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.
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)
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
After God established his covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7, the next chapter, 2 Samuel 8:1-18, tells of the evident blessing that came upon David’s kingdom. It not only grew in size, reaching out in all the directions of the campass as a fulfillment of the promises given to Abraham, but it also grew in wealth as God continued to give David’s army much success. But more than that, the nature of David’s kingdom reflected the righteous rule of God. His laws were honoured and it was a good place to be…but not a patch on what it’s going to be like when Jesus comes back as King of Kings. He is the King we need!
Next Sunday, November 26th, our annual Sunday School and Playgroups end-of-the-year celebration is on! We meet at 10:30am and our service will be followed by a bring and share lunch. Word is out that ‘Hot Dog’ is making a return too….! See you there!
All chapters of Scripture are important, but some are more important than others! 2 Samuel 7:1-29 is one of those chapters. After David had settled the ark of the covenant in a tent in Jerusalem, he expressed a desire to God that he would like build something more permanent. Was he concerned about the fact that he lived in a palace while the ark remained in a tent? We really don’t know, but what we do know is that God said ‘no’ to David while also promising David his own ‘house’ – his very own royal line. How did David respond to such a promise? And what does this promise have to do with the fulfillment of God’s plans for His people through David’s greater Son, Jesus?