Jesus uses a wedding, a patched garment and new wine to challenge how we respond to him. We can be busy with religious routines while avoiding the obedience he asks of us. We can also look to him to fix one part of our lives while keeping control of the rest and lastly we need to let Jesus and his Word determine what we hold on to and what we let go.

Using Caravaggio’s The Calling of Saint Matthew as a visual thread, this message explores Jesus’ call of Levi in Luke 5:27–32. Jesus calls Levi before he has changed, but his grace leads Levi to repent, leave his old allegiance behind and place his whole life under Jesus’ authority. Yet Levi does not abandon the people and resources from his former life; he uses his home, wealth and relationships to bring others to Jesus. Through Levi’s banquet and the later example of William Wilberforce, the message challenges us to consider what we must leave behind, what we must surrender to Christ, and what God has already placed in our hands that can now be used for his purposes.

The Gospel of Christ creates a Spirit-filled people, whose shared life in community demonstrates most convincingly the reality of Christ to the world.

I urge you to give yourself fully to being a living, breathing, committed, conscientious, everyday working part of this imperfect, but powerful, community known as St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Geraldine.

Please try to live as an integral part of it!

Please don’t try to live apart from it.

Through Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, we will explore how ordinary conversations can become opportunities for God to work. Jesus crosses social barriers, begins with everyday life, listens patiently, speaks with grace and truth, and gently leads the conversation towards faith. We may not have every answer or see an immediate response, but we can sincerely share what Jesus has done, invite people to “come and see,” and leave the results with God.

As we read the entirety of God's Word we discover the origins of 'Babylon the Great' beginning in Genesis 11 with the famous Tower of Babel built in this great city.  It continues throughout history, significantly in the time of King Nebuchadnezzar, resurfacing recently in the contemporary rebuilding of this ancient city and in Revelation we hear of its corruption and final destruction.  It is defined as a person, a place and a world system.  It infiltrates every part of our lives and stands in defiance against God's heavenly kingdom.  While it may be impossible to be completely free from such a worldly influence, we are foreigners to this world, waiting in great expectation for God's coming kingdom where “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev 21:4)