We do so not because we are inclined to do so ourselves, but because we are affected by God’s Word (John 1:1). We know something is innately wrong with the world as-is (sin and death), and we anticipate better things that the Kingdom offers.

Responding to the Kingdom

Our response to this amazing salvation is to share the treasure, care for it (by making sure our understanding is good and that we are worthy of it (cf. Ephesians 4:13-14), and adhere to it (by following God’s commands).

We have something wonderful. We want to share and care for it.

Until we reach the end times, we are still growing into what we will be. We still sin, we still face difficulties in life (see 1 Peter 1:6-7). We need to care for the Kingdom throughout our lifetime, and be obedient to His word regardless of what happens. This is tough.

Today we’ll look at maintaining the treasure as we run the race of life.

Further implications: Zeal for the Kingdom

Having been motivated to look for the treasure, having given all we have and now loving it, would we let it slip from our grasp, or be taken away? How do we keep hold of the treasure? How do we maintain our zeal for it?

Zeal: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective

Definition: Zeal (noun)

This is harder than we think, even for people we would look to as having “great faith”.

Last time we looked at 2 Chronicles 16, about Asa, a king of Judah in Old Testament times; leader of a nation of God’s people.

2 Chronicles 16 describes Asa’s later years when had strayed from God, and the narrative is all too familiar for Old Testament kings; most of whom “did evil in the sight of the Lord”. But in our passage today from the beginning of his reign, we read that Asa is commended for doing good:

And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.

2 Chronicles 14:2 ESV

What has happened? What has gone wrong?

How Asa guarded his kingdom

We’ll look at 6 things he did right and 4 things he did wrong through his life (it is worth reading 2 Chronicles 14-16 if you have time). By looking at such an individual, Lord willing, we might be better able to avoid his mistakes.

1. Asa cleaned the temple

He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim

2 Chronicles 14:3 ESV

We should remove the things that would want us to worship them instead of God.

2) Asa commands the people to seek after God and follow his commands

As king, he used his position to point to God, which was the correct response of an Old Testament king; remembering that God was the reason he was king, having rescued, established and protected his kingdom.

and commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment.

2 Chronicles 14:4 ESV

We also have opportunities to use our position to point people to God. How can we do this?

3) Asa uses the peace during his kingship to prepare for war

And he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars…

2 Chronicles 14:7a

There’s a saying: “You’re either coming from trouble, are in trouble, or are heading into trouble.”

It is important to prepare for trouble and “mend the roof while the sun shines”.

When things are going well is when we need to prepare for the inevitable onslaught of the fallen world around us, by fortifying ourselves.

One method for this is to learn passages from scripture and creeds (human summaries of key truths) by heart. Whilst creeds and recitals can be overused, their value is that we can recall them quickly in times of trouble, and they can give us something to anchor ourselves to when all seems to be going wrong and we can’t think clearly. Hence it’s important to have a memory-bank of these.

Psalm 18: My God is a rock is a great devotional to help us with this.

4) Asa admitted his own capability

“…The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side.” So they built and prospered.

2 Chronicles 14:7b ESV

As we discussed in point 2, everything Asa has is from God. Everything we have, including the great treasure of the Kingdom is from God. Admitting this is the first step to overcoming pride in ourselves.

5) Asa worshipped God

Throughout 2 Chronicles 14-15, Asa and the people worship God in a number of ways:

[11a] They sacrificed to the Lord on that day from the spoil that they had brought…[12a] they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord…[14a] They swore an oath to the Lord…[15]And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all round.

2 Chronicles 11a, 12a, 14a & 15

There’s no particular place or way to worship God. Worshipping God is simply the only reasonable response to who He is and what He has done for us.

nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

Luke 17:21

6) Asa disciplined his own mother because of her worship of pagan gods

Even Maacah, his mother, King Asa removed from being queen mother because she had made a detestable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron.

2 Chronicles 15:16 ESV

The Kingdom is more important than a title given to Asa’s mother.

The bond between Christians is greater than family. Not saying we shouldn’t love our families (see Ephesians 6:2), but we should love the Lord more.

When Jesus started his ministry, his family came to him. The context of the below passage was that they were coming to speak with him, and possibly to take him home. It is likely they thought he was mad.

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. [48] But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” [49] And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! [50] For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 12:46,48-50 ESV

Our family can be well-meaning, but when family want you to do something that is not right in the eyes of God, perhaps doing something else on a Sunday morning instead of worshipping Him – our Christian family is more important.

How we can guard the Kingdom better than Asa did

1) watch out for the noon day snooze.

Success in life is often followed by sleep.

  • King David was victorious, then committed adultery with Bathsheba.
  • Solomon was the wisest man in the world. He married for political alliances, and his wives led him astray.
  • Asa started trusting in human alliances with pagans, despite all the victories God had brought him

A life in Christ is filled with zeal, but the world wants to grind us down. Don’t ignore the scriptures: allow them to convict us and work through us in our lives. The process can be painful, but the scriptures are there to protect us.

2) start with the little things and build up

Like with building a fire we need to start small. This links in with our discussion of Matthew 31-33 on the parable of the mustard seed: don’t despise small beginnings.

Evie Tornquist, a gospel singer from the 1970’s, sings “it only takes a spark to get a fire going, then soon all around us will be burning” (not a recommendation, but the example springs to mind).

3) don’t dwell on the past

Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

Ecclesiastes 7:10 ESV

We need to remember as believers we have been redeemed. As God has rescued us in the past He will rescue us again “to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 3:4).

The same also applies to dwelling on pain and suffering. God is doing His work through us and sanctifying us.

4) take opportunities our failure presents, and praise God for his mercy

Even our sins are an opportunity to praise God:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 ESV

He has atoned for our sinfulness. This gives us cause to rejoice in Him. Take the opportunities to do this.

There are perhaps more opportunities to learn from God during our trials. As James wastes no time in saying in James 1:3:

Count it all [pure] joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

James 1:2-3

Wisdom for how to overcome trials is always on offer to those who ask in faith (James 1:4-5). The book of Proverbs is another useful resource.

A warning from Jesus: zeal for the Kingdom is essential

We must guard the treasure with zeal and not let go of it. Jesus says to the church in Ephesus:

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Revelation 2:4 ESV

You can go to the city of Ephesus and see the theatre where they shouted for the god of the city for two hours. The church today is a ruin. They were commended for not being tolerant of evil and testing their leaders, but in the end, they were ground down.

We should heed Jesus’s advice to them:

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Revelation 2:5 ESV

Remember his mercy, grace and love. Live the life we are called to.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 

2 Timothy 1:6 ESV

We have a great treasure. Let us guard it and finish the race.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

P.S. The song referred to above is below.



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The Kingdom Parables 4 & 5 – Part 4 (Matthew 13:44-46)

Today we’re continuing our study into what it means to love the buried treasure and pearl of great price Jesus refers to in Matthew 13:44-46, when He is talking about the Kingdom of Heaven.

Our passage: Matthew 13:44-46 (OT Readings:  2 Chronicles 16:7-10).

GCW Sermon – Preacher: Ian Bayne, 09/02/2020.

Recap

So far we have reduced these two short parables on the buried treasure and pearl of great price into three words: lookers, liquidators and lovers.

We need to look to find God’s kingdom, and then liquidate everything we have to God to gain it – this is not to deprive ourselves, but allow Jesus to direct it. Jesus is the king of the kingdom of heaven.

Last week we saw how people who gain the kingdom do so because they love the kingdom. There is an affection for it, an unexplained irresistibility towards it, an admiration for it and an appreciation for it. We saw how Psalm 18:1-2 gives 10 reasons why we should appreciate God. We anticipate the Kingdom of God and want more.

As JD Rockefeller said in response to being asked what would make him happy: “just a little bit more”. We’re talking about a kingdom that is so much more than wealth and earthly treasure.

Further implications

How big a deal is the Kingdom?

Let’s spend some more time thinking about the love that we have for the “pearl of great price” the amazing treasure that has been discovered by those who have entered into the kingdom.

Winning the lottery is a big deal – it’s a 1 in 35 million odds, and a life-changing sum of money. Those who win the lottery don’t need to work to support their family. But the kingdom is way better than winning the lottery (see also Matthew 6:19-21) – we have the pearl of eternal life; and it’s free to obtain. We don’t even need a ticket.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 ESV

We have done nothing to deserve a prize greater than winning the lottery jackpot.

What do we need to do?

1) Claim the Kingdom

What do we need to do in order to be part of the Kingdom? Jesus was asked this very question by His disciples.

Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” [29] Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

John 6:28-29 ESV

Jesus calls us to believe in Him. Paul gives us the reason for why we are called to do this in his letter to the Ephesian church:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

We are created in Jesus to complete good works that we’re prepared for beforehand. Our faith never stands alone, but is manifested, or displayed in our works. It is important to remember that our works are not to obtain our salvation, but because of our salvation. They are a response to the great treasure we have received. He’s given us such winnings that we can never imagine.

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:4 ESV

2) Look after the Kingdom

Now finding ourselves in the kingdom, we must look after it and steward it well, looking after the deposit entrusted to us (2 Timothy 1:14).
Given that we’ve liquidated all we have to obtain the kingdom, it makes sense that we look after it.

So, how do we look after it:

1) Share the kingdom
With others

The treasure is wonderful and precious. Think of museums. Their purpose is to keep treasures and precious artefacts to share with everyone. Likewise we are called to share the Kingdom, as Paul did in the early days of the church:

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV

We need to let others interact with the kingdom, building relationships with others so that they can experience it.

With our family

We also need to bequeath the treasure, as we do with all other good things we want to pass on to our children, because we want to give them a good legacy to support them.

This is a positive command that we’re given. Most of the ten commandments in Exodus 20:1-16, are negative: instructing us in what not to do. However, there are two exceptions that come with a promise:

  1. the first is keeping the Lord’s day holy (Ex 20:11) for rest and to enjoy God’s blessing
  2. the other is to honour one’s parents (Ex 20:12) so that our “days may be long in the land the Lord has given to you”

This is mirrored in a summary of the commandments given in Deuteronomy 6:1-9 which further emphasises how important it is to spend time with the Lord and our family going about the work of His kingdom, “so that your days may be long” (v2).

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV

When Abraham was called, and given a promise that he would be the father of a great nation blessed by God, the promise was ultimately for his children.

For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Acts 2:39 ESV

Our children may not come to faith, but our job is to share the Kingdom in order to bequeath it to them.

2) Care for the kingdom

We need to maintain the Kingdom. This week’s Old Testament reading (2 Chronicles 16:7-10) is about the later years of King Asa. He strayed from God’s teachings, so that a prophet had been sent to warn him that he had trusted in men rather than God.

But he started off as a good man (2 Chronicles 14). He listened to the first prophet who came to him (2 Chronicles 15), but on the second occasion in Chapter 16 he doesn’t; becoming angry at the prophet. He didn’t maintain his faith that God had given to him.

The church at Ephesus gets a similar rebuke from Jesus in His letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3.

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. [5] Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Revelation 2:4-5 ESV

Don’t let up. It is those that endured in the end that will be saved.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV
3) Guard the kingdom

Someone wants to steal the treasure we have for their own purposes. They want to use it for their own glory. Both Satan and worldly influences are motivated to steal the treasure.

We guard the treasure by adhering to the Kingdom, by following God’s commands and rejoicing in them. For example: we need to watch that our motives for attending church and seeking the treasure are for the glory of the Lord and not for us as individuals.

True Christian faith never stands alone. We are challenged to live the perfect life that Christ lived, and that our deeds in life reflect the treasure that we have.

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

John 14:21 ESV

Without such a testimony, no-one will believe that we have such a treasure.

If you haven’t already, it might be worth spending some time reading the 10 commandments in full in Exodus 20:1-17, and the summary: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, and then praying through them with the Lord.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.



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The Kingdom Parables 4 & 5 – Part 3 (Matthew 13:44-46)

Our passage: Matthew 13:44-46 (OT Readings: Exodus 20:4-6, Psalm 18:1-2).

GCW Sermon – Preacher: Ian Bayne, 02/02/2020.

Recap

This is the third week of application regarding these two short, but profound parables. We have been using three words to focus our application by giving different perspectives on the passage: Lookers (or seekers), liquidators (or sellers), lovers (or storers).

Over the last two weeks we have looked at lookers and liquidators:

1. Lookers (or seekers) – in both parables there is someone who is searching for something

  • only those who seek will find
  • our search must have the right motive
  • our search is in response to God. We love Him because He first loved us.
  • they are successful because they search for the right thing
  • they persist until they find it
  • true searchers give utmost priority to the search. The kingdom is the most important treasure to seek in this life.

2. Liquidators (or sellers) – in both parables, the seeker is willing to give all they have to secure the treasure

  • in terms of goals such as: leisure, treasure and pleasure
  • in terms of aspects such as our: opportunities, access, possibility and existability

We still engage in these things during our search for the kingdom, but we liquidate and cede them to God.

Further application

Today we’ll look at the passage from the perspective of lovers (or storers), and see what motivates us to seek the kingdom.

3. Lovers (storers)

The word storers comes from Jesus’ sermon on the mount.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Matthew 6:19-20 ESV

We need to be a lover of the treasure that is the kingdom. We will use four words to aid our application:

Affection

When we see something really beautiful we have an affection for it. For example: those who have visited the Tower of London will have seen that the crown jewels in the UK have a beauty to them.

We can’t necessarily explain how our treasure is so beautiful. The phenomenon of ‘love at first sight’ is similar. Despite the name, this is more infatuation than love because we don’t know the person, but we know there is something special about them. There’s an irresistible pull.

The kingdom is amazing and we’re attracted to it. Like the storer in each of our parable characters, we are drawn to something beautiful in it.

Admiration

There is also an admiration of what the Kingdom offers.

Some people like the taste of fine wine. If you have seen them in action, you will know that expert wine tasters take their time over tasting: they admire the look and smell before they think about tasting.

We love to look at what God has done: in Christ we have every blessing. Isn’t this amazing!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

We can smell the stench of our sin and the sweet forgiveness of Christ as we take part in Communion, where we drink red wine as a symbol to remind us of Christ’s blood. Others see the ‘aroma’ of God’s Word preached, and our deeds as we put our faith into action.

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,

2 Corinthians 2:15 ESV

But we don’t just look and see the effects of God’s Kingdom – we can experience it for ourselves.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalm 34:8 ESV

We can discover the intricacy of the kingdom through our relationship with God through His Word, prayer and fellowship with other believers.

There is nothing cheap about the kingdom. Once we have tasted it, there’s no going back. We will never be happy to settle for anything less again.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was eventually killed by the SS in Nazi Germany. He observed that much of what was being practised in religious circles was a “cheap grace” that cost nothing because it was an academic belief in some far off God that requires little response and changes nothing. We don’t want this.

We need to draw deeper into the Lord, admire Him, and never settle for skimming the surface.

Jesus, Lord of all created, invites us to have fellowship with Him – how amazing is this offer?

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

John 14:2 ESV

Appreciation

In most instances in the Bible, the word ‘love’ is a verb (doing something), however it is occasionally a passive word: an appreciative love. An example is found in Psalm 18. In two short verses we’re given 10 different reasons why we should appreciate God.

I love you, O LORD, my strength. [2] The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:1-2 ESV

For each one of these we can say: “I love you Lord because you are my…

… strength, rock (anchor), fortress (safety), deliverer (rescuer), God, refuge (rest), shield (defence), salvation (made the way to Him), horn (power), stronghold (puts a fence around us to protect us).”

These verses are just some of the reasons why we should appreciate our God.

Application

So if we have affection, admiration and appreciation for something, then wouldn’t we want more of it? Like our parable protagonists seeking and selling as much as they can to store as much as possible of it?

But we normally talk about wanting more in the negative: more money? more status? more friends? If we are seeking these things of themselves then we will always need “just a little more” and will never be satisfied.

Fellowship with Jesus? In this context, surely wanting more is good? We should never be satisfied with what we have, and earnestly seek more of His Kingdom.

A lover is a collector. Some may collect trains, wine, stamps, memories with loved ones, eventually hoarding what is most precious. Most of the time hoarding is negative, because we are hoarding created things: e.g. money, possessions. However, hoarding the Kingdom of God is a good thing.

One way we can do this is by studying His Word.

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 ESV

Don’t be satisfied with a little of the Kingdom. Get a lot: pursue it. Want more fellowship with God. We have found something of such great value; way beyond anything this world can offer. Why would we want anything else?

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.