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.

20240915 6PMp DT Psalm Two

First in our series on Psalms that point to the Messiah.

Psalms can be divided into different groupings, and Psalm 2 is ibn the group of “Messianic Psalms”. These psalms point to the Messiah: Jesus.

In troublesome times, like ours, people plot against other people. People may plot against Christians, people may reject God and Christians may be greatly affected by what other people do.  We may ask, “Where is God, in all these troubles?” Psalm 2 reminds us that God is still in control. God has set his King on  mount Zion, and he will reign.  The kings and rulers of the earth are advised to serve the Lord and kiss the Son.

Speaker: David Tyndall.

20240908 6PMp CD The Mantle falls on Elisha

Reading:  2 Kings 2:1-18

The most important day in my life.   The story, told from Elisha’s viewpoint, leading up the last day he had with his master and mentor, Elijah. Having crossed the Jordan river on dry ground, while walking along, Elisha was separated from Elijah by the sudden appearance of flaming horses and a flaming chariot, and Elijah was caught up into heaven.  And Elisha inherited a double portion of Elijah’s Spirit.  What it means to follow and obey God’s commands.

Speaker: Chris Donald.

This sermon continues our series on Elijah.

Bible Reading: 1 Kings 21: 1-29

King Ahab asks Naboth to trade his vineyard to him so that the king can make it a vegetable garden.  He sulks when, with good reason, Naboth refuses. Queen Jezebel writes letters to have Naboth falsely accused and killed, and, when Naboth is dead, tells Ahab to go and take possession.  The Word of the Lord comes to Elijah to go to Ahab in the vineyard and to give a message of retribution. Ahab shows regret and humbles himself, and the Lord declares that the retribution that will occur, will be delayed until the next generation. 

The lesson for us is that God knows what is going on, in Jesus, he knows it first hand. And God will bring retribution; yet he also shows grace to those who show regret. God will give the chance even to the most evil person, to repent and to humble themselves.   God offers forgiveness through his Son. We will see justice done on that final day, when Jesus returns.    

. 

Speaker: Gary Hill.

20240825 6PMp TS Paul’s Mission and Method

Mission Week Service: Speaker Tim Swan, Anglican Aid.

In the year AD 48, Paul went to Jerusalem to confer with leaders in the church about the plan for mission.  It was agreed that just as Peter’s mission was to the Jewish nation, Paul’s mission was to be to the Gentiles. It was added that Paul should remember the poor,  “which he was glad to do”!

There are many examples from the Old Testament prophets, at the start of Jesus’ ministry, with Zacchaeus, and in Jesus explanation of the judgment of the nations,  and also in Paul’s ministry of concern for the poor as part of the ministry priorities.

Anglican Aid is focussing attention on some of the poorest nations, seeking to provide practicl assistance, as well as the ministry of the gospel of Jesus.

More Information is available at: anglicanaid.org.au

What is persecution? What is its purpose and is it inevitable?

Mission Week Service.

Persecution and the spread of the gospel.

Meet Kumran. From Sri Lanka, went to find work, but instead, found Jesus. He was persecuted for meeting as a Christian.   

What is persecution, and why?

Three key areas:  1. Persecution is painful.  2. Persecution is planned. 3. Persecution is purposeful.

It can be difficult.  Read Acts 6 and Acts 7.  The story of Stephen persecuted and killed. Saul, who later changed his name to Paul, witnessed what happened to Stephen.  Then zealously persecuted the Christians until he too met Jesus, on the road to Damascus.  It is Paul who many years later, writes to  Timothy,  “that all who would live a godly life in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted.”

In Matthew ch. 10, Jesus explains that all his faithful followers will be hated – because of him.

Kumran became a pastor and in 2019, he lost friends and an 11 yr old son when a suicide bomber detonated a bomb at the front entry to his church.   

Why do we not face persecution? Look deeply into the issue. Kumran’s other son wrote a tribute to his younger brother that died.

As with Daniel,  “there was another in the fire!”

Speaker: Murray Watt

20240811 6PMp JB Elijah is recommissioned

1 Kings 19:10-18

No one likes to feel like a failure! No one likes that feeling – feeling like they’ve failed. Eljah is feeling devasted. Why does he feel like this? Is it like he has failed? Or is it the Israelites’ failure to turn back to Yahweh? Or like that God has failed him? Or like a combination of these?

Yet in his devastation, God has cared for him, and fed him. And he has gone on a journey for forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, (Horeb). And this is setting up for an awesome moment! Sinai is where the nation of Israel started, where the Ten Commandments were given, there Elijah is still devastated! There, the Word of the LORD came to him: “what are you doing here?”  Elijah, feeling devastated, experiences the wind, the earthquake, and fire.  And then a gentle whisper. And a voice said: What are you doing here, Elijah? Elijah expresses his feelings, “… I am the only one left!”  Yahweh is gentle with Elijah. He is told to go back the way he came … and told what he is to do, whom he is to anoint! And he is reassured that the LORD has reserved 7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him. Yahweh is calling him to trust.

Yahweh will bring justice, Yahweh will give him a companion, and that Yahweh is working to save His people. And this promise of God’s justice applies not only to Elijah, but also to us. In our world, God has not given up. Acts 17 declares that God has set a day when he will judge the world with justice, by the man he has appointed. Jesus, who died for us, and rose again!

Speaker: John Batten.

20240804 6PMp RI Elijah questions his self worth

Ahab tells Jezebel everything that happened to the prophets of Baal, and Jezebel sends messengers to threaten Elijah.  Elijah sees that nothing has changed.  Elijah is disillusioned with God. He runs to escape. He is feeling despair.  And he questions his self worth, asking God to take his life. He lies down and sleeps.  But Elijah is sustained by an angel, a messenger of God. God has not given up on Elijah.  God never gives up on his people!  Strengthened, Elijah then travels 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Horeb (Sinai). And we have a greater messenger! Jesus shows us that we are never forsaken.  Jesus is the greater messenger of God’s Grace.

12 years ago, at a time when Ron, (the speaker), felt very disillusioned with God, the song “Cornerstone” reminded him immensely of God’s grace shown in Jesus. 

“When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. 

In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.”

Jesus meets us with his grace.

Speaker: Ron Irving.