As we enter another year of time, we all face eternity. Where are we headed? Rev Len Pearce asks and answers those questions in this message based on Isaiah 57:11-24 and Matthew 25:31-46.
Author: Philip
‘An end-of-year text for the year ahead’ (Romans 11:33-36)
In this great doxology from the pen of the Apostle Paul in Romans 11:33-36, we find how Paul gave glory and praise to God because of certain aspects of His character, namely His wisdom and knowledge. As we come to the end of the year and with uncertainty ahead of us, it’s good to be reminded that God knows more than we do and is able to be trusted in all that He has promised.
‘No welcome mat for the King’ (Matthew 2:13-23)
As Matthew’s presentation of Jesus was originally written for the Jews of his day, it’s no surprise that he relied heavily on the fulfilment of the Old Testament as he reflected upon the birth of the Messiah. This fact is quite clear in Matthew 2:13-23 where many Old Testament allusions to and prophecies about the coming Messiah all come together. Set against the backdrop of King Herod’s rage and eventual murder of innocent children in Bethlehem, Matthew presents Jesus as the true hope of Israel.
‘What made the wise men wise?’ (Matthew 2:1-12)
The wise men feature only in Matthew’s presentation of the life of Jesus, and while who were they and were they come from are questions that largely remain unanswered, even yet Matthew 2:1-12, gives us sufficient information to state some thing and learn others from their appearing, their actions and who it was that they found.
R C Sproul, with Jesus
Like many around the world, we too expresses our thanks to God for the life, ministry and witness of pastor and theologian R C Sproul. The whole community of Reformed churches will sadly miss his wisdom, insight, perceptions, godliness and experience which are all Heaven’s gain. Face to face with Christ now. ‘Well done faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master’. (You can read a fuller tribute to R C here)
‘A pregnant virgin and a doubting husband’ (Matthew 1:18-25)
The story of the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1:18-25, has plenty in it that people of all generations can relate to. Mary’s surprise pregnancy must have been a shock to her just as it was for Joseph, but both persisted in faith regarding what God had told them. But in the end Mary and Joseph’s story is not the main point, for the text points us to the Saviour who is named as Jesus, Christ (Messiah) and Immanuel. He is the one that all mankind must relate and respond to, this Christmas or any time!
‘The day the king’s loving-kindness was rejected’ (2 Samuel 10:1-19)
After dealing kindly with Mephibosheth, 2 Samuel 10:1-19 tells us how David also dealt kindly with Hanun, son of Nahash the Ammonite King on the occasion of the death of Nahash. However, advisors for Hanun got into his ear and planted seeds of suspicion and fear and David’s ambassadors were treated with contempt. An all out war soon arose with inevitable consequences. Whenever God’s grace and kindness to mankind is rejected, those inevitable consequences still happen. We call it judgement and we must pray that people will repent before that judgement comes.
Carols by Torchlight, December 17th, 8pm
Join us as we come together for our annual ‘Carols by Torchlight’ (much safer than candles!) at St John’s on Sunday December 17th at 8pm, followed by supper in the hall (please bring some to share!) All are very welcome!
‘The King’s loving-kindness shown to a dead dog’ (2 Samuel 9:1-13)
After God made a covenant with David in chapter 7, in turn, David remembered the covenant he had earlier made with Saul to never wipe out Saul’s descendants. In a lovely part of the unfolding tapestry of God’s grace, 2 Samuel 9:1-13 records how David showed loving kindness (Hebrew: chesed) to one of Jonathon’s sons, Mephiboseth. To many people this may come as a surprise as the Old Testament is often characterised as being all about law or war. But in the story of David’s kindness to this cripple, the heart of the gospel can be seen.
Sunday Evening Fellowship …December 3rd
It’s time for our quarterly Sunday Evening Fellowship this coming Sunday night, when we will share a meal tobgether at 5pm and enjoy a brief worship service (with the Lord’s Supper) at 6pm. Come and join us!