The Messiah’s Secret – A Child-like Faith.

Under  five’s -  Mary had a Little Lamb. This nursery rhyme was written from a true story. Mary Sawyer when she was a little girl looked after an orphan lamb. Mary loved the lamb and the lamb grew to love Mary.

Mary had a little lamb
its' fleece was as white as snow 

 And every where that Mary went
the lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day
and that was against the rule.

It made the children laugh and play

to see a lamb at school.

We followed the story, the children putting the sheep and the school on the board.

We come to church to learn about Jesus and as we grow in knowledge we love Jesus and we find that Jesus loves us and takes care of us.

James 3: 13-4: 3, 7,8. Mark 9: 30 – 37.

In our reading verse 31 Jesus was having a teaching session with his disciples.

Jesus was known as being a Rabbi – his interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures caused the people to marvel at his words. 

A Rabbi chose his disciples, Jesus said “You did not choose me, I chose you.” he called them to follow him and accept his ‘yoke’ meaning - his walk, his teachings and imitate the Rabbi and literally became part of his household, his follow for life. John 15: 16. Matthew 4: 19.10: 1, 25. 11: 29.

The Messiah’s Secret

Jesus told the disciples that he was going to be killed and would rise after three days. 
If Jesus had elaborated on it nothing has been written down.

We read that they did not understand they could not grasp it so they kept quiet, and they did not dare ask him about it.

The disciples had been taught like all the people from the teachers of the law, the scribes and the Pharisees, that when the Christ came he would remain for ever. John wrote that the crowd said, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever." How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?” John 12: 32-34

The teachers of the law enforced this view at Calvary when they said, "He saved others;  he cannot save himself. Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Mark 15. 31, 32.

Therefore when Jesus said that he was going to die at the hands of men, it was contrary to what they had been taught about Messiah. Luke 9 43 -45. 18: 31-34.John 12: 34.

If the disciples had understood about Jesus’ death and resurrection may be their attitudes would have been different: when Jesus was arrested they would not have all run away, fleeing the garden.

Peter maybe would not have denied his association with Jesus in the chief priest’s courtyard.

After his death and burial the disciples would have believed the women who came to the house telling them that they had seen the resurrected Jesus.

But we know that God had deliberately hidden Jesus ‘death from the disciples understanding until the evening of the day of Jesus’ resurrection, when he opened their minds to understand the scriptures concerning his suffering, death and resurrection. Luke 24: 44 – 48.

And later Peter said in his address at Pentecost Acts 2: 23 that it was in the definite plan and foreknowledge of God that Jesus was crucified and died.

The relevance of knowing this today

People who come from religions who's teachings do not believe that Jesus died on the cross, also deny the resurrection as well.

When the Centurion speared Jesus’ side we read that blood and water poured out. Science proves when a person dies the blood and water separate. This proves that Jesus did die on the cross. The evidence of his resurrection was recorded by eye witnesses. The truth of these things is acted upon by the Holy Spirit revealing Jesus to us in a personal way. John 19: 34.

In our Gospel reading when they reached Capernaum Jesus asked them what had they been discussing on the way.

The disciples were arguing who would be the greatest among them. James wrote that ambition causes disorder and leads to breaking up of the fellowship of the church.

Archbishop Justin Welby in his recent address at the General Synod in his final words said, “So, the good news. The Communion exists and is doing wonderful things. The bad news.  There are great divisions and threats.

The challenge. There is a prize of being able to develop unity in diversity and also with deeper and deeper ecumenical relations demonstrating the power of Christ to break down barriers and to provide hope for a broken world.

We must grasp that challenge, it is the prize of a world seeing Christ loved and obeyed in His church, a world hearing the news of his salvation.

So let us here, in the Church of England and above all in its General Synod, be amongst those who take a lead in our sacrificial, truthful and committed love for the sake of Christ for His mission in His world.”

In order for us to attain ‘sacrificial, truthful and committed love for the sake of Christ’s mission in his world,’ Jesus tells us to have the disposition of a child.

Mark 9: 36, 37. Jesus took a child and placed him in their midst and taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever, receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Children take people at face value they are unaware of a person’s position in society and they believe what they are taught and have a thirst for knowledge, they are teachable. Romans 2: 11. Matthew 22: 16.

Children are quick to learn – The children were lined up in the cafeteria for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted it on the apple tray, “Take only one. God is watching.” Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. One child whispered to another, “Take all you want, God is watching the apples.”

Children today are taught by mum, dad, grandparents and their nursery, church and school teachers.

Jesus looked to his teacher, his Father God. He had learnt from his Father and imitated him; he only did what he saw his Father doing.

Jesus said that his disciples are not to be called Rabbi; for you have one teacher and you are all brethren. Matthew 23: 8. 1 Corinthians 1: 10-13

The one teacher is Jesus and his disciples recorded his words so that we learn from Jesus, taking his words into our heart and his commandment to love one another, having the disposition of a child.

The Messiah’s Secret –  Hidden in Christ, in  God.

Evening Lectionary: Exodus 14: 5-31.  Matthew 6: 1-18                                                      

Hidden in Christ in God: visual aid.

 Large doll - God
Medium doll - Jesus
Small doll - Christian

Small doll  - in Jesus Christ

Both Jesus and Christian in God

When the Israelites knew Pharaoh was coming after them with his army, they were afraid. Moses prayed and the Lord responded telling Moses that he would fight for them and to be still. The result God stood between the Israelites and the Egyptians in the form of a cloud, protecting the Israelites.

Moses used his rod to part the Red Sea and the whole of Israel crossed over on dry land, the Egyptians followed them Moses lifted up the rod and God allowed the sea to return to its normal flow where Pharaoh’s army were left to their own devices to save themselves.

The Israelites by being still allowed God to deliver them without having to fight the Egyptians, it is an example of their lives being hidden in God. Hidden in God they did not have to strive in their own strength.

Jesus life on earth was hidden in God fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy  

“He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets, he will not break a bruised reed or quench a smouldering wick.” Isaiah 42: 1-4 Matthew 12: 18-21.                

The crowd threatened to kill Jesus on a number of occasions: At Nazareth after he read from the book of Isaiah; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has appointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” He went on to say “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”  “All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up and drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of a hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” Luke 4: 18, 19, 28-30.

For saying, “Before Abraham was, I AM,” that he and the Father were one of the same, they would have stoned him, but Jesus hid himself and left the temple. God protected him. John 8: 20, 59 10: 31. His life was hidden in God; he was doing God’s will with his care and protection.

Jesus had a loving gentle disposition.  

Unlike the Pharisees he was not pious, He did not need to draw attention to himself by shouting out his message, his presence was enough. He was forgiving and kind, gentle and lowly of heart. Jesus always spoke the truth and illustrated what it meant for his and their lives to be hidden in God, God fighting for them and his provision as well.  Matthew 11: 28- 30.                                                                

In the same chapter verses 25, 26 God’s provision they were not to be anxious about what they shall eat, drink or wear and he gave the examples of  God’s provision for the birds of the air, the lilies were clothed with amazing splendour and Matthew goes on to record Chapter 14 Jesus meeting the need of the 5,000 and the 4,000 people by a miracle manufacturing bread and fishes on the spot. Matthew 14: 13-21. 15: 32-39. 10: 29, 31.

In Matthew 6 Jesus taught what it meant for his disciples and us today for our lives to be hidden in God

Our holiness is hidden in what we say and do: to give a word in season and acts of kindness that is appropriate to the need.

His followers to give alms in secret, what we give between ourselves and God.

Jesus went to pray in quiet places where he talked to God in prayer. He encouraged his disciples to do the same. To pray in private, praying for others as well as our own situations.                                  

The reward  

Paul spoke of the secrets of Christians being revealed at the judgement seat of Christ, secrets in the doing of God’s will: telling people about Jesus, helping someone in some way, a record kept in heaven and will be rewarded by receiving our inheritance as children of God Romans 2:16                                                                                                          

Jesus’ prayer that he gave his disciples “The Lord’s Prayer” embraces our lives hidden in God, because we are children of God.

Jesus used this personal term ‘Our Father’ that we may see and revere God in this special way as he embraces all who become children of God in his heavenly kingdom.

Jesus united heaven and earth at his ascension, we pray to seek his will be done.   “If then you have been raised with Christ seek those things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3: 3

Our lives hidden in Christ in God

The provision of the living bread, the word that nourishes the soul that breathes forgiveness and healing.

In our gospel reading Jesus was fulfilling the law, therefore, forgiveness here is conditional on forgiving others, under grace Jesus gave the example of ‘the prodigal son’ who was forgiven before he returned home, his father went out to meet him.

While we are in the world we will go through trials and temptations. 

God will not allow us to be tempted to the point of no return, there will always be a way through, and victory over the evil one.               

Our nation was in a similar position as the Israelites when the German forces surrounded our army at Dunkirk.

Our present Queen’s father King George V1 during the last war in May 1940 God inspired him to call the nation to a week of prayer for the evacuation of our troops from Dunkirk in France.  

It is recorded that it was so successful due to the weather conditions that prevailed in the English Channel. The calm seas enabled thousands of privately owned boats to make that sea crossing picking up the troops off the sea shore at Dunkirk. 319,390 troops English, French, Belgium and Canadian were saved. Winston Churchill called it  “A miracle of deliverance.”  I would think that many Christians included fasting on that day. Fasting in secret accompanied with prayer for the right reasons, help us focus on the Lord and the situation.                                                                                              

Yesterday morning another aspect of being hidden in Christ in God came to mind, ‘God our Father determines when I die.’ Two hours later Freda rang me with her concerns about the assisted suicides debate in the House of Commons on Friday 11^th September.  She said that it was the second reading of Rob Marris Bill and could I put it on the News Sheet to make it known for people to pray.

Following this at the end of sermon, we discussed various points on the Bill that I had downloaded from the internet. All indicated that they were against the Bill, including a young doctor in the congregation.

I enter into the debate on the grounds that my life is hidden in God, and my Father in heaven will take care of me, even in suffering, to the end of my life on earth. 

I have since emailed 3 Members of Parliament with my concerns regarding this Bill. 

The  Messiah’s Secret – Coming from within Jesus ‘The Word of Truth.’

This morning’s visual aid -  A Bible Cake

The Bible – The Word of God. 
(expounded by Gerry and Janice) Summary below

Ezekiel ate the scroll the words that were sweet to the taste like honey, words that he had to give to Israel that were not pleasant.   John in his vision was told by the angel to "Take and eat it.(the little scroll) It will turn his stomach sour." John prophesying to the words of judgement on people and nations.  
Jesus’ words saying that it’s what comes from out of us is unclean, also could be described that is sour: anger, envy, greed and malice etc Ezekiel 3: 3.  Revelation 10: 10. Mark 7: 15

God wants us to feed on his word so we are able to share his word with others, not just to keep it to yourself..

Followed by 'Bible Facts'.

James 1: 17-27. Mark 7: 1-8, 14, 15, 21-25.

The Bible is the only book where the author is present

James called Jesus ‘The Word of Truth.’

Jesus the second person of the Trinity came into the world, born of a woman, to reveal the truth of God’s word. His thoughts and intentions that came from within his own heart, and mind revealing the goodness of God, his all embracing love in his actions and his deeds.

Jesus often said, ”Truly, truly, I say to you” he was emphasising the truth to his words one example below:

John 5: 24.”Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, he does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life.”  

John 6: 29. “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”                                                                                                             

Jesus’ words with promises John 14: 23, 26   “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home within him."                                                                                 

“The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Whether a person was rich or poor, Jesus responded from his heart, to their need, he taught the scriptures and healed all who came to him. 

Jesus looked at the person’s heart, Mark 7: 6. He discerned that many honoured him with their lips but their hearts were far from him
                                                                                                

The Pharisees and scribes chose to follow the traditions of men that was not compatible with the heart and will of God. Cleansing pots and washing hands had no affect on the thoughts and intentions of their hearts.

In Jesus' parable of the two sons, their father asked them to go and work in the vineyard

The first son said that he would not go, but afterwards he repented and went. The other son said that he would go, but he did not. Jesus then said to those listening, “Who did the will of their father?” Those listening replied “The first son.” Matthew 21: 28

The first son thought about it and changed his mind, he would go as he loved his father. The second son having said he would, rebelled against his father and did not go.

The rebellious nature that Jesus died for on the cross.

This is what James meant in his illustration of the mirror image it reflects human nature were our basic instinct is to look to ourselves rather than look to God.

We can not please God through our own self goodness, we have to be willing to let the cross do its’ work within us, to die to our self rule our rebellious spirit, in order for us to do our Father God’s will. For us to be like the tree that bends in the wind, we bend our will to do the will of God.

James pointed out  that we can discern a Christian’s sincerity of heart by them putting their faith into action.

 A week last Thursday  we went on a visit to Howarth, North Yorkshire, the main street was quite crowded and as we were leisurely walking up the street when from among the crowd a young man appeared, wearing a billboard, on it the words ‘The end is near’ he passed quickly by.
A lady just in front of me said, “How can he believe that all his life.” I chipped in, “It does work.” She turned and looked at me and hastily they moved on up the street.                                                                                                        

We were taken completely by surprise, I thought afterwards I could have said something better, but I thanked the Lord I was able to support the young man, he had planted a word in that ladies heart. James called Jesus the ‘implanted word’ that is able to save the soul.

Implants are used when a person’s organ fails. The flawed Mosaic Law has been replaced by the perfect law that gives freedom, liberty, and righteousness of life. James called it 'The Royal Law, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” James 2: 8 Galatians 6: 2.

Over recent months we have been witnessing a huge migration of people from eastern countries to Europe, escaping the extremes of Islam and civil wars.

These people are looking for the safety, security and freedom that derives, in my view from the freedom that our faith in Christ gives us, freedom coming from within a person, as we feed on the word of God guided by the Holy Spirit. It is the transforming power that works through nations and people.

The migration of people, it is a difficult problem but as James challenged the Christians of his day, our faith in Christ, calls us to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’  

The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the Bread of Forgiveness.

Repentance and forgiveness for every day injuries is something we give and receive all the time.

I tread on your toe and you forgive me.

Someone makes you late – Never mind that’s okay.

Our possessions get damaged – It’s hard but we can forgive.

Sketch.

Through repentance and forgiveness Jesus is still healing the scars of 2 World Wars

We can bury every hatchet, forgive, forget and start again, but for all people at some point in our life we will need to get right with God.”All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3: 23.

True repentance isn’t turning over a new leaf making a fresh start out of fear of punishment or saying the words of repentance out of self pity, without really meaning it. We can be comfortable with our sin, and ignore the call to repent of it.

The cross is where we recognise that we need to say sorry to God, for the things that we have done wrong.

God will meet us at the cross at the first sign of repentance and act on Jesus taking our place, bearing the cost in dying for our sin on the cross.

God forgives us for everything, when we turn completely to him making a full turn, not half hearted, but saying that we are sorry with all of our heart, mind and will. We receive forgiveness through our faith in what Jesus has done for us on the cross.                                                                                                                        

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

ABSOLUTION

We celebrate at Communion what Jesus has done for us in reconciling us with God our Father.

The song writer Graham  Kendrick wrote ‘In the bread there is healing and in the cup there is life for ever,’ in the cup, the wine representing the blood of Christ.

The greatest healing was when Jesus came from heaven to earth in the flesh, to heal our broken relationship with God so that we will walk in newness of life with God. Romans 6: 4

In our reading Jesus was discussing in the synagogue at Capernaum with the Jewish people the significance of his claim being the bread of life. He said, “Unless you eat of this bread and drink his blood you shall not have life within you,”

Some of his own followers were appalled

The majority of people gathered in the synagogue, when they heard him say this were affronted. To understand why, under kosher laws, the Jews were not allowed to eat blood, as life is in the blood and also certain creatures were deemed unclean: shell fish, the pig, and some cloven footed animals etc.

For those Jews at Capernaum, for them to participate in eating and drinking Jesus’ body and blood would mean accepting, acknowledging that his life laid down was the end of Kosher law.

His followers on another occasion had heard Jesus say that all foods were clean, he stated that it’s not what you ate that defiled a person, it was what comes from the heart: deceit, hatred, revenge, coveting and pride etc.

So what Jesus referring to had yet to happen, his body and his blood would be the final atoning sacrifice for the sins of the flesh, coming from the heart, not from what they ate.

Rev John Hadley in his book ‘Bread of the World’ supported by the Bishop Trevor Huddleston he writes:

“Jesus gave himself up, in his life and on the cross, finally and totally and irreversibly; he suffered death and was buried; but God vindicated him by raising him up from the dead, and it is his risen body which we celebrate and receive in the Holy Communion.”

The bread and the wine are tokens of repentance and forgiveness and as we are raised up to walk in newness of life.

Visual Aid. Scarce Copper butterfly

We have an example in nature: from the egg the caterpillar emerges and lives for a short time.

It then it attaches itself to a branch and makes a pupa or chrysalis where it goes through a transformation and the butterfly emerges from it. Below Scarce Copper butterfly (my attempt to replicate the butterfly)

So all people are sinners in God’s eyes until we come to the cross and repent  and we are transformed by the Holy Spirit acting upon our faith in Jesus’ body and blood atoning for us, redeeming us and as a result we are raised up with Jesus in his resurrection.

Paul in his letter to the church at Rome 6: 5 “If we are united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Jesus in conversation with Martha said, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

The bread and the wine also symbolising Christians sharing Christ’s brokenness and healing in forgiving one another from the heart. 
The picture to the right was as a result of me arguing with church members about whether the church should close or not. I did not want it to close. After the Lord gave me this picture I repented from my heart, by arguing I was knocking nails into Jesus' hands upon the cross. I drew the picture and wrote these words, "Tuesday 3rd May the picture came to me while I was sat at prayer in St John's Stonefold. The compassion of Jesus as the fightings and arguments in the world nail him to the cross, over and over again. The importance of Communion." The year would be 1993.

On the cross Jesus was heard to say, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” he not only forgave all who come to him in faith, he asked his Father to forgive as well.

Our own unforgiving spirit has been nailed to the cross, and were we find it hard to forgive sometimes, because of being hurt, injured. The sharing of the bread symbolises were Jesus asked his Father to forgive also, so we ought to forgive each other." .

Christians across the globe sharing the bread and the wine tokens of repentance and forgiveness and newness of life walking in the Spirit. 

Paul's letter to the Ephesians. 
Paul wrote encouraging them to be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love as Christ loved us. To imitate Jesus and seek the will of the Lord is for us rejoicing together. "Speaking to one another with Psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." So we remember, "The joy of the Lord is our strength," because we are forgiven. Ephesians 5: 19, 29. Nehemiah 8: 10.

Evening Lectionary; Exodus 2: 23, 3: 10.  Luke 12: 49 - 58.

God in his Omnipresence –through his presence everywhere, he heard  the cries of the Hebrew people and being Omniscient – knowledge of all things, he knew they were suffering at the hands of the Egyptians. Also God in his Omnipotence – all powerful was about to relieve their suffering through Moses leading them as a nation towards the Promised Land.

Moses was curious when he saw that the bush was burning but it was not burnt up. God spoke to him from out of the bush.

                        

In our New Testament reading Jesus spoke of casting a fire upon the earth, the fire of judgement. A fire not yet kindled until after Pentecost, a fire not seen in the flesh, but would be felt by the presence of the Spirit of God working in people’s lives across the world

The Holy Spirit’s ministry convicting people of the sin of unbelief of rejection of Jesus being the Messiah, of righteousness and of judgement.

Jesus knew that the Gospel message “God so loved the world, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” 

This claim would divide families in their religious beliefs, even husbands and wives would disagree in what they believed. I am sure we can recall people who we know are in this situation.                 

In Moses situation, he probably was not sure what his beliefs were before he met God at the burning bush. He knew he was a Hebrew, his father Amram and his mother Jochebed who were Levites descendants of Jacob. However, he had been rejected by the Hebrew man who saw him kill the Egyptian when he was defending a fellow Israelite.

Moses also had been brought up as an Egyptian in Pharaoh’s household, he must have been familiar with the gods of Egypt and His father-in-law Jethro was a priest of the Midianites, Zipporah one of seven daughters of Jethro became Moses’ wife. Exodus 15: 20.

When God spoke to him he identified himself as the God of his father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob how that must have impacted Moses’ beliefs.

The importance of having a real contact with the God who you believe in is amazing.

Simon Altaf brought that home to me on his CD. He sought for 10 years for Allah to speak to him as he prayed faithfully asking him to make himself known to him and it never happened. He came in contact with a fundamentalist Muslim who had become a Christian and he learnt from him what Christianity is about having a personal relationship with Jesus.

Simon asked Jesus to make himself known to him and Jesus did, he spoke to him while Simon was at work “Follow me” those were the words he heard Jesus say to him in his inner ear and so he continues to follow Jesus today.

Moses is described as being full of meekness.

Moses was not pushy type of person, he was probably quite dignified, and he had made a stand against injustice, both defending the Hebrew and stepping in to stop the shepherds pushing in to water their sheep before Jethro’s daughters at the well.               

But he had run away from Pharaoh after killing the Egyptian and when God asked him to go to Pharaoh it was not surprising that he was not too happy. The task that God had given him to do was to request that Pharaoh let the children of Israel go to a land flowing

with milk and honey, the land of Canaan

The Lord brings us face to face with our failings, wrongdoings and then undertakes bringing healing through a trial. a furnace of fire. Every Pharaoh claimed to be an incarnation of the sun god Amenra and was known as the son of the sun. 

God showed Himself supreme above every false god and also supreme above the being who inspired and directed the evil spirits behind these pagan deities.

Jesus during his ministry showed his Godly authority over the God of this world, but the leaders of the nation could not discern the signs he gave them. 

Jesus was not carrying a rod, he was God himself casting out evil spirits and I have found out through studying he was aware of people's fear of spirits.                                                                                                                       

Jesus deliberately went into the desert where it was believed evil spirits lived. Another reason he did not wash his hands because of the Jewish belief that evil spirits resided on unclean hands. Receiving water from the woman of Samaria, he had no fear of drinking borrowed water and no fear of spirits behind their idols.

For us who follow Jesus, he’s the fire that burns within us, that does not consume us. Instead he lights up the way for us to fulfil God’s will.

The Messiah’s Secret – Ecclesiastes 3 Time and Eternity

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-15. 

Ecclesiastes – The Preacher.

It is generally thought that the first section of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon, even though his name is not mentioned, however, Chapter 1: 1 would indicate that Solomon is the author.“The words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.”

King Solomon asked God not for long life or wealth but for wisdom. 1 Kings 3: 9 – 12

Further evidence that he was the author in verses 16,

” I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.”  1: 1, 16,

Solomon discerned in his wisdom that God has put eternity into our minds.

In the early days of the church, people’s hearts were being changed, the time had been fulfilled were God had revealed eternity in his Son, Jesus.

Jesus has united earth and heaven in his death, resurrection and ascension.

The Spirit of God that has been sent from heaven to the earth and through faith in Jesus unites us to where Jesus is in heavenly places in eternity.

In the Spirit Philip was taken by the Spirit in bodily form from one place to another in a moment of time, he didn’t travel the distance. “”and when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus, and passing on he preached to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.” Acts 8: 39, 40.

In the book ‘Heavenly Man’ Brother Yun was taken in a moment of time from one place to another in bodily form.”Suddenly, even though I didn’t feel anything or notice anything happen, I found myself entering my home village  without any time passing! What should have taken a few hours just took a few moments.” Page 39 “The Heavenly Man” Paul Hatterway, Monarch Books.

The Time dimension we live in.

In science the space program is travelling in earth time, it took 16 months to reach Pluto and longer to go beyond our solar system.

Our experience in relation to ‘time’ a constant movement between one state to another “A time to be born and a time to die”. From being a baby to child, child to adolescent, youth to maturity, adult to old age followed by death.

 “A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what was planted.” Seasons ebbing and flowing: summer to Autumn, autumn to winter, winter to spring, spring to summer. The cycle of planting  and watching the growing process until the time arrives when the plants are cleared and the ground is prepared to start the process again.

“A time to kill and a time to heal.” The miracle of our human body, the white blood cells in our blood kill off bacteria and re-construct through the DNA in the white cells.

“A time to breakdown and a time to build up.”

God appointed time to fulfil a purpose. 

Sir Winston Churchill wrote, “There comes a special moment in everyone’s life, a moment for what a person is born, that special opportunity, when he seizes it, will fulfil his mission for which he was uniquely qualified. In that moment, he finds greatness. It is his finest hour.”

During those war years many people wept and mourned their loss of family and friends. At the end of the war people embraced each other in laughter and people danced for joy.

Memories

Forgiving those who had hurt others in a time of war on both sides takes time, those who sought answers as to what had happened and why it had happened could  perhaps see that knowledge doesn’t over time change the heart of man, only God can do that.

“A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time cast away; a time  to rend, and a time  to sew; a time to keep silent, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time to war, and a time for peace.” 

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1: 9 

Only God can change our ‘time’ to eternal time Jesus has made it possible for those who believe in him to enter into eternal time, a continual never ending time,  for ever more

Amen

The Messiah’s Secret – Love for God

Lectionary Job 28.  Luke 12: 13 – 21

The deepest gold mine in the world Tau Tona, is in South Africa, it produces approx $ 2 million dollars in gold annually. it’s 2,4 miles deep with 500 miles of tunnels and employs 5,600 miners.        

Job wrote that people seek for earthly riches, they understand the value of gold, but the majority of people do not understand the value of true wisdom that comes from God.

Jesus showed great Godly wisdom in his conversation with the man who was disgruntled with his brother’s attitude towards him. His brother coveted possessions and money as a result he was keeping all the inheritance. He came to Jesus perhaps believing that the Messiah would be a man like Moses who inquired of God over disputes. Exodus 18: 13, 16. Deuteronomy 18: 15, 18-20.

But Jesus came not to judge, and he did not condemn people, he came to show God’s love and compassion in embracing the outcasts, his healing ministry and he taught the Hebrew scriptures with authority.

We know that after his ascension to heaven, Jesus mediates between us and God, bringing our prayers before God, his throne of grace.

In the parable Jesus was showing the lifestyle of a man who had accumulated wealth, but we understand by this man’s approach to life he enjoyed and loved possessions, living in luxury and he didn’t think he would one day be accountable before God for his richness towards God, his love for God. (I've prayed over many years to understand the meaning of 'richness towards God.')

I looked for examples in the gospels were people showed their love for God:  the widow showed her love for God when she gave more than she could afford putting her copper coins into the treasury. Jesus said, ”Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for they contributed out of their abundance but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had." Luke 21: 1, 2. 

Matthew gave up his job as a tax collector to follow Jesus. Matthew 9: 9. 

The Centurion in his faith he showed his love and trust in Jesus' word. Matthew 8: 5-13. 

The Samaritan who had been healed of his leprosy came back to Jesus to thank him. "Then when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice, and fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks." He loved God and gave thanks to him. Luke 17: 15, 16. 

Job showed his love for God even though he had lost all his children, his wealth and his health. He trusted and was dependent upon God for every breath of life. He did not blame God for his demise. Job 21: 22. 42: 10, 12 Blog  A Short Study of Job

Disciple Peter was asked by Jesus three times, "Do you love me Peter?" Peter had gone through a time of trial through his denial of knowing Jesus. In his conversation he responded saying, 'he knew that he loved him'. Peter had repented when he realised his sin, he left the courtyard of the High Priest Caiaphas and wept bitterly showing his love for Jesus from his heart, his soul, his strength, his mind and will. Luke 22: 62

I do not think that Peter was half hearted, true repentance is not turning over a new leaf, making a fresh start for fear of punishment or saying words of repentance out of self pity. Repentance is when our conscious working with the Holy Spirit brings us to that place of recognition of sin against God and as a result we make a full turn, from the heart out of love for God. "You shall love God with all your heart, with all your soul, our strength, and with all of our mind, and to love your neighbour as yourself." Luke 10: 27. 

We know Jesus' generous love and we are able to love God. 
Jesus our redeemer died on the cross, suffering for the sin of the world. Jesus suffered the loss of everything material, to live for God in complete surrender to the Father he loved. He was crucified, laying down his life in his love for us, the future church family. "And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister and mother." 

How do we show our love for God? When we are doing the Lord our God's will, and when  in worship we express our love for God, lifting our hearts in praise, prayer and thanksgiving. As we share the good news about Jesus with others. Also when we talk to God in prayer, bringing our own concerns and those of others to him out of love for them.                                    

Going through our trials we show our love for God when we trust him and are dependant upon him, we lean not on our own understanding, “Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1: 12