As Jesus nears Jerusalem, both the Pharisees and his disciples have expectations about the coming of the Kingdom of God. Jesus corrects some misunderstandings and reminds us that the Kingdom is in our midst and also still to come. As we live on this side of Jerusalem, we too must not miss the Kingdom in our midst while also being prepared for His return and firm in the faith as we wait.

How much should we care that gospel resources are not evenly spread around the world, or even across Sydney? Paul’s desire was that there be material equality amongst God’s global people – is it right to extend this to a ‘gospel equality’? Jesus’ sacrifice is key for Paul and it sets a heart-direction for us.

Rather than commit harm, followers of Jesus forgive harm. In doing so, they reflect God’s character and lead people to Jesus.

In this well-known parable Jesus graphically spells out the consequences of serving anything other than God, in this case money. Jesus’ call is for the listener to live with God as their master, and to demonstrate this by the way they use the resources he’s given them.

Faced with the sudden crisis of losing his job, a desperate manager made strategic present decisions based on future certainty. Jesus commended him – not for dishonesty, but for his shrewdness: sharp foresight, rigorous analysis and careful, practical planning. The parable shows that Jesus expects his disciples to do likewise, faithfully making the most of our resources now, with the certain future in mind. He concludes with a warning about money: make Jesus, not your finances, your master.

This parable about a dad with two boys is one of the most well-known of Jesus’ parables. Yet its message about Jesus’ ministry and what God is like is surprising. Like the shepherd and the woman in the first part of this chapter, the father is the main character of this parable. Amazingly, the whole chapter points us to a joyful God who delights in our salvation.

There are many things we could focus on during our time at SMBC. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, he gives us a pattern for ministry that we must begin to practice now. Jesus’ pattern of ministry involves loving people, even when they oppose us, because it points to Jesus’ death for us.

Life is full of great expectations but also bitter disappointments. In Genesis 35 we see those two realities woven together. As we reflect on this chapter it helps us to know how to live in hope amid the ups and downs of a life following Jesus.

This sermon engages with the topic of sexual violence against women. If that topic is likely to cause you distress, then you may want to consider where and with whom you listen to this sermon.

Violence against women is always condemned in Scripture. The Old Testament often recounts violence against women to indicate the depth of Israel’s unfaithfulness and moral decline. Genesis 34 reminds us that we cannot pursue the kingdom by sacrificing those to whom the kingdom belongs.

After wrestling with God, Jacob faces the hard and daunting task of being reconciled with Esau. As these two brothers become reconciled after 20 years of a broken relationship, we see evidence of God’s work in their lives enabling them both to engage willingly in reconciliation. This snapshot from their lives provides us many helpful insights into the important life skill of reconciliation that we all need to master in our lives.