Luke 24 speaks about the great news of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, has a strong theme of ‘open things’. For one thing, the tomb was open and Jesus was no longer dead inside it! This is the strong hope that believers share and sets Christianity apart from other religions. Our founder is still alive and death could not hold Him! Then it speaks of ‘open minds’ as it tells us how Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples with regard to the purpose and message of the Scriptures. Then also it speaks of an ‘open heaven’ into which Jesus returned, but before doing so, challenged his disciples to go out into the world proclaiming the wonderful message of forgiveness of sins in His name.
Author: Philip
‘Living as salt in a tasteless world’ (Matthew 5:13)
After speaking about the blessing that belongs to those who belong to His ‘upside-down’ Kingdom in the Beatitudes, in Matthew 5:13, Jesus then spoke of the influence that He expected His people would have on the world, by being ‘salt’ in an often tasteless world. Why did Jesus describe believers as being like salt? Because of the way in which salt was highly valued in Jesus’ day, because of the way in which salt was also used as a preservative, the way in which salt creates thirst, and also the way in which salt could so easily lose its flavour and become useless. For all these reasons believers are to be in the world and so have a preserving, thirst-creating and godly influence on others and therefore on the world.
‘The blessing that belongs to the persecuted’ (Matthew 5:10-12)
After speaking about the blessing of being poor in spirit, being broken over our own sin, the importance of meekness, the need to hunger and thirst for righteousness, the blessing that comes to those who know and give out mercy, the need for a pure, undivided heart,and the blessing that belongs to those who set out to make peace, in Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus then spoke of the blessing that comes to those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. It is a strange fact of life that those who seek to live the way that Jesus taught in these Beatitudes will face persecution. The world may approve of people having ‘their religion’ but when that very thing shows up the darkness of other people’s hearts and lives, then this will not sit so easy with others. Christians all over the world are facing this kind of persecution, because they are aiming to live for another kingdom, not the one of this world. Jesus was persecuted Himself – even to death on a cross! He said, ‘if they hated me they will also hate you’.
Dr John Anderson speaking on ‘The theory that evolved’
Medical Doctor and former Australian Navy Commander, Dr John Anderson, from Creation Ministries International will be speaking at a public meeting at our church on Friday October 2nd at 7:30pm. A freewill offering will be received.
You can read more about Dr John Anderson here.
‘The blessing that belongs to the peacemakers’ (Matthew 5:9)
After speaking about the blessing of being poor in spirit, being broken over our own sin, the importance of meekness, the need to hunger and thirst for righteousness, the blessing that comes to those who know and give out mercy and the need for a pure, undivided heart, in Matthew 5:9, Jesus then spoke of the blessing that belongs to those who make peace. While peace is often understood as the absence of war, it has a much deeper meaning in Scripture. Jesus was known as the ‘Prince of Peace’ and by his death and resurrection he made reconciled God’s people to God – bringing them into a relationship with Him. As those who know this peace, the followers of Jesus are called to be peace-makers by encouraging all to find peace with God through the gospel.
‘The blessing that belongs to the pure’ (Matthew 5:8)
After speaking about the blessing of being poor in spirit, being broken over our own sin, the importance of meekness, the need to hunger and thirst for righteousness and the blessing that comes to those who know and give out mercy, in Matthew 5:8, Jesus then spoke of the blessing that belongs to those who are pure in heart. Pure has the idea of ‘washed clean’ but also single-mindedness. The heart that knows that the blood of Jesus washes away all sin, and that is fixed upon God, wanting nothing else beside him, is that heart that will know the reward of ‘seeing God’. This will be the reward of those who truly seek God through His Word and then at the end of all things when faith gives way to sight.
You’re invited to come to this!
A discussion and Q&A session with:
Robert Martin – Melbourne Director, City Bible Forum, and
Ian Robinson – President Emeritus, Rationalist Society of Australia.
7pm GPO Balcony Room 60-64 Pall Mall Bendigo.
Join us as we discuss what is probably the most important question in the world.
SMILE… a new ministry!
We are delighted to announce the approval of a new ministry called SMILE (Supporting Migrants In Learning English), a conversational English class for migrant women (and their children). SMILE will run from the Upper Room on a Monday morning commencing in Term 4. We are excited that this new ministry is in line with Session’s own Vision Statement; ‘developing ministries that will reach out to the city of Bendigo and the world.’ Your prayers for SMILE are encouraged!!
‘The blessing that belongs to the merciful’ (Matthew 5:7)
After speaking about the blessing of being poor in spirit, being broken over our own sin, the importance of meekness and the need to hunger and thirst for righteousness, in Matthew 5:7 Jesus then spoke about the blessing that belongs to those who are merciful. While this world is a place where we often note the absence of mercy, Jesus here reminds us that mercy is at the heart of so much that the Bible teaches us about God and also our responsibility towards others. God’s mercy to us in Christ means that his people are spared from the judgement we deserve. It also means that having been shown mercy, we are to show that mercy to others. To refuse God’s mercy and then to refuse to show mercy means that we will only be left with the fearful thought of facing his judgement.
‘The blessing that belongs to the hungry/thirsty’ (Matthew 5:6)
After speaking about the blessing of being poor in spirit, being broken over our own sin, and the importance of meekness, in Matthew 5:6, Jesus went on to speak about the blessing of those who hunger and thirst. Jesus was not speaking of those cut off from food and drink, but those who earnestly desire the righteousness that God alone gives to those who seek Him. While the world offers so much that is ‘junk food for our hearts and lives’, Jesus alone offers real satisfaction that will fill the hearts and lives of those who seek him