Dec 31, 2018 - Year end meditation on Romans 14:12

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

I always enjoy December 31st, for there is something inside me that turns my mind back over the past year and attempts to evaluate myself and my efforts over the past year. Don’t get me wrong - for I don’t always enjoy the evaluation, many times I experience disappointment even frustration as I think through the previous year. However, I do enjoy the process for I realize how important it is to evaluate what I have done, or what I have been, in order to see the gracious hand of God in my life, or to see my need for change and seek His help in the coming year to see that change happen. Now I realize that there are some people, perhaps more than I know, who don’t intentionally evaluate, nor measure progress, nor set goals for their lives, but whether or not they evaluate intentionally, I think all people engage in forward thinking - a type of visioning in which they have an idea of the direction they would like their life or their activities to go, and, whether or not it is an intentional evaluation, all people experience disappointment or joy associated with how close reality has come to their concept of a preferred future.

As Christians, we are to live our lives on earth with the full realization that we serve a risen Lord before whom we will give an account for all that we have done, and all that we have been. Paul is clear in this chapter that we don’t give that account to other Christians - we can fall into that trap pretty quick - worrying about acting like others, or eating what they eat etc. Don’t serve others or live to please others - we are serving a Risen Lord, who has a will regarding our life and service and before whom we will give an account. So today or sometime this week, as our minds go back over this year, and as we think about ourselves, our families and our workplaces, let us ask the Lord to make His evaluation of us - our evaluation of us. That is - let us ask Him to make His thoughts regarding us as His servants, what we did, and who we have been, our thoughts. For if we see ourselves with His eyes, and see where we pleased Him, and where we grieved Him - well that experience will surely help us serve Him better next year which will benefit us, our families and our communities as we step into the future.    

Dec 20, 2018 - Suggested Reading Psalm 148 for Dec 23rds messages on Luke 1:5-25 and Luke 1:26-38 in our morning services at 9 and 10:45

“Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.”

Psalm 148:2 (NIV)  

The list of those who should praise the LORD is very complete, and appears to be in the order of creation.

The angels are at the top of the list – the first created

Then the sun and moon and stars

Then the heavens (atmosphere) – waters above the skies

Let them praise the LORD for He created them with a decree that is everlasting.

Then the sea creatures and ocean depths

Then the weather systems that do His bidding

Then the mountains, hills and trees

Then the wild animals and cattle

Then the small creatures and birds

Then comes the humans – the last created

The kings, princes and rulers

The men and women and aged and children.

Let them praise the Name of the LORD

for His Name is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and heavens

for He raised up for us a horn (our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ) who is the praise of God’s faithful servants who are the people close to His heart.

Let us stop right now and praise the LORD!

Dec 19, 2018 - Suggested Reading Matthew 26 for Dec 23rds messages on Luke 1:5-25 and Luke 1:26-38 in our morning services at 9 and 10:45

"Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”

Matthew 26:7 (NIV)  

What a sobering question our Lord puts to Peter- basically telling Peter “I don’t need you to fight for me – if I wanted to fight these men I have a multitude of angels I could use.”

Jesus didn’t want to resist the men- He wanted to obey His Father and go to the cross.

He knew that Judas would betray Him, that Peter would disown Him, and that the others would desert Him, and yet He wanted to walk the path God had laid out for Him.

I wonder what the angels wanted?

The angels who had announced His birth, who had warned Joseph and the wise men, who had ministered to our Lord after Satan left Him in the wilderness, and who had
comforted our Lord in the garden.

 I wonder what those angels wanted to do?

He could have called 10,000 angels to destroy the world and set Him free

He could have called 10,000 angels, But He died alone, for you and me.

What a beautiful song we used to sing!

What a beautiful thought to meditate on!

The angels stood by and watched the Son of God die at the hands of some puny little humans, and they waited to see what wonderous plan God and His Son were unfolding.

Did they know as they watched that the Son of God was dying for you and for me?

Dec 18, 2018 - Suggested Reading Job 38 for Dec 23rds messages on Luke 1:5-25 and Luke 1:26-38 in our morning services at 9 and 10:45

“while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?”

Job 38:7 (NIV)

As we begin to consider the angel's messages concerning the birth of Jesus, recorded in Luke’s gospel, it is good for us to consider how little we know about angels. 

Reading Job 38 will always help you realize how little we know, and how quiet we should be.

God tells Job to “brace himself like a man” (could God be poking fun at us?) and then asks Job a series of questions that reveal our lack of knowledge. There will be some who will tell us that science will answer all of these questions, and that it is only a matter of time before we can answer all of God’s questions- but I would say to those individuals, that all they are doing is “bracing themselves like a man” and fooling themselves about their ability to understand the created world we exist in. For no matter how many things we learn or dissect into bits or experiment with or explore what we can see, we could never be present at creation.

Now the first question is; “Where you there…?”. The answer obviously is “No I wasn’t”

The knowledge we were not present at creation should instill humility in us, that knowledge should quiet us before our Creator.

The angels were there though, and they shouted for joy at what God had created.

Are the morning stars another term for angels? Or did the stars sing and the angels shout? 

Either way something beyond our understanding happened when creation sprang into existence, something that the angels witnessed and rejoiced over.

God’s questions were meant to humble Job, to put him in a place within his own mind, where he could worship God in a deeper way.

May God’s questions do the same thing for us, may we be humbled at the feet of the Creator, may our questions fade in silence, and may our questioning thoughts turn into worshipful thoughts.

Dec 15, 2018 - Suggested Reading Isaiah 22 for Dec 16th's message on 1 Corinthians 15:20-34 in our worship service at 9:00am

““Let us eat and drink,” you say, “for tomorrow we die!””

Isaiah 22:13 (NIV)

Isaiah 22 contains the same geographical vision of Psalm 110, for they both look towards Jerusalem and Zion.

But Psalm 110 sees the mighty scepter and the mighty army with their mighty King conquering the foe, whereas Isaiah 22 sees utter defeat and disaster.

Defeat instead of victory.

Disaster instead of joy.

All because they are unwilling to repent, to mourn over our sin, to ask God to change them,
to save them.

No- instead let us embrace our defeat and indulge ourselves for the few short hours we have left.

Do we do this in our lives? Do we embrace disaster? Do we refuse to mourn over sin?

Refusing to repent is the unforgivable sin.

The people of Isaiah’s day committed this sin.

Will we continue in our sin? Or will we repent of our sin?

Turn away from our pride and our sin - look to our Lord,
put His commands into practice in our lives.

Then we will see the vision of Psalm 110 instead of the vision of Isaiah 22.

Victory instead of defeat.

Joy instead of disaster.

Dec 14, 2018 - Suggested Reading Psalm 110 for Dec 16th's message on 1 Corinthians 15:20-34 in our worship service at 9:00am

“The LORD says to my lord:

“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

Psalm 110:1 (NIV) 

Matthew 22 records that our Lord Jesus quoted this verse and asked; “If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” and then that the Pharisees had no answer, and realized that they could ask Him no more questions. 

It is a mystery that David’s descendant could also be His lord- how can that be?

This mystery was revealed in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God and descended from David born of a woman. 

Our Lord Jesus asked this question of the Pharisees to show them their lack of understanding and to point them to Himself.

Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and the promises of Psalm 110 apply to Him!

The LORD (YHWH) has told Jesus to sit at His right hand.

The LORD (YHWH) has promised Jesus a mighty scepter and a large army.

The LORD (YHWH) has promised that Jesus will be our forever priest.

The Lord (Adonay) has promised to be at Jesus’ right hand as Jesus crushes the kings and
judges the nations.

Friend do you believe these promises?

Do you believe that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God?

Are you willing to be one of those young men who come to Him to serve Him in His army?

Does Jesus intercede for you as your forever priest?

Serve Him! Serve our Risen Saviour today!

Step into His battle today, in His strength, wearing His armour.

Watch your spiritual enemies melt away.

Dec 13, 2018 - Suggested Reading Psalm 8 for Dec 16ths message on 1 Corinthians 15:20-34 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”

Psalm 8:2 (NIV)

Is the LORD (YHWH) our lord (adon)?

Is the Creator of heaven and earth our lord?

Do we bow before Him?

Do we ask Him for permission to speak?

Do we ask Him for permission to marry?

Do we ask Him for permission to move?

A lord (adon) owns His subjects, and they live, move and exist at His pleasure.

A Christian becomes a Christian when they confess Jesus as Lord.

Yet how many Christians give our Lord His proper place?

Our place is below the angels and above the animals.

His place is on the throne of my heart.

His place is in the praise from my lips.

His Name is majestic, His Name is power, His Name is grace and love.

What are we really, the human species?

We were made to praise Him and to serve Him.

May we do both this day!

Dec 6, 2018 - Suggested Reading Ecclesiastes 6 for Dec 2nd's message on 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow?
Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?”

Ecclesiastes 6:12 (NIV) 

If you want to get depressed about life just read Ecclesiastes 6.

We might consider this writing to be the fruit of Solomon’s time away from God, and therefore ignore it simply because it is so depressing.

But what if it is biblical truth?

What if Solomon is sharing biblical truth - or a proper view on our time on earth?

The truth is that our life is a shadow, and that we are here just for a few days relative to God.

The truth is that our lives are meaningless, that when we are gone, who really notices?

I have heard people say at funerals that their loved one will always be alive because they are in their heart - and yet the person saying that is not going to be there much longer themselves.

What if you lived 2,000 years? That would be impactful wouldn’t it?

Not really- we all go to the same place, whether we are stillborn or live for 2,000 years.

Speak for yourself John you say - I am going to heaven to be with Jesus!

Ah now – we are getting close to the point of Ecclesiastes.

Once we realize that everything in life, including life itself, is meaningless - we will stop striving and start trusting in our Lord and Saviour. 

We will start working for His kingdom, for eternal rewards instead of striving after the things that are absolutely meaningless.

Meaningless!

Meaningless!

Dec 5, 2018 - Suggested Reading Job 19 for Dec 2nd's message on 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;”

Job 19:25-26 (NIV) 

Job’s hope was in the next life – not in this life.

Yeah he was in a bad way - he had troubles most of us don’t - that should make us listen closer.

He knows more than we know- he experienced riches and family and honour and praise, and now he was experiencing poverty and barrenness and shame and contempt.

We should learn from him.

We should work at acquiring the ability to KNOW that our Redeemer lives.

We should work at BELIEVING that I will see God on this earth in my flesh.

There is a healthy, godly perspective gained by this effort.

To KNOW and to BELIEVE is to have FAITH.

This FAITH that has as its object – our Redeemer and the resurrection - is the FAITH that will carry us through the disasters that befall us.

Our hope is in the next life, not this life!

November 30, 2018 - Suggested Reading 1 Peter 2 for Dec 2nds message on Matthew 8:1-17 in our worship service at 10:45am

““He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

1 Peter 2:24-25 (NIV) 

These 2 verses are full of Isaiah 53.

Peter understands Isaiah 53 as prophecy about Jesus of Nazareth.

He understands Jesus as our example, to be followed. That is - He expects us to emulate the characteristics of Christ in our daily lives, and interactions with those around us. He understands Isaiah 53 as teaching us that Christ’s sacrifice gives us the ability to live in a way consistent with Christ and inconsistent with our sin nature. Peter understands “by His wounds you have been healed”, as a declaration of the reality that every Christian has been healed from their own propensity to go their own way of sin. His understanding of this verse stands against teachers who teach that our physical healing is in the atonement. Peter saw the healing in the atonement as a spiritual healing, a cutting away of our sin nature, a renewed ability to be led by the Shepherd and Overseer of our soul.

Oh that we might live in the fullness of this healing!

That we might die to sins and live for righteousness today.    

November 30, 2018 - Suggested Reading Galatians 1 for Dec 2nds message on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”

Galatians 1:9 (NIV) 

As it was in Paul’s day so it is in our day.

False preachers are perverting the gospel of Christ.

The problem in Galatia was legalism added to the gospel, a focus on the external instead of the internal, ignoring the power within by concentrating on the external appearance.

The problem in Canada in 2018 is license added to the gospel, a focus on the invisible internal, while ignoring the ability of the power within to change our external behaviour.

Paul’s answer was to preach grace - a powerful grace - not a weak tolerance of everything, but a powerful change from within through faith in Christ Himself who is alive within us. And Paul used himself as an example of how this powerful grace works.

Our answer should be to preach grace - a powerful grace - that must change our lives from the inside out, if Christ is truly alive within us?

Grace is not tolerance- grace is unmerited favour- God moving into our lives in spite of our sin and rescuing us from this evil age. God changing us, saving us, day by day, hour by hour from our own sinful inclinations, as we come to the cross again and again seeking forgiveness, seeking the power of God to radically change our external behaviour, from the inside out.

As we preach the gospel of Christ – the gospel of powerful grace - are we able to use ourselves as an example? Are we being rescued? Or are we under Paul's curse?

November 29, 2018 - Suggested Reading John 12:26-40 for Dec 2nds message on Matthew 8:1-17 in our worship service at 10:45am

“This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

John 12:38 (NIV) 

The apostle John understood clearly that Isaiah 53 was all about Jesus of Nazareth.

It is sobering to stop and think about what the Words  of verse 37 & 38 mean.

Ever wish that we lived during the time of our Lord’s ministry on earth, as He walked around teaching, healing and driving out demons? If we could only have Him with us now we think. But wait- there is a link between those who saw the arm of the Lord  and those who wouldn’t believe. The ones who were present and saw with their own eyes the miraculous working of God’s power thru His beloved Son, were the ones who didn’t believe. Maybe it is a good thing that we weren’t there, if the choice is between saving faith and seeing miracles, I will choose the saving faith!

John tells us that the choice is God’s not ours.

He tells us thru Isaiah’s words that the reason people didn’t believe is because God blinded them. The miracles by themselves were not enough to cause people to believe, The Holy Spirit needed to do a work inside people so that they could see Jesus for He who truly is.

Friend – we don’t need miracles and signs and wonders for revival in our families and our land.

We need the Spirit to move in a powerful way in our lives, and in our loved ones’ lives.

We should pray and pray and pray.

Watching and waiting for the Spirit to move in power inside ourselves and our loved ones.

November 29, 2018 - Suggested Reading 2 Corinthians 4 for Dec 2nds message on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) 

To set forth the truth plainly – is the mission statement of the great apostle Paul.

This is quite an extraordinary chapter by an extraordinary man- but wait he calls himself a jar of clay - he seems to think he is pretty ordinary.

This chapter is full of encouragement to continue setting forth the truth plainly.

People not responding to the message?

Don’t lose heart - remember that people are blind and need God to speak light into their hearts.

Don't resort to tricks or emotional manipulation.

Keep on setting forth the truth plainly.

Hard pressed? Perplexed? Persecuted? Struck down? Given over to death?

Keep on setting forth the truth plainly.

We have believed so we speak- for the benefit of those who listen so that God’s grace would reach more and more people – causing thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Keep on setting forth the truth plainly.

Wasting away outwardly? Troubles anyone?

Keep on setting forth the truth plainly.

November 28, 2018 - Suggested Reading Acts 8:26-40 for Dec 2nds message on Matthew 8:1-17 in our worship service at 10:45am

“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”

Acts 8:35 (NIV)

This wonderful account of the Spirit led, Spirit empowered conversion of the Ethiopian removes any doubts regarding the identity of the Servant described in Isaiah 53.

Tell me please who is the prophet speaking about is answered by Phillip telling him the good news about Jesus. This means categorically that Isaiah 53 is about our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice that the Holy Spirit used the Word of God to convert this man, and the Holy Spirit used a human to tell the gospel - to relate the ancient prophecy to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. To tell a man who is concerned about his state before His Creator, that our Creator sent His Son whom He loved, to earth to suffer at the hands of humans, and to die on our behalf so that we could have peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Would we be willing today to be used by the Holy Spirit to tell the good news to a stranger?

Not to force it on them, but to surrender to the Spirit and ask Him to lead us to the individual, show our selves to them and answer their questions.

What about a neighbour?

What about a family member?

Ah you say - come on John, Phillip was a special individual, he was an evangelist, let the experts share the gospel. No friend, the same Spirit who miraculously gifted Philip and converted the Ethiopian is the same Spirit working in us and through us.

Ask Him to lead you - tell Him you are willing. 

November 28, 2018 - Suggested Reading Romans 1 for Dec 2nds message on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.””

Romans 1:17 (NIV)

In the epistles of Paul we must always note the linking word for. It is more than just a link word to keep a sentence moving, it is a link word that communicates dependence of the first statement upon the following statement.

Paul is eager to preach the gospel FOR he isn’t ashamed because the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes FOR in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed.

Do you see the dependency?

The reason Paul is eager to preach is because the gospel is power to save.

The reason the gospel is the power to save is because the gospel reveals the righteousness of God.

This echoes what Psalm 22:30,31 prophesied - that we would proclaim his righteousness.

The righteousness of God is the core of the good news or the gospel message.

There seems to be 2 perspectives of this righteousness:

in Psalm 22 it is speaking of God’s righteous act of suffering and dying on our behalf, that is - His righteousness is revealed in Him going to the cross. We could say He did right by us- or wow that was righteous of Him! Or we could say He did right by God, by obeying unto death.

This Romans passage is speaking of the righteousness that is available to us through belief and faith in the message of the righteousness of Christ Jesus. We might think that this is a different righteousness than what is described in Psalm 22, but the truth is that it really is the same righteousness, for we receive the righteousness of Christ through faith.

When we share the gospel - is the righteousness of Christ at the core?  

November 27, 2018 - Suggested Reading Isaiah 53 for Dec 2nds message on Matthew 8:1-17 in our worship service at 10:45am

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.”

Isaiah 53:4 (NIV) 

How do you interpret the various verses in Isaiah 53?

As we read it we can see clearly that it is describing the ministry of our Lord Jesus. 

For those of us who have surrendered to Christ and follow Him as Lord, there is a thought process we go through when we read a prophecy like this about our Lord’s ministry- we evaluate our lives and reality against what was prophesied. 

Now we need to guard against evaluating the truth of the bible against our personal experiences, for we easily fall into the trap of sitting in judgement over God’s Word, when we should always put God’s Word in judgement over us. 

Yet with that being said it is still very helpful to our faith to examine the Words of Isaiah 53 and examine our experiences in Christ against our own personal understanding or interpretation of those Words

Over the next 4 blog posts we will be looking at the New Testament usage of quotes from Isaiah 53, but in this post I would like us to consider verse 4 and meditate on Matthew’s usage of it in Matthew 8:17. 

Matthew states that our Lord’s ministry of driving out demons and healing the sick were a fulfillment of this prophecy.

Does that square with how you understand Isaiah 53:4?

Don’t get confused by the differences in Words, for that is a fairly simple translation thing, Matthew is using the Septuagint- so we are seeing an English translation of a Greek translation of the Hebrew, whereas in Isaiah we are seeing an English translation of the Hebrew.

Praise God, for our Lord took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.

What does that mean to you today?

November 27, 2018 - Suggested Reading Psalm 22 for Dec 2nds message on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!”

Psalm 22:31 (NIV) 

There is no doubt in a Christian’s mind as they read Psalm 22 that this Psalm describes our Lord’s experience on the cross. The gospels make reference to this psalm in the descriptions of the crucifixion, and the words of verse 8 are spoken directly to Christ Jesus by the religious leaders, and the words of verse 1 are spoken by Christ Jesus directly to God. This was a terrible, terrible death experience for any human to go through, especially more terrible for an innocent, perfect human to go through, but exponentially more terrible that God’s own Son, His Beloved, His chosen One would go through such a painful humiliating death.

Yet as we get to the end of this Psalm we realize that we have a job to do - Pastor Mark would say we have a mission to accomplish – for this last verse speaks of us proclaiming His righteousness among our generation.

How will people know of the wonderful work of righteousness that was accomplished on that cross? We must proclaim the good news to them.

Or do you think that prophecy is fulfilled without God’s people doing any work?

The prophecy of the cross happened in spite of God’s people- the ones who weren’t killing Him fled from His side. 

But the prophecy of proclamation is a vision of God’s redeemed proclaiming the good news of Christ’s finished work on Calvary to all who will listen.

Let us do our part to fulfill this prophecy today.

November 10, 2018 - Suggested Reading 2 Peter 2 for Nov 11th s message on Matthew 7:13-23 in our worship service at 10:45am

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.”

2 Peter 2:1 (NIV) 

This entire chapter is devoted to warning us about false prophets and giving us identifiers by which we can identify them. 

Let us not miss the obvious truth that in order for false prophets to exist in New Testament days, there must have been true prophets in the New Testament churches. These prophets were not prophets like the prophets whose writings we have in the bible, rather they were prophets as Paul describes prophets in 1 Corinthians 12 thru 14.

False prophets live depraved lives, they exploit people, use people for their own gain, and boast a lot. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing and they stand beside the true prophets who speak the true gospel, deceiving seekers of God and leading them into destruction.

I love verse 9 for it tells us that God knows how to rescue the godly from trials- praise the Lord!

Once again, we can ask WHY?

Why does God allow there to be false prophets alongside true prophets?

Our time would be better sent examining the words and lives of those who speak God’s Words to us, trying to identify the false prophets so that we can be careful not to listen to them,  but listen to the true prophets, and allow their words to impact our lives, for they speak God's Words.

November 10, 2018 - Suggested Reading Acts 2 for Nov 11th’ s message on 1 Corinthians 14 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”

Acts 2:18 (NIV) 

The prophet Joel knew that when the Spirit came at the dawn of the age of grace, men and women would receive the ability to prophesy. The apostle Peter uses Joel’s prophecy to explain to all of us what this new age (this age of grace – this age of the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ) would be like. We know that Joel saw this time as a new age because of the language of the sun and moon and stars- it is the apocalyptic language of the end of an age and the beginning of a new age.

This age would be the age of prophecy, where all God’s children prophesy, not just a select few.

As you read 1 Corinthians 14 and try to determine what Paul meant, he tells us that he would rather have all of us prophesy - remember that this word prophesy describes an activity that belongs to an entire age, not just a generation of 40 years. This age of grace will end when Christ comes back in glory and until He comes back in glory, each of us should seek this gift from God. We should seek to be able to speak intelligible words that edify others, that build us up, strengthening each other, encouraging each other and comforting each other. Words from God through us to each other.

November 9, 2018 - Suggested Reading 2 Timothy 2 for Nov 11th s message on Matthew 7:13-23 in our worship service at 10:45am

“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

2 Timothy 2:19 (NIV)

The Lord knows those who are His.

Some of us might think that this knowledge is like a head count or attendance roll.

Actually it is more than head knowledge, rather it is intimate knowledge of a person’s being.

We can say this because the Greek word translated “know” in 2 Timothy 2:19 is translated “union with” in Matthew 1:25 while describing Joseph’s behaviour towards Mary.

Joseph knew Mary’s name and knew all about her as he lived with her and travelled with her to Bethlehem, but Joseph would not have “intimate knowledge” of Mary, until after Jesus was born.

How is it that Jesus our Lord could have an intimate knowledge of us?

Well we willingly tell Him all about ourselves, confessing our sins and dreams and desires.

We surrender to Him, offering our bodies as living sacrifices.

He searches our hearts and our minds, and blesses us.

This knowledge describes a relationship with our Lord that is personal.

Does He know us?

Do we open up to Him?

Or do we hide from Him like Adam hid in the garden?

November 9, 2018 - Suggested Reading Haggai 1 for Nov 11th’ s message on 1 Corinthians 14 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the LORD Almighty, their God”

Haggai 1:14 (NIV) 

Unless the LORD moves, we will find anything else to do rather than working on Christ’s church, under Christ’s leadership.

Unless the LORD moves, and stirs up the spirits of the people, there is no hope for Parkdale.

Why do we think we need a new system or new pastors or a new model of church?

We need the LORD to stir us up.

It is true that this verse records the names of key individuals, for in every church there are leaders placed by God and everything in that church rises and falls on the leadership those individuals give, so the LORD stirs them up first. But the leaders by themselves can do nothing, for the leaders do not have the ability to stir the spirits of the people, and the church is built up by all the people getting to work. So God stirs the spirits of the whole group.

Imagine if God would stir all of us at Parkdale.

What would that be like?

Would we call something like that revival?

Whatever we call it, we will be amazed at how much of Christ’s church gets built in a
short period of time.

Oh Immanuel, we know you are with us- stir our spirits Lord, stir us up, let our excuses fall away and let us join You in your great work.

November 8, 2018 - Suggested Reading Isaiah Luke 13 for Nov 11th s message on Matthew 7:13-23 in our worship service at 10:45am

“If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.”

Luke 13:9 (NIV) 

We mistake the Lord’s patience for His approval.

Those with Jesus thought that because they weren’t killed by Pilate nor by the Tower of Siloam, that God was pleased with them, and displeased with those who died.

Our Lord wanted to correct this wrong thinking on our part.

Twice He says “Unless you repent, you too will all perish”

And then He tells us the parable of the vineyard

the parable of the disappointed owner who wanted fruit from His trees

the parable of the patient man who cares for the vineyard who wants more time for the trees

“Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

There has been a time set for me and you, a time that is fast approaching, and yet we seem oblivious. 

This time is the time we have been given to repent of our sin, a turning back to God away from sin, producing the fruit of the righteous.

Do not mistake the Lord’s patience for His approval.

Everyone of us has repenting to do, for repentance is what draws good fruit out of us.

November 8, 2018 - Suggested Reading Psalm 51 for Nov 11th’ s message on 1 Corinthians 14 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:11-12 (NIV) 

Forgiveness is mercy in action

washing, cleansing, hiding, blotting, creating, renewing, delivering, restoring,  prospering

What a beautiful psalm for a sinner like me.

I read it and think I should read this every day at the kitchen table.

I want to draw our attention to the connection between the Presence of the Holy Spirit and joy and a willing spirit within me.

Someone told me several years back that they skip this part of the psalm because they don’t have to pray it. Don’t you know John that in Christ I don’t have to worry about the Holy Spirit being taken from me? Oh friend I said, it is true that in Christ I have an eternal deposit, the Holy Spirit Himself who will never leave me- but it is also true that what David describes here is what is described in 1 John 1:9 as a restoration of righteousness for a Christian, and it is true that I need the Holy Spirit in every part of my life, and I don’t want to grieve Him, I don’t want the Spirit to withdraw from my family life, nor my work life, I want more of Him! And so I never skip this part of psalm, I bear down and make sure I have integrity in my heart when I say these words.

Could failure on our part to seek forgiveness and the Spirit’s wonderful filling Presence be the reason we lack joy in our lives and are not willing to lift a finger to help build up the church of Christ?

November 7, 2018 - Suggested Reading Isaiah 44 for Nov 11th s message on Matthew 7:13-23 in our worship service at 10:45am

“who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense,”
Isaiah 44:25 (NIV) 

Our Lord warns us in the Sermon on the Mount to watch out for false prophets.

We should watch out for them, and we should identify them but we shouldn’t fear them.

The LORD God is Sovereign over false prophets.

This is a mystery to us - we wonder why God allows false prophets among His people.

Why would God allow non-believers to infiltrate the church, and allow them to lead
many people into destruction? 

Why would God allow someone to hold God’s holy Word in their hands, and twist the meaning of His holy Word as he speaks to God’s people?

I can’t give you chapter and verse as to WHY God allows this but I know it has to do
with testing our hearts. 

I trust God- I trust Him enough to believe that he has good purposes in mind by allowing these false prophets and false teachers to come among us.

Friends let us watch out for false prophets, they tell us we don’t need to worry about the narrow gate nor the straight path. 

They speak words that seem like God’s but are designed to lead us away from God. 

Don’t listen to them - test all teachers against the Word of God.

Know the Word!

November 7, 2018 - Suggested Reading Exodus 35 for Nov 11th’ s message on 1 Corinthians 14 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—.”

Exodus 35:30-31 (NIV)

The tabernacle in the wilderness, was constructed by all those who were willing and whose heart moved them. This ancient structure which was the place where God’s Spirit dwelled on earth among His people foreshadows local churches in the Christian age. Parkdale is the temple of God, He not only dwells within each Christian who calls Parkdale their church home, but God dwells in our midst as we gather to worship. If the people of God were not willing and not open to following the stirring of their hearts towards God and His dwelling place, the tabernacle would not have been built. So it is with Parkdale - if the people are not willing to use the skills that the Spirit has gifted us with, then our church will not be build up. What if Bezalel had refused to use the gifts the Spirit brought him? The tabernacle would have not been what God intended it to be. What is Parkdale lacking because we are not willing to put the gift the Spirit gave us to work within the church? Let us join together to willingly put our gifts to work in order to see Parkdale become all that God intends for us to be.

November 6, 2018 - Suggested Reading Proverbs 8 for Nov 11th s message on Matthew 7:13-23 in our worship service at 10:45am

“For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD.”

Proverbs 8:35 (NIV) 

Wisdom personified.

Personification is a literary technique, in which an author ascribes the characteristics of a person to a non-person or abstract concept.

Wisdom in Proverbs 8 calls out (has a voice box and a mouth)

Wisdom stands at a high place at a crossroads (has legs and feet)

Wisdom lives with prudence and has possessions (a person)

Wisdom loves people (only a person can love)

Wisdom gives gifts and a rich inheritance (a person)

Wisdom was beside God during creation (a being)

Wisdom has children (a parent/teacher)

Wisdom doesn't find us, rather we need to find wisdom.

We must seek wisdom to find wisdom, we need to watch each day at the door of wisdom’s house, where dwells with prudence, we must wait there – hoping to find wisdom, for when we find wisdom we find life!

Personification is a literary technique.

God’s eternal Son made man is more than a literary technique.

Wisdom come in the flesh – come to save us from our sins is more than a literary technique.

May we listen at His door, may we watch and wait for our Lord.

May He be real in our life, rather than an abstract idea.

November 6, 2018 - Suggested Reading Genesis 11 for Nov 11th’ s message on 1 Corinthians 14 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

Genesis 11:7 (NIV) 

There are all sorts of languages in the world and God is behind them all. 

He confused our language so that in an instant -
people who used to understand each other couldn’t anymore. 

The ones who could still understand each other, grouped together, and separated from the ones they couldn’t understand and so people scattered over the face of the earth.

Then the Day of Pentecost came- and the Holy Spirit gave the Christians in that room the ability to speak the gospel in all of the languages of the people around them in Jerusalem.

God scattered humans by different languages because of the pride in their hearts.

God brings humans together in Christ from all of the languages of the world, as they hear the good news of the love of God for them in Christ Jesus His Son, and humble their hearts, before their Lord calling on Him to be saved.

The grace of God turns a curse into a blessing through Christ Jesus our Lord, and through the gift of the promised Holy Spirit.

This day lets give thanks to God for His Spirit and pray for those like Parkdale's missionaries Rick and Muriel Oickle who toil at bringing the good news of Jesus to language groups all over the world.

November 3, 2018 - Suggested Reading Matthew 18 for Nov 4th s message on Matthew 7:1-12 in our worship service at 10:45am

“In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little
ones should perish.”

Matthew 18:14 (NIV) 

What a wonderful image of Christians gathered in community!

We are a group of ‘little ones’ – toddlers if you will.

- in order to become a Christian we must become a little child

- the greatest in Christ’s kingdom is the one who takes this lowly position of child

- we are to welcome each one who believes in Christ as a fellow little child

- we are not to despise little ones

- our Father in heaven is not willing to lose any of His little ones

And our Father wants our help – so each of us little ones is to look after the other little ones by showing them their sin, privately.

Many of us see Matthew 18:15-20 as instructions to church leaders and yet a simple reading through Matthew 18 shows us that we all bear responsibility before our Father in heaven to do what we can to keep the little ones in our community/ our church/ our assembly and not only that but to forgive from our heart any little one who has sinned against us.

This is a Heavenly Father’s instruction to His little children about how to treat one another while here on earth, still engaged in a struggle against sin.

The best part of all- is our Lord’s promise to be with us even if there are only 2 or 3 of us little ones gathered together. That He would promise His Presence among so few, reveals the humble heart of our Lord and His great love for each of us.

Would church leaders spend this time with 2 or 3?

May we have His humble heart and His great love for each one of us at Parkdale.

November 3, 2018 - Suggested Reading 1 John 4 for Nov 4th’ s message on 1 Corinthians 13 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:8 (NIV) 

What English word describes God the best?

LOVE does (agape in the Greek)

We describe Him as majestic (King over all kings)

We describe Him as omnipotent (unlimited power)

We describe Him as omniscient (unlimited knowledge)

God is all those things- yet LOVE governs every aspect of His infinite being.

It was LOVE that brought creation into being.

It was LOVE that preserved humans through the flood.

It was LOVE that sought Abram out.

It was LOVE that brought Abram's descendants out of slavery.

It was LOVE that gave Israel the Law and the land.

It was LOVE that preserved Israel.

It was LOVE that brought His Son to earth as Israel’s Messiah.

It was LOVE that put His Son on the cross.

It was LOVE that brought the Good News of Jesus to our ears.

It was LOVE that saved our souls.

It is LOVE that will preserve us til He comes.

What English word describes us the best?

If we are God’s- the word LOVE should describe us.

Does it?

Does LOVE govern every aspect of my being?

Does LOVE govern every aspect of Parkdale’s being?

November 2, 2018- Suggested Reading Galatians 6 for Nov 4th s message on Matthew 7:1-12 in our worship service at 10:45am

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

Galatians 6:1 (NIV) 

Paul instructs us to carry each other’s burdens in verse 2 and then instructs us in verse 5 to carry our own load. There is no contradiction nor dichotomy in these 2 statements for a deeper look into these first 6 verses of Galatians 6 will reveal the tension involved in helping a brother or sister who is caught in sin.

Living in the Spirit is required - don’t attempt to help anyone with sin if the fruits of the Spirit described a few verses earlier are not present in our lives, and be absolutely sure that we are being led by the Spirit, and in step with the Spirit.

Realize that when we seek to involve ourselves into someone else’s spiritual life, we are fulfilling the law of Christ - which is to love one another- this is an act of love, and the qualities of love described in 1 Cor 13 should guide our approach.

Self examination is a required perquisite – not in a comparative form - us against them - but soberly consider ourselves against ourselves- as our Lord told us in Matthew 7 – take the plank out of your eye first!

Instruction in the Word is what rebuke and restoration is supposed to be all about - it should end with the person learning and loving the person who instructed them.

It always amazes me how consistent the bible is from cover to cover about things like loving one another by keeping one another accountable to our Lord through His Word.

Oh, that what is described in Galatians 6:1-6 would be evident in all of us at Parkdale.

November 2, 2018 - Suggested Reading John 15 for Nov 4th’ s message on 1 Corinthians 13 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:12 (NIV) 

“I love the Lord but I can’t stand Christians.”

“Do I have to go to Youth Group? I don’t like anyone there!”

These words, or those like it have been uttered by countless numbers of Christians and will continue to be uttered by Christians until the Lord comes back in power and glory.

It is our natural state- our natural inclination to dislike those the Lord loves.

But we are called to love Christians as the Lord loves them.

We are to love our neighbours (all those we meet) as we love ourselves.

But we are to love Christians as Christ loves us.

This is a big order for Christ gave everything up for Christians.

He gave up heaven for earth.

He gave up being served to become a servant of all.

He entered time so that we could live forever.

He took our punishment so we could be pardoned.

He gave up His life so that we could live.

He went into the grave so that we could escape the grave.

He does the hard work so we could get rest.

You have to wonder about people who tell you they love Jesus but they have no love whatsoever for those whom He gave His life up for. It seems to me that if I love Jesus I will love the ones
that he loves.

Can you imagine what Parkdale would be like if each one of us loved each other as Christ loves us?

Our Lord connects remaining in His love and being filled with joy to this command.

Let’s choose the Way of love.

November 1, 2018 - Suggested Reading Proverbs 9 for Nov 4th s message on Matthew 7:1-12 in our worship service at 10:45am

“Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.”

Proverbs 9:8 (NIV) 

Do we believe this verse?

Do we think it is wisdom or foolishness?

If we believe it then we can learn from it.

If I hate people who rebuke me - I am a mocker.

Mocker is a specific type of fool in the book of Proverbs, a search by name comes up with 16 separate verses that refer to mockers. Proverbs 21:24 defines a mocker as a proud and arrogant person who behaves with insolent fury.

If I hate the people who rebuke me - I am a mocker.

But if I love the people who rebuke me - I am wise.

Cast your mind back over your life, and identify a person who rebuked you.

Do you hate them, or love them?

Are you a mocker or a wise person?

You don’t understand the situation John- that’s true that I don’t understand the situation, nor do I know the circumstances. 

But the Word of God stands firm - and God understands only too well the circumstances and the situation. 

He knows that He sent a human into your life to rebuke you, for your good, for your correction, for your salvation.

Do I love that person or do I hate them?

November 1, 2018 - Suggested Reading Mark 8 for Nov 4th’ s message on 1 Corinthians 13 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Mark 8:34 (NIV) 

If the narrow way did not require us to deny ourselves, we would gladly walk upon it.

But our Lord tells us that the good way requires us to deny ourselves, so we hesitate.

Love requires that we deny ourselves.

Our Lord explains what He means by denying yourself - He calls it losing your life. He knows that we naturally want to save our life, more than that we want to gain the whole world.

Well not the whole world we mutter - just the part that is due me.

But friend see what that thought reveals - see that these thoughts stop us from following our Lord on the way that leads to life.

Our natural state is to cling to life, to preserve our life over all other lives.

Our Christian calling is to lose your life so others can live.

Is this true of our life in any practical sense?

Can we think of a single thing that we set aside for the benefit of others in our church?

Will I do without so that others can have?

Will I take more blame that is due, so that others can be praised?

Am I willing to be consumed by the local church I am in?

What is the difference between being chewed up and spit out by a local church and pouring my life out in a local church as an offering onto the Lord?

Seems like the same result for I am used up - but wait a minute

the 1st happens against your will but the 2nd happens because of your will

You willing chose to give up your life for Christ's church!

You took up your cross and followed your Lord on the Way.

October 31, 2018 - Suggested Reading Psalm 141 for Nov 4th s message on Matthew 7:1-12 in our worship service at 10:45am

“Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.”

Psalm 141:5 (NIV) 

This psalm is the prayer of a man who is concerned that he remains right with God.

Some of us are not that concerned, we have become slack and so our focus goes away from our personal holiness and righteous living before God.

But David wants protection, he wants God to guard his soul and not allow him to fall into traps that have been set to destroy him by leading him into evil.

He is praying urgently for help, and for protection, and he wants God to know that he is willing to receive God’s help and protection through the rebuke of a righteous person.

Most of us can’t or won’t pray this prayer, for we believe that no one has the right to speak a word of rebuke into our life.

David is willing to allow a righteous man to strike him, to rebuke him, to call his behaviour out.

Could it be that as David was praying this urgent prayer that Nathan’s public rebuke of him flashed through his mind? That as he prayed urgently for protection, he remembered that a God sent a man to smarten him up, to correct his course and save him from himself and his own sin?

Have you ever had a righteous person rebuke you?

Did you count it as a kindness from God- or as a cross you must bear?

May God place righteous people in our midst who love God and us enough to rebuke us.

May we have the attitude to see that this God’s kindness to us.

October 31, 2018 - Suggested Reading Jeremiah 6 for Nov 4th’ s message on 1 Corinthians 13 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV) 

Paul wants to show us the most excellent way in 1 Cor 13.

Jeremiah wants us to find the good way and walk in it.

Walking on roads and paths is so well known to all people everywhere that our LORD uses it as a metaphor in the Old Testament and the New Testament to reveal the truth that we choose how our lives are lived out. I could say we each choose the direction of our life, which is metaphorical language, combining choice of our life direction (road) and specific actions we take as we move along in that direction (walk). Jeremiah speaks of it as a crossroad, our Lord speaks of it as broad way and narrow way and Paul speaks of it as the most excellent way. They are all teaching that we have personal responsibility in determining how our lives are lived. We can choose the broad way that leads to destruction, or we can choose the narrow way that leads to life. We can choose the ancient path, the good way and walk in it and find rest, or we can be like the Israelites Jeremiah is speaking to and refuse to walk in that good way. No one can make you do it, you must make the choice yourself.

Will I in this moment, choose the way of love, and walk in it as Christ calls us to?

Will I choose to live a life full of loving action towards God?

To love God with everything I am, and everything I do?

Will I choose to live a life full of loving actions to those beside me?

To love my neighbour as myself?

This is the ancient way, the good way, the narrow way, and the most excellent way.