When Jesus attending the wedding in Cana, he was called upon to do something about the shortage of wine for the guests. His actions formed the first of seven ‘signs’ that John recorded for his readers that show something of His glory. While Moses’ first miracle was to turn water to blood which indicated judgement, Jesus’ first miracle was to show the fullness of coming blessing for the people of God as he turned something from the old covenant arrangement into something new and better. Not all saw his miracle but his disciples did and by it their faith in Him was confirmed.
Philip Burns
Rev Philip Burns is the minister of Bendigo Presbyterian Church.
‘Being part of the ripple effect’ (John 1:35-51)
When John the Baptist announced that Jesus was the Messiah, some of his disciples turned and followed Jesus, others became convinced of Jesus’ identity by their experience and still others came to follow Jesus because of their own study of the Scripture. John’s words led to an immediate growth in the number of disciples who followed Jesus. In many ways the same happens today as believers share their personal testimony or what they have found through believing the Word of God. This ‘ripple effect’ will grow if and when today’s disciples continue to speak ‘just a word’ for Jesus.
‘On being a more-than-useful signpost’ (John 1:19-28)
In this message on John 1:19-28, Rev Philip Burns highlights the actions and words of John the Baptist in his ministry just before Jesus burst onto the scene. John was a successful ‘signpost’ in that he pointed people to Jesus without drawing too much attention to himself.
‘The down-to-earth-in-the-flesh God’ (John 1:14-18)
John 1:14-18 is an amazing text of John’s gospel, ‘the Word became flesh’. By these words, John tells us something of the some of the motive of love that God had in sending his Son, Jesus, something of the rescue mission he enacted for our sake, and something of God’s presence beside us in the birth of Emmanuel (God with us) – all beyond our full understanding but not our appreciation!.
‘Jesus: as He really is’ (John 1:1-18)
John’s Gospel is the ‘gospel that is different’. 1:1-18 brings out some of the major themes that John introduces to his readers. John presents Jesus as the Living Word, the One who is fully divine, eternal,the creator of all things and the one who became flesh (man). John’s purpose in writing is that we might believe in Jesus and so have life in His Name and all who do that are granted the privilege of being called His children.
‘The unpopular (but still very true) truth’ (Matthew 7:13-29)
Jesus was a popular preacher when he spoke these words in Matthew 7:13-29, but his words are very unpopular today. He spoke of the road to life being one that has a narrow gate, of those who profess faith but do not have the fruit to show that their profession is true and of those who hear his words but do not do them. The end result of all this remains that some people who might profess to be believers, may be deluding themselves! All that Jesus taught remains the truth, no matter how unpopular it has become.
‘Contentment in a world that never has enough’ (Matthew 6:25-34)
Matthew 6:25-34 is well known and loved because it contains truth that the world often denies or forgets. Because God has promised to look after the needs of His people, we can live free of the love of money and this will enable us to live worry free under God’s care, confidently under His hand and entirely for His Kingdom in this world. In a world that promotes the idea that you can never have enough, Jesus reminds us that putting God’s Kingdom first in our priorities will reap a different kind of riches that will last for all eternity.
‘Heaven or earth? Treasures true and false’ (Matthew 6:19-24)
In Matthew 6:19-24 Jesus gives some counter-cultural teaching in relation to the way God’s people ought to view money. He spoke of a different place to invest, reminding us that heavenly treasures will never be stolen, eaten or fade away. He also spoke of a different Master to serve, reminding us that we cannot serve God and money. It should be obvious to the world that believers do not view money the same way as the world does, simply because we are called upon to have a whole different set of values to the world and give as much as we can for the advancing and growth of the Kingdom of God.
‘Worldly ways; causes, consequences and cure’ (James 4:1-10)
There’s something wrong when the water is in the boat, or when the world is in the church. In this last message from ‘Sundays@Six’ for 2012, Rev Philip Burns highlights the real issue from James 4 and where the solution to it all lies.
‘Wisdom: The good and the deadly’ (James 3:13-18)
When is wisdom not wisdom? When it’s the wrong kind of wisdom! Did you know that there is such a thing as heavenly and earthly wisdom? Can you tell them apart? James enables us to do just that…