20241201 6PMp RI Vision and Hope

On Vision Sunday, we look forward to what lies ahead.  In a year, or in the next four years.  There are various kinds of Hope. “Wishful thinking” type hope, or “Wait and see type hope”  e.g. Christmas,  exams, growth of children.   What is your hope?  What is your hope in Christ? In times of blessing, or in times of agony? Do we yearn for God himself, or just yearn for the blessings that God gives? Horatio Spafford in times of trying, he wrote:  When peace like a river attendeth my way , when troubles like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, “It is well with my soul.”  The Hope that comes from God is also different in that it is not dependent on us, but it depends on Him.  It is sure and certain. It is a relationship with the Living God.  Hope rests with God.  “Hopeful people are prayerful people.”  People with Hope are Bold people.  May our hearts yearn for the Living God.          Speaker: Ron Irving.

20241124 6PMpDT Some final exhortations

Many exhortations, but 3 to be considered here:

Respect your leaders: But respect is to be earned, not just demanded. It is correct that leaders should be respected, because of their good leadership.

Be patient, with everyone.  Compassionate, slow to anger.  Patience is a characteristic of God.  Paul urges Christians in many places in his letters to be patient.  With this comes the work of God’s Spirit.  We may be called on for “forbearance”. 

Rejoice always, for this is God’s will for you.  We may find joy in many events in our lives. But particularly, joy is linked to the character of God.  we may find joy in  …  The disciples were overjoyed  when they saw the risen Lord. The message of the angels to the shepherds when Jesus was born, was one of “joy to all people”. 

Speaker: David Tyndall.

Meet Secular Scott. Secular means "of this world".

In 1 Thessalonians ch 5 verses 1-11, Paul reminds them to live for the return of Jesus, and the Day of The Lord. 

Speaker: John Batten.

20241027 6PM CD 5 Qualities in Kingdom Relationships w QandR

Background to the Thessalonian Church is from Acts 17. In a setting of persecution during the beginning of the Thessalonian church, Paul flees to Athens but wants to go back and spend more time with the new converts.  He sends Timothy who brings news, and Paul writes to the Thessalonian Church.

From his letter, we can learn 5 qualities in Kingdom relationships for us to seek. 

1. Don’t settle for superficial. Be invested in each other.

There is a cost: It leaves Paul “vulnerable”. He is opening up his heart. He is in the relationship for them (not for him).

Remember: Kingdom relationships start with relationships with the King! Jesus.

Speaker: Chris Donald.

20241020 6PMp RI How should we measure ministry?

Paul discusses his ministry among the Thessalonians, measuring it not by earthly standards, but before God.  Shall it be measured by fruitfulness? Jesus’ ministry ended on a cross! What looked like failure turned out to be very fruitful – we are part of that fruit!  God determines outcomes. Some, like Jeremiah, did not see the fruit of their labour, in their time.  God will achieve his purposes, through his Word. Faithful ministry is resilient, full of integrity, pleasing to God, gentle, incarnate, toilsome, godly, and involves urging or inspiring people.  It involves pleasing God, rather than pleasing people. It is gentle & nurturing, protective and also incarnate, lived out in the flesh.  It is hard work. And it is like a father, inspiring, by word and deed. Paul imitated Jesus, following his way.  

Speaker: Ron Irving.

20241013 6PMp RI Anticipation of what is coming.

Term 4 in school is the last before Christmas. For many, it may also mean exams, or the prospect of the time after the exams. Anticipation requires action. Thessalonians anticipates the return of Jesus, but how do we see this? Anticipation for the Thessalonians, led to action. It radically changed their lives. The Thessalonians turned, they served and they waited. This is what the church everywhere said about them. 1. They turned to God from idols. In that society, this was not a small change. It led to persecution and severe suffering. For us, following Jesus is not just a turn to… but also a turn from … for us there can be many idols: money can be an idol for us. There are various practical actions we can take. 2. The Thessalonians were moved to serve.  They served the living and true God.  They served by working, labouring and enduring.  With effort and time.  Grace is about “not earning”; not about “no effort”. Serving is about sacrificing ourselves for others. 3. Waiting. Action in waiting for the return of Jesus.  Awaiting a rescue from wrath. When Jesus returns, all will be made new!  So, turn, serve and wait.

Speaker: Ron Irving.

20241006 

We don’t know what it is was in this psalm that the Psalmist,  David, was seeking security from, but we know that for much of his life, he was escaping from people who wanted to kill him,

We can’t say to Jesus, “You don’t know what it is like", because he does know. He suffered for us.  Furthermore he is in heaven pleading on our behalf. 

We learn that God counsels us. David says, “I keep the Lord at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

In this psalm we can see that God’s plan of salvation for us as revealed in the New testament, is already foreshadowed in this psalm.

Speaker: David Tyndall.

20240929 6PMp DT Psalm 22

The writer of this psalm wrote this down a thousand years before it happened.  At least 9 specific events that were predicted and then happened a thousand years later.   

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The broken relationship between Jesus and his Father is expressed here. He says, “I am a worm”, … Christ becomes unworthy, because he takes the sin of the world upon himself.  The psalm is a reflection of what takes place in Matthew 27:41.  The crowd, by their words were fulfilling what had been written a thousand years before. The bulls of Bashan grew powerful and strong because of the lush pasture.  Lions are powerful. Dogs surround them. The clothes were divided, and lots were cast for his robe. And then, there is a change. Verse 22 on reflects the resurrection, which takes place after the crucifixion.  The book of Hebrews tells us of what then happens.  Verse 28 provides glimpses of the second coming of the Lord.  We are living proof of what is written in the scriptures.  The work of our salvation is fulfilled when Jesus says, “It is finished.” It is remarkable that God’s promises are fulfilled.

Speaker: David Tyndall.

20240922 6PMp JB Psalm 40

Psalms and songs and words and meanings –

we can all experience the meaning these can have upon us.

Psalm 40 was written by David, who became king in Israel. It expresses a time turmoil and difficulties for David.  But in this time of trouble, David found comfort in God. David looked to the past, when God had been his helper and comfort.  He looked to the future, for the promise and assurance God has given. And he finds help, for the present circumstances. 

David was in a miry pit.  And has been rescued.  David expresses the view that its not just sacrifices and burnt offering that God wants, but rather the genuine commitment of the whole heart. “I desire to do thy will.”  This is what David expresses, and he wants others, likewise to have such commitment to God.  And he looks also to the future, that God will continue his love and mercy, quickly and without delay.

Yet only one, has fulfilled God’s law completely. Psalm 40, is one of the Messianic Psalms, and points to Jesus, the Messiah. Only one, suffered death for us all, and rose triumphant from the grave.

In like manner, in our present time, we can look to the past, where we have seen God’s faithfulness and grace. We can look to the future, where we can consider the promises that God has revealed. And we can find help for our present circumstances.

God is faithful and will fulfill his promises and purpose.

Speaker: John Batten.