As one of the Psalms of King David, Psalm 139 relates how David knew that God knew so much about him! This intimate knowledge of God is so vast that He even saw knew David in his mother’s womb. Because of this David knew that he could never leave God’s presence. In this message, Rory Weightman reminds us that in the midst of such wonderful truths, David also knew that that God is holy and must punish the wicked. The Psalm ends as we might not expect, yet gives the assurance that believers are safe with God and will never be abandoned by Him.
Author: Philip
‘A Psalm for the sinner and the saint’ (Psalm 51:1-19)
As one of the Psalms of King David, Psalm 51 relates how David confessed his sins to God and found that God is gracious. Rev Russ Grinter reminds us in this message that this grace transforms a sinner into a saint (a believer in Jesus Christ) through repentance and faith. This grace also enables those who are saints to continue to repent and believe – which is just what God wants from us in the New Year, a life of repentance and faith.
‘A Psalm for the New Year’ (Psalm 90:1-17)
It’s good practise to begin the New Year with sober thoughts and Psalm 90 does just that. As one of the oldest portions of Scripture, the Psalm brings us face to face with the eternal nature of God, His judgments and His mercies and yet at the same time, the transient nature of man. Life is short, therefore Moses encourages us to ‘number our days’. The truly wise person lives in the light of the shortness of life here on earth and the length of eternity.
January @ St John’s
Our morning worship services continue each Sunday @ 10:30am where we’ll be looking at some of the Psalms.
Jan 4 – Psalm 90 (A psalm for the New Year) Rev. Philip Burns
Jan 11 – Psalm 51 (A psalm for the sinner and the saint) Rev. Russ Grinter
Jan 18 – Psalm 139 (A psalm for the lonely) Rory Weightman
Jan 25 – Psalm 67 (A psalm for the whole world) Rev. Philip Burns
Come join us!
‘Keeping the miraculous alive in the Christmas story’ (Luke 2:15)
In this message, Rev John Sutherland explores the often overlooked aspect of the miraculous parts of the Christmas story in Luke’s gospel with the hope that believers may have a greater sense of wonder and awe at the great events that make up the birth of Jesus. We have no need to apologise that the very basics of our faith are founded on miraculous events, no matter how many of our own generation may scoff at these things. In our minds we can readily join with the shepherds who had seen the vision of angels and who received the glad tidings of the Saviour’s birth. “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass.”
‘He walked on earth…in our shoes’ (Hebrews 4:14-5:10)
When white man John Griffin made himself up and lived as a black man, he found out the hard way what many experienced in 1959 racist America. When Jesus came to earth as a human, he too experienced the nature of life as we know it. Hebrews 4:14-5:10 tells us of his experiences – how he endured human frailty, suffering and even death. Though He was fully God, yet he entered into the realm of our pain and through that pain and eventual death secured an eternal salvation for his people. At Christmas time we remember the wonderful truth that God became man and as man he still lives to be our great High Priest in heaven – fully able to understand what we must endure.
‘The focal point of the prophets, the apostles and the angels’ (1 Peter 1:10-12)
At Christmas time, it is good to remember that long ago the prophets had some idea that God was going to do something special in the future when His Messiah would come to earth. What the prophets looked forward to is what the Apostles proclaimed about the death and resurrection of Jesus. These things are told to us in 1 Peter 1:10-12, with Peter even giving us the amazing truth that angels long to understand the fulness of such truths. Thankfully, we have the Word of God that tells us everything God wants us to know!
‘There’s something unique about loving the Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Peter 1:8)
In 1 Peter 1:8, Peter presents some amazing facts about the love that Christians have for the Lord Jesus Christ. We love him without ever having seen or met Him. We love him alongside of all other believers all over the world who also love Him. Also, the nature of this love for Him is enduring. It will go on and on even after this world is done! The end result of loving Jesus will be inexpressible joy that will never, ever end. True Christians know they do not love Him enough and will therefore want to grow every day in their love for Him.
Christmas Services @ St John’s 2014
Yep it’s that time of year again and we will have two special events that will celebrate the birth of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
On Sunday December 21 at 8pm we will hold our annual ‘Carols by Torchlight’ in St John’s followed by supper in the hall. This is always a great time of singing Christmas hymns, reflecting upon the Christmas story and hearing God’s Word explained to us in a shorter format. This year, Russ Grinter will be preaching. All are welcome and don’t forget your torch! (Maybe not as big as the one pictured!)
Then on Christmas Day, we will meet together at 9:30am in St John’s. Russ will be preaching again and there will be more Christmas hymns and more from God’s Word. There will also be an offering for PresAID (Presbyterians Assisting in Development) projects among our partner churches in Zambia, Myanmar and Vanuatu. Morning tea will follow in the hall if you can stay. Everyone is very welcome!
‘An anchor for the anchor-less’ (1 Peter 1:5-9)
In 1 Peter 1:5-9, Peter reminds his readers that though the inheritance of heaven will be kept for them and they will be kept by God for it, life on earth is not heaven. Our journey to heaven involves experiencing trials of many kinds that God has designed for the purifying of our faith and so that at then end of the journey, a greater measure of joy will await those who endure.