God, Gambling and Good Friday

What is the right thing to do on Good Friday? Is it wrong or okay to gamble or shop or just relax? When Tabcorp announced that it was going to open on Good Friday there was outrage from both within and outside the Church.

But did you know that on the very first Good Friday there was gambling?

Mark 15:24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get

I'm not sure if these guys knew that they were setting a precedent but there you go.

Now apart from the soldiers there was another man having a bet that day. A thief with one last roll of the dice bet all he had on Jesus...

Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the hrist? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

This thief recognises who he is - a sinner getting what he deserves. He also sees that Jesus is not getting what he deserves. He healed the sick fed the hungry befriended the lonely. I guess it was something he said. The thief also recognises that Jesus is a king and so asks him for entry into his kingdom.

So what are his chances? Could a thief walk into heaven? If you were a betting person what do you think his odds are? Well according to Jesus, this thief is right on the money...

Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Jesus promises this thief entry into heaven because he recognised who he was - a king who was taking the punishment for what others deserve. In return this thief received new life even with his last roll of the dice.

So what should we do on Good Friday? Is it right to gamble or shop or just relax? The most important thing to do is to reflect on what the thief did. He put his faith and trust in Jesus. May we do the same.

the saviour and his sermon matthew 7:13-29

You’d have to say that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount ends on a downer. There’s talk of destruction v13, fire v19, evildoers v23, storms v25 and houses falling with a great crash v27.

Why doesn’t it end all chirpy?

You realise that Jesus hasn’t been delivering a series of ethical titbits on how to live a good moral life but is calling for absolute trust in him. This in turn, means absolute allegiance in living his kingdom values.

And so it's time to choose - which road are you on v13, 14? The road to life or the road to destruction?

Which tree is going to bear fruit v15-20? One of self righteousness or right living for God?

Which house are you going to build v24-29? Is your foundation on Jesus' words or on things that moth and rust destroy or where thieves break in and steal?

It's time to choose...it's time to see Jesus' kingdom come.

spicks 'n specks matthew 7:1-12

• Marcus Einfeld...for a $77 fine you are going to spend 2 years in gaol. What a hypocrite. I guess it goes to show that you can't trust anyone...
• And speaking of hypocrites, how about Bono? I bet he only helps those starving Africans so that he can sell more records...
• And speaking of foreigners...they come over here and they don't assimilate...
• And what is it with those kids every Sunday? Can't their mum keep them under control? Absent father probably...
• And how about that reader stumbling over a few words...I could do better...
• And did you hear about that Christian who did that thing...how can they call themselves a Christian?

These things...these opinions...these truths...they just roll off people's tongues. They're broadcast on talkback radio and ushered in Churches over a cuppa tea and a bun. But Jesus declares that if you are a citizen of his kingdom then this is how you must think and respond to others...

So in everything do to others as you would want them to do to you for this sums up the Law and the Prophets 7:12

It'd be tempting to think that the verse we need to keep in the forefront of our minds is "Do not judge or you too will be judged" but that rule falls under this one. In fact every other rule comes underneath this rule. It is not called the Golden Rule for nothing. We are to positively seek the good of others.

So if we go back to the beginning...

• Marcus Einfeld...if my sins were public I'd want someone to be there for me. So that's what I should do...I should pray
  
• Bono...I shouldn't worry about how much you give but how much I do...
• Those foreigners...I should greet them...I mean if I was in their country that's what I would want them to do for me
• That mum and dad with the crazy kids...I should sacrifice my time so that they can have a night on the town...that's what I should I do
• That reader who stumbled over a few words - big deal...I should put myself on the roster...I should serve
• To that Christian who did that stupid thing...hey I do stupid things too...I would want them to forgive me so that's what I should do...

Pray...Give...Greet...Sacrifice...Serve...Forgive...these are but some of things we are to do to others because we sure as heck would want them to do them for us.

So in summing up how we should live for the kingdom Jesus says, "Go and do."

two to choose from - matthew 6:19-34

The NRMA are running with a campaign called "Unworry". They are compelling us to unworry about life, the universe and insurance. But their slogan is not new. Jesus himself declared many years ago to "Unworry". To begin with he said...

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." 6:19

I guess you could add become obsolete, destroyed by bushfires and ruined by the world financial crisis. Jesus is telling us things we already know. But still we chase these things.

We also live in a world where we chase after food and fashion. We have what we need yet we still want more, seeking another knitted top or pair of shoes. We are constantly dazzled yet ultimately bewildered by the array of food on offer at shopping centre Food Courts "What do you want for lunch?" "I don't know, there's so much to choose from..."

So what is the antidote for all this meaningless chasing? Jesus compels us to store up treasures in heaven...

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 6:20, 21

Our treasure in heaven is locked away in heaven; even death can't take it away. And knowing that this is our future enables us to "unworry" about the present. Jesus says...

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well..." 6:31-33

Jesus wants to free us up from worry by trusting in our heavenly Father. He will look after us. In turn we can invest our time and energy into things that are eternal not temporary, things of God's kingdom and not mine.

So let us "unworry" not because NRMA said so but Jesus said so. It's time to see his kingdom come.

Good morning...and welcome to Evening Church

A very big thank you to all those who attended, helped out and celebrated last night's combined evening service. As someone said, "It feels like Christmas!" Indeed it did.

So whether you cooked, served, provided supper, stacked chairs, cleaned up afterwards or did a myriad of other things, your service was most appreciated.