In this message, guest preacher, Rev. Len Pearce speaks from Galatians 2:15-3:9 about how the believer’s life is not just changed but exchanged. Not one of us is perfect yet there is no other way to stand before God: the believer stands justified by Christ before the throne of God’s justice. By His grace we exchange our sin for his perfect righteousness. We receive these benefits by God’s Spirit through faith. This is the heart of the gospel. Yet we don’t know the length of our days – be sure that you know Jesus as we get closer to eternity.
Yes it’s true. The St John’s congregation was formed in September 1872. Watch this space for news of our September 2022 celebrations as they come together!
There’s a line in the heading that you might recognise from the children’s game ‘hide and seek’. The plain facts are that Jesus hasn’t told us the exact date of His return, which means that all of us need to be ready at any time. To illustrate what is required to make one ‘ready’, Jesus told a mini-parable in Matthew 24:45-51 about two servants set over a household under the charge of their master. In the master’s absence, both servants displayed something that would either commend or condemn them uin their master’s eyes. The question comes down to faithfulness and doing what you have been told. In our case, our Master!
When Jesus spoke further about his expected return in Matthew 24:36-44, he gave us some information about it, while keeping some other aspects hidden. While all would like to know the day and the hour of His return, clearly, this is notsomething we are told. But what we are told is that the day of His return will be like the days before the flood of Noah’s time when Noah was building the ark. Jesus said of those days that people were busy doing ordinary, good things such as ‘eating, drinking and being married’, but were oblivious to the coming of the flood that would bring God’s judgement upon them. By telling us these things, Jesus urges us not to be found unprepared and therefore, not ready, for Him.
In trying to work out the timing of Jesus’ return, many people turn to Old Testament prophecy, the book of Revelation or even world events. Perhaps an easier approach would be to refer to the things that Jesus said about the topic. However, in Matthew 24:29-35, it has to be said that a wide variety of views abound. Some of what Jesus said requires careful thought. He was not one to contradict Himself! Even more than that, it’s good to remember that just as Jesus has proved right with the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., so His words can be taken as being rock-solid. Through the confusion of various interpretations and theories, it is good to know that the guarantee of His return is His own promise!
After two attempts at holding a service to mark the retirement of Mrs Jean Spicer as organist at Bendigo (St John’s) Presbyterian Church (with both of these attempts postponed due to last minute lockdowns), finally it has happened!
On Sunday December 12, 2021 the congregation met to give thanks and praise to our God for almost 70 years of faithful and appreciated service over the years accompanying the praise of God at regular Sunday worship, weddings, funerals, Sunday School anniversaries and other events for both congregation and choir.
The service featured Jean’s three favourite hymns, ‘Immortal invisible’, ‘To God be the glory’ and ‘The day Thou gavest’, speeches of thanks to Jean, the presentation of a special certificate made by Elder Andrew Kerr on behalf of Session, and a gift of flowers presented by Mrs Averil Harris, Secretary of the Board. Rev Philip Burns preached the sermon on Luke 19:11-27, titled, ‘God’s people have got talent! (or, ‘a call to multiply your minas’) and a shared covid-friendly lunch was held in the hall afterward as part of the celebrations.
Jean commenced her long stint as organist for St John’s after the retirement of the previous organist, sometime after June 1953, aged 16 years of age, having been thrust into the job at the suggestion of her father. During the years of her service, Jean has not only seen seven Ministers come and go (the 8th is still there), but also a number of different organs, the St John’s congregation go into Union and then re-form again, buying back its previous building. One of the highlights of Jean’s time was playing for the re-opening service at St John’s in the afternoon of October 15, 1985 with about 450 people attending in the church and by video into the hall. She did have a break from the organ during the time of the birth of each of her four children and ‘retired’ on other occasions, but continued to keep playing as required. But this time, retirement is official, and Jean’s husband Ted, will finally be able to have her sit next to him during services at St John’s where they have been members for these many years.
The Church family at Bendigo gives great thanks to God for the blessings received through Jean’s faithful service and were glad to honour her faithful contribution to the worship of His great Name.
One of the keys to understanding all that Jesus said in Matthew 24 and 25, is to carefully locate the time reference that Jesus is referring to. In Matthew 24:15-28, it’s faily clear that the bulk of what Jesus said relates to the fall of Jerusalem in 70A.D. – something that the disciples of Jesus would need to be prepared for. But, it’s not all just in the past. The scenes that Jesus describes around those events, can be understood as being predictive of the events that will also usher in the end of the age and Jesus’ return!
When the disciples of Jesus once asked Him some questions as they stood near the Temple, they could never have known that the answers Jesus gave them were answers that would echo down the corridors of time for thousands of years. But this is the case with the ‘Olivet Discourse’ recorded for us in Matthew’s gospel chapters 24 and 25. And so, in Matthew 24:1-14, the scene is set. The disciples are there. Jesus is there. And the questions focus upon the end of the age and the signs of His coming. But the answers are a little more complex, reminding us that the Lord Jesus is also our great Prophet who declares to us the truth that we might not fear but be busy with His gospel.
It’s worth remembering that the name of the month of January comes from the Roman god, Janus, who is often pictured as having two faces – one looking back to the past and the other looking ahead to the future. At the start of a new year it’s always good to start off with that kind of attitude. Paul certainly had that attitude during his life and it’s nowhere as clear as in Philippians 3:12-21. The apostle was single-minded about purusing a goal of ‘knowing Christ’ and he certainly had his eyes set on a future prize in relation to that prize, constantly checking himself so that he did not live for lesser things and miss out. At the start of the new year, take a leaf from the Apostle’s book!
• A new year! • Janus: looking back and looking forward • The context of his words • Paul’s forward and direct focus on his goal – the heavenly prize • Paul wants us to consider…
The attitude required to reach the goal (v.12-16)
The obstacles encountered on the path to that goal (v.17-19)
The complete transformation that was his goal (v.20-21)
The danger in taking your eyes off the goal What will you be striving for in the year ahead?
‘There’s no Christmas without Christ!’ If only that were so. Sadly, there’s lots of Christmases without Christ, and as Christmas comes and goes again, it’s possible that many fall for the trap of living as though, the trimmings count more than the reality. The Apostle Peter knew little about the Christmas story, but what he did know about Jesus he learned through first hand experience – and in the text of 2 Peter 1:16-21, Peter reflects on his time on the mount of transfiguration with Jesus. It must have been amazing to see and witness. A place where Peter saw the majesty and glory of Jesus. But even then, after having that experience, Peter said there was something even ‘more sure’ than what he’d seen and heard. It was the Scriptures. These testify to the One who came for us to be our Saviour.
