Where do you go to find real life? The life that truly satisfies?

Will I find it on TV...10 years youngers in 10 days?
Will I find at Borders...The Secret?
Will I find it on a billboard...Do you want longer lasting SEX?
Have you found it in Rudd money? Has the stimulus package brought you satisfaction?

Where do you go to find the real life?

Can the woman at the well find this life? She's had five husbands and she's currently shacked up with another bloke. I guess you could say she's walked off the set of Desperate Housewives. She's also at the well in the middle of the day in the heat of the day. The other women have come and gone...so too are their stares their goss their rolls of the eyes their self righteous tutt tutts.

So what does this woman need? Mr Right? Thankfully she finds him and she will never be the same again...

John 4:7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water JEsus said to her "Will you give me a drink?"

Everyone avoids but Jesus engages her. Even though he knows her background. Even though he knows that her current sleeping arrangements aren't kosher. All others dismiss her but he draws her near. This is new or something she hasn't felt for a long time. But it gets better because once you're close to Jesus he offers you something...

John 4:13, 14 Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.

Coke is refreshing but only for a time. You finish one can and you need another. But Jesus declares that if you come to him you'll never thirst.

So rather than thinking where can I go to find satisfaction Jesus says that its a matter of who. He himself is the source of this new life. But it doesn't end there. Jesus offers her a relationship with God...

John 4:21 A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem...a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth

Jesus declares that faith is not locked into a location. It is no longer about times and places but infuses all times and space. Jesus offers this woman not a religion but a relationship with the living God.

And so coupled with living water does this woman keep this all to herself "My faith is private...just between me and God..."? No she rushes back into town to tell others about who she has found...

John 4:28, 29 Then leaving her water jar the woman went back to the town and said to the people, "Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"

Remarkably the very people she avoided by coming to the well at midday she now engages. She's living like Jesus already!

One minute she trudged to the well in search of water...the next she's run home with living water. One minute she was locked into religion and the next she has a relationship with God. One minute her relationships were fleeting but now they are permanent. This is a new woman.

How did this happen? Not how but who. It is because of who Jesus is that he can give real life...

John 4:10 If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink you would have asked him and he would have given you living water

Jesus was ready and waiting to give this woman satisfaction. She came to know who he is and he gave her living water. It is because of who Jesus is that she will never be the same again.

So where do you go to find real life? Find satisfaction? Come to Jesus and you will never thirst. He is ready to give you new life. Jesus says "Come to me...and drink up..."

Faith alone John 8

The Castle. One of the great Australian movies about the Kerrigan family. They stick together through tough times - a son gone to gaol; a government that couldn't care less; a corporation hellbent on repossessing their home. The Kerrigans celebrate the banal "What do you call this love?" "Rissoles..." "Why go out when you can get this good tucker every night!" They enjoy the serenity of Boony Doon. They celebrate the wonder of a daughter graduating from Sunshine TAFE. This is what it looks like to be part of the Kerrigans. This is what it means to belong to their family.

What does it mean to belong to God's family? What does that look like? Well Jesus and the Jews have differing views...

John 8:39 "Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do the things Abraham did."

The Jews believe that to become part of God's family is merely resting on their ancestral pedigree. But Jesus says that it's not a matter of being in Abraham's family tree they need to be like Abraham himself. You need to do the things that he did.

So what did he do? Firstly he was obedient and not independent...

Genesis 22:1, 2 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love...sacrifice him there as a burnt offering..."

Abraham declares "Here I am". A great expression of obedience - "Here I am, where do you want me to go? What is it that you want me to say? Here I am..." God speaks and Abraham obeys.

And Jesus says that obedience is proof of being part of God's family...

John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."

Jesus calls on us to hear what he says and put it into practice. This is the mark of a true disciple. This is what it means to belong to God's family. Obedience is what Abraham did.

But how do you become part of God's family? It's a gift not a pedigree...

Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the LORD and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Even though Abraham was a sinner - he was a liar, slept with another woman, dismissed their son without care or concern - God declares him righteous, makes him right. God does this for Abraham as a gift through faith. And Jesus echoes the same...

John 8:34-36 I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

All of us sin. But by receiving what Jesus has done for us on the cross we can be set free from sin. It is a gift from The Son to make us sons and daughters of God's family. So to become part of God's family it's not about ancestry or pedigree. Rather it is a gift through faith. This is what Abraham did.

And if your faith is in Jesus your place in God's family is eternal not temporary...

John 8:35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever

and...

John 8:51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.

Because Jesus is alive he can give permanence. Assurance. Eternal life. If your faith is in him he has given you a place in heaven, something incredible to look forward. And this is what Abraham did too...

Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went...for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Abraham heard and obeyed God's promises. He lived a life of discipleship. His kept his trust in what God had done for him. And looked forward to the day God would fulfill his promises. This is what it means to belong to God's family. This is what it means to call God "Father". May we do the same. May we do what Abraham did.

One wedding and a funeral Genesis 23-25

All of us face big events in life - birth, death, career, relationships, marriage. The question is how do you go about dealing with them?

Abraham shaped the big events of his life via his faith in God. And we can see this in the death of his wife Sarah. Problem is, he's got nowhere to bury her. The Hittites offer him a cave for free in language reminiscent of God's promise to Abraham...

Genesis 23:11 "Listen to me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead."

But Abraham knocks back their offer because he knows that God will give him the land. He doesn't want anyone to say "I gave Abraham his start..." Rather he relies on God's promises. So he buys the cave with his own money and buries Sarah. Though she has died Abraham's faith still remains in God.

And speaking of wives...it's time for Abraham's son Isaac to find Mrs Right. Rather than just pick a local Canaanite girl Abraham's faith shapes this big event too...

Geneis 24:7 "The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father's household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, `To your offspring I will give this land' he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there."

Abraham's faith shapes this big event and implores Isaac, who is the heir of the promise to follow suit.

So how do you go about dealing with the big decisions of your life? Does God get a look in or is God the first port of call in prayer? Do your friends have a greater say than what the Bible says?

Abraham's faith grew and grew as he got older and the big events of life were left in God's capable hands. Even though he died with just a glimpse of the promises it's no surprise that author was able to say this about him...

Genesis 24:1 Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.

By trusting the big events in life to God Abraham was truly blessed. Let us do the same.

What happens when God visits Genesis 18, 19

We all expect judges to judge. Police to pull over the speeding driver. The parent to reign in an unruly child. Today Tonight to find the shonky wedding planner who has ruined the bride's big day. But allow God to judge? That's wrong. God is a god of love...God would never judge anyone...

But if Today Tonight can judge...surely God can. Have you ever told someone "Go to hell!"? So, you can judge but not God?

God's judgment therefore is not something to shy away from or be embarrassed about. Rather it is good news and light in a dark world. One day judgment will fall and all wicked, evil and injustices will be overthrown. All that is wrong will be made right. Isn't that welcoming good news?

And so when we come to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah we can see God's justice at work. And you'll notice two things. Firstly, God is slow to anger...

Genesis 18:20, 21 Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."

God does not fly off the handle. Unlike the parent who lashes out or the teenager who talks before they think God's judgment is informed and reasoned.

Which raises the question why? Why not flick the city off the map? Because judgment is never God's final word. Grace is...

Genesis 18:32 Abraham said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" The Lord answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."

For the sake of ten "good" people God is willing to spare a city full of ratbags. A city that gave a damn about no-one (Genesis 13:13; Ezekiel 16:49). God is willing to show grace to anyone who would turn and receive it.

So Lot accepts God's grace...but only just (19:16). He really didn't want to let go of the world. Lot's future sons-in-law laughed in the face of grace and knocked it back (19:14). And though Mrs Lot was staring grace in the face she sadly turned her back on it (19:26). And so only a few escaped the judgment that fell.

It'd be tempting to think that I'm not like that...and that God would never judge me. I've received God's grace so I'm okay. But listen to Peter...

1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Judgment begins with the Church. It begins with the person holding the placard "God hates fags". It begins with the minister decrying corrupt governments. It begins with the Church goer bemoaning the teenage hooligans in her street. Judgment begins with us and so what sort of people ought we to be?

We are to live a life that reflects the grace that has been shown to me. We must not be like Lot hesitating with the good news, happy to have one foot in the kingdom and the other in the world. And we need to take the good news out into the world...

2 Peter 3:9 God is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance

God is still slooow to anger. God still holds out grace. And one day God will judge. All that is wrong will be made right. But judgment is never God's final word - grace is. Therefore let us live out the grace that has been shown to us. Let us live in light of that great day.

Giving God a helping hand Genesis 16, 17

DIY shows are everywhere. The impossible now seems possible - the deck surrounding the pool...the new kitchen and bathroom...the bedroom makeover...the pergola and patio. But what we don't see is that these DIY shows are run by experts which are backed up by a team of experts. They're the ones off screen doing the real work whilst the hosts are giggling in front of the camera and wondering "Will we get it all finished in time?"

DIY is an attitude that we can have towards God and his promises. We're happy to trust God with the situation in Afghanistan...but take matters into our own hands when it comes to our money. We're happy to trust God with Sudan...but not how I feel about an ex, or my parents or some other relationship. We're happy to trust and pray that the situation is under control in North Korea...but in terms of my own future it's amazing how God's will seems to align itself with mine. What a coincidence...or is it?

Abram's is famous for having great faith...but it wasn't focused 100% of the time...

Genesis 16:1-6 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, "You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me." "Your servant is in your hands," Abram said. "Do with her whatever you think best." Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.

Rather than relying on God's perfect timing to fulfill his promise Abram and Sarai take matters into their own hands. Their DIY ends up in hurt, misery and alienation. But rather than rub out Abram God remains faithful to his promise...

Genesis 17:3-8 God said to him, "This is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God."

God repeats his promise to Abram. The thrust of which can be seen in all the "I wills". When you count them all you realise that it is God who will keep the promise; it God who will do all this; all Abram needs to do is trust and obey. Which he finally does...

Genesis 17:23-27 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him.

That must have hurt. But it was a sign that Abraham also cut off his DIY religion and began believing once again that God would keep his promise.

So how about you? Are you willing to cut off your stranglehold on your finances and trust them to God? Are you willing to cut off your grip on sex, relationships, career, the future and let God guide you in these big life decisions? What's to lose? God remained to faithful to Abraham though he did some lame brain things in his life. He came to realise that his DIY God paled in comparison to the real deal. Let us realise the same.

All that glitters Genesis 13-15

The Hubble Telescope got off to a shaky start but has over time produced the most amazing images of space and time ever. Hubble has enabled us to look with incredible detail into far away places never seen before.

Wouldn't it be great to have Hubble-like vision here on earth? To be able to look so forward that we'd understand were we are heading, what the future holds and how things would pan out. Wouldn't it be great to have Hubble-vision?

Abram's nephew Lot is not interested in having this type of vision - he's content to seeing only as far as his nose. So, Lot looked at Sodom; he saw that it was beautiful and took possession of it. The grass looked greener. But before Abram could feel cheated, God appeared to him and reminds him of not what he should look to, but who...

Genesis 13:14-15 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted."

And...

Genesis 15:5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be."

God reminds Abram that there are two ways to look. One is to look to at the earth; the other to God. One is to things that are temporary, the other toward eternity. God calls upon Abram to look to him. To trust in his promises. To not be sucked by what he sees...to not be like Lot. Looks can be deceiving. All that glitters is not gold...

And so how are your eyes? Do you look to God or are you diverted by the things of this earth? Are you fixing your eyes on God's promises or on fighting the seven signs of ageing...looking thinner...more money...bigger house...retirment et al? How often do you look forward to God fulfilling God's promises...because this is what Abram was famous for...

Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham...made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country...for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Lot's eyes were fixed in the things of the earth; the temporary buildings of men...which were later to crumble and fall. But Abram looked forward to the city that lasts forever. From humble, small, insignificant beginnings, he looked to the day God would fulfill his promises. That's what you call eyes of faith. Telescopic-Hubble-like eyes of faith. Let us do the same.

Trials of faith and family Genesis 12

Blessing. What is it? Where do you get it from? How can you hold onto it?

After 11 chapters of Genesis, there is no blessing. From the wonder of creation life on earth has fallen and fallen and fallen. With the people scattered from Babel, were can blessing be found and kept?

God enters the scene and is ready to introduce blessing once again. But God also introduces us to a stranger - Abram and it is to and through him that God promises blessing. It is a great promise to an insignificant man...

Genesis 12:1-3 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

So what do you do with a promise like that? You believe it and you put your faith in action...

Genesis 12:4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him.

God says leave and Abram goes. That's faith in action. That's a willingness to receive God's blessings and to trust that only in God's promises real blessing can be found and kept.

In the weeks ahead we'll see Abram's faith grow and fail at times. But we'll see a man who's trust remains in God's promises and in his blessings.

Who is this man? mark 10:46-52

Hobbies. Some people collect stamps, coins, records, magazines even belly button fluff. Personally I collect pictures of Jesus. I have pictures of Jesus playing hockey, as a baby, as a woman, as a Rastafarian, as a revolutionary, as a refugee, as an astronaut, as a...the list goes on and on. Why do I collect these? I am intrigued as to how people portray Jesus. I am amazed at the array of how people perceive who Jesus is.

Now this is not a new thing. Throughout the book of Mark people have different perceptions as to who Jesus is...

• I know who you are - you are the Holy One of God! 5:7
  
• Isn't this the carpenter's son? 6:3
• Some say you are John the Baptist or Elijah or another prophet 8:28
• You are the Christ 8:29

Everyone sees Jesus differently in Mark. But of all the people in the gospel the one with the best eyesight is ironically blind. He sees exactly who Jesus is...

• And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth he began to shout "Jesus Son of David have mercy on me..." 10:47

Some say that Jesus of Nazareth is heading the blind man's way but he sees that it's Jesus Son of David, God's promised Saviour and King. Though he is blind he can see that the Son of David is about to enter the City of David. So how did he see who Jesus was? Via eyes of faith...

• Go, your faith has healed you 10:52

It is through eyes of faith that enable not only the blind man but anyone to see who Jesus is. And knowing that in a week's time after this healing Jesus will be crucified...it'd be tempting to see him hanging there and think "The good die young..." or "Proof that the world is a rotten place..." or "He was man who stood up for his principles..." That'd be seeing but not perceiving. Rather through eyes of faith you can see that God sent his Son Jesus, his King to die on the cross for us bringing mercy to all those who have their trust in him.

So who do you think Jesus is?

Nothing like great service

Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in 280AD in what is known modern day Turkey. He lost his parents when he a boy but not before they had instilled in him the teachings of Jesus. Nicholas grew and devoted his life to following Jesus. When he was older the town he was living in needed a bishop, Nicholas was elected. But he was no Church official tucked away in an office. He used to beg for food and money to give to the poor. He would don a disguise and go out and give gifts to poor children. He gave away everything that he had. For his troubles Nicholas was imprisoned by the Emperor Diocletian and at the age of 34 he died.

Though it was short Nicholas' life story has spread around the world. Sadly people have done strange things to it. Years later someone gave him a red suit, a team of reindeer and had him climbing down chimneys. Years later someone else pictured him sculling Coca Cola. Somehow the story of Nicholas became St Nicholas which became Santa Claus.

It is sad that the original story has been lost. Though Nicholas was first he put himself last. Though he was a bishop it didn't stop him from being a servant. Why is that? Nicholas knew that this is what Jesus was...

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many

Nicholas was following Jesus' example. Jesus did not come to be pampered but to pay the price; to give his life for us. And he calls us to do the same...

Mark 10:42, 43 You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them. Not so with you. Instead whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.

Jesus doesn't ask to be anything he wasn't. Just as he served us he calls us to serve one another.

William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army sent a one word telegram to encourage fellow Sallies in their work. That one word was "Others".

Just as Jesus served us let us serve others.

Making the unclean clean Mark 1:40-2:17

Ben Southall is one lucky man. He's been chosen to receive the world's best job - working on the Great Barrier Reef. His job description includes feeding the fish, collecting the mail and cleaning the pool all from the tough surrounds of the numerous islands of the reef. Tough gig eh?

Jesus too had a job description. He says...

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners" 2:17

It'd be tempting to think that Jesus' job description was for people like...Damir Dokic...Matty Johns...Marcus Einfeld or the two Ascham girls caught cyberbullying. That it was for sickos like these Jesus came to make well. However Jesus' interactions with three people show that he came to make all of us well.

To the leper Jesus says "I am willing be clean" 1:41
To the paralytic Jesus declares "Son your sins are forgiven..." 2:5
To Levi the despised tax collector Jesus says "Follow me..." 2:14

So what is Jesus' job description? Was to enable us to be spiritually in tune? To help us in our journey? No. It was to make the unclean clean. All your sins - past, present and future - forgiven and forgotten by putting your faith and trust in Jesus.

And this is very good news. If you type "forgiveness" into google you receive 13 million hits. Amazon.com has over 181, 000 books on the subject. It seems that the world is crying out to be made clean. The good news is that in Jesus the unclean can be made clean.

So if you are a follower of Jesus your sins have been forgiven and forgotten. Remember that always. And be willing to share this good news. Remember Levi who invited other sinners over to his place to have dinner with Jesus. This was in an era before Twitter and SMS and email and blogs like this...it was just word of mouth. He simply got talking about who Jesus was and what he had done. And that was to make the unclean clean.

Who do you say I am? Mark 1:1-39

Who do you say...Paris Hilton is? How about Shane Warne? Nelson Mandela? Madonna? Who do you say they are; what words would you use to describe them?

With your words still ringing in your ears...have you actually met any of these people? Do you really know them? If not how is that you believe that you know them that you have a handle on who they are? My guess is that you've made a judgment call based on what they've done.

The same applies to Jesus. Everyone seems to have an opinion of who he is. We've never physically met the man but everyone believes they know who he is...largely based on what he has done.

So who do you think Jesus is?

Well let's answer that question according to those who were there, who knew him personally.

Jesus' cousin John declared...

"After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Mark 1:7, 8

God declares...

"And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Mark 1:11

Even the demons have a view of who Jesus is...

"Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!" Mark 1:23, 24

So the Baptist, God and the demons declare that Jesus is God's Spirit Giver, the Son the Holy One of God.

Surprisingly, not one of these said that Jesus was just a prophet. God didn't say that Jesus was spiritually in tune and he could help you to be spiritually in tune. And the demons didn't say that Jesus was just a good guy either.

So how did your answer to the question "Who do you think Jesus is?" match up with theirs? If it was askew then Jesus has some good news for you. He says...

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1:15

Today's the day to stop thinking Jesus is some new age guru or a mere prophet. He's God's Son Saviour and Spirit Giver. Believe and follow the real Jesus and he'll welcome you into his kingdom.

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.

jesus on religion matthew 6:1-18

In my scripture class when things get a little out of hand I call out "All eyes to me!" I then wait until everyone has stopped what they are doing and have turned and are focusing on me.

Now whilst that's a good way to discipline a rowdy scripture class it's not a good way to live out your faith in Jesus. Rather than "All eyes to me" he calls us to do our acts of righteousness with the attitude of "All eyes to God". Jesus says...

"Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven" 6:1

Hang on. Is this a contradiction of what Jesus said earlier?

"Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" 4:16

So are we to do our righteous acts so that others can see them or not?

Well there is no contradiction as the difference is in the motive. We can either do our acts of righteousness to be seen by others or we can do these to point people to God. If you want to seek the praise of people then go ahead God won't reward you 6:1, 5, 16. But if you are seeking to point people to him then you will be rewarded 6:4, 6, 18. That is, people will be pointed to God.

So what motivates you? Whether it's giving to the needy or praying or fasting or any number of other religious things that you do, are you seeking the praise of others or to point people to Jesus?

I hope you are not wanting "All eyes to me" but "All eyes towards him."

jesus on obedience matthew 5:17-48

When Jesus says "Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect" he's got to be kidding right? Who on earth can be that perfect?

Well the Pharisees had a shot at the title with their rules upon rules upon rules upon God's commands in the pursuit of perfection. However like our best efforts they too fell short of God's perfection.

So if the Pharisees aren't good enough where does that leave us? Rather than driving us to despair Jesus' words drive us to himself, to trust in his perfection. By being poor in spirit mourning our sin and humbling ourselves God welcomes us into his kingdom 5:3-5. Through Jesus we are made perfect.

So how should we live? Simple - be perfect. We should make it our goal to hunger and thirst for righteousness 5:6. Whether it's what goes into our heart 5:28 or comes out of our mouths 5:37; or in our relationships 5:31 even those who are our enemies 5:38-47 Jesus calls us to be perfect in all of life.

Whilst it may sound impossible...we can be perfect by remembering that we have the Spirit, the whole of Scripture 5:20 and of course the Son 28:20. Therefore, believe it or not, we can pursue perfection. Let's get to it.

the kingdom has come - matthew 4

Jesus declares "Repent and believe for the kingdom of heaven is near" 4:17. With a statement like that can he back it up?

Well, Jesus' temptation in the wilderness shows that whereas Israel failed he was faithful 4:10. God's true king has arrived. Also, by setting up home amongst the Gentiles 4:12-16 Jesus shows that the kingdom has come for all. Finally his preaching and teaching tour backed up by great healings shows that the kingdom has come in power 4:23-25. More so, the good news goes out and people and Jesus reels them in 4:24. So we can see that kingdom is indeed near.

And speaking of reeling them in, Jesus calls fishermen to follow him. At once they drop their nets get out of their boats leave their family business behind and follow 4:18-22. The kingdom has a cost and these ordinary unschooled men are prepared to pay (see Acts 4:13). They are ready to be fishers of men 4:19. He calls us to do the same today.

Yes that may sound a bit scary but remember Jesus' closing words in Matthew "Go and make disciples of all nations...and I will be with you always until the end of the age" 28:20. Immanuel, God is with us always...so, what are you waiting for? Go fish...and reel 'em in.

jesus on attitude - matthew 5:1-16

After his preaching teaching and healing Jesus goes up a mountain to find a bit of peace and quiet and to blow the minds of his disciples on what it means to live for his kingdom.

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is no ordinary talk. It is not a grab bag of ethics or a good living guide on how to live "the happy life". On the contrary Jesus declares do these things and there is a good chance someone will want to wipe the smile off your face 5:12. Rather in his 15min talk he declares how one enters the kingdom 5:3-5 and how one lives as a member. Jesus compels them to listen to his words 5:2 and to put them into practice 5:6 (see also 7:24).

For their troubles the disciple may be persecuted 5:11 or they may bring praise 5:16. Whatever the response Jesus calls his disciples to live for the kingdom; to be merciful, peacemakers, hungering to live God's way; he calls on them to be lights, cities and salt 5:13-16. Jesus' disciples are to stand out. The kingdom has come; it's time to show the world what the kingdom is like.

baptism of fire - matthew 3

John the Baptist declares that God is making a superhighway straight to save his people:

"A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "

So what do you do when God comes to town? Two things: repent v2 and bear fruit that shows that you have repented v8. Don't bank on your denomination, your cultural heritage, career or the fact that you're good to your mum. Rather repent and show the world that you have made way for the Lord in your life.

birth of the king - matthew 1, 2

It's the same ol' story year in year out - a baby is born, Bethlehem is the town, there's Mary and Joseph and some wise men coming to visit. It's the Christmas story and it gets retold every year. But in the opening chapters of his gospel Matthew is not just retelling a cute nativity scene but heralds the arrival of God's Son, Messiah, Saviour and King. As such, it's a story that shouldn't be reserved just for the 25th of December. Rather this is good news all year round.

thy kingdom come - matthew 1-7

welcome to the space to place your questions and comments about the Matthew 1-7 studies. These can range from the background to the Gospel eg audience, structure etc to a question in the study being clarified. More than happy to help. So feel free to leave a comment and we'll get back to you asap.

the frutiful life - john 15:1-17

I never really tried hard in high school and as such I received one comment on my report cards more than any other. They frequently said "Costa is coasting..." What it showed was that I wasn't trying, I wasn't putting in any effort and as a result I was getting average scores, just coasting my way through high school. If only I could have my time over again...

In John 15 Jesus compels us to bear fruit as we follow him. To not coast but to put real effort in following him. So how do you live the fruitful Christian life? It's by doing the basics...

1. remain in Jesus 15v5
   
2. read 15v3, 7
   
3. pray 15v7, 16

It sounds simple but it requires great effort - getting to Home Group, setting aside time to read your Bible and pray, not letting other things crowd these basics out. As we make these choices we will bear fruit for God desires to see this in our lives 15v7, 16.

So this year leave the coasting Christian life behind. It's time for your faith to bear fruit.