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.

October 30, 2018 - Suggested Reading Leviticus 19 for Nov 4th s message on Matthew 7:1-12 in our worship service at 10:45am

“Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbour frankly so you will not share in their guilt.”

Leviticus 19:17 (NIV) 

Our Lord quoted verse 18 as the second greatest commandment - second only to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. 

We could see this statement in verse 18 as a summary to the all of the instructions contained in verse 9 through 18, for they are all about how we are to live a life of love in the midst of our neighbours.

If we followed this great list of don’ts and do’s, we would become the neighbours God wants us to be, however, I want to draw special attention to one specific command- our duty to rebuke our neighbour. Most would in today’s age of not wanting to cause offence, find rebuking a neighbour to be a demonstration of hatred for our neighbour, but the Bible teaches the opposite. It is an act of love to rebuke our neighbour, and not in a subtle way but in a direct “frank” way of speaking. There is a warning also that if we don’t rebuke our neighbour we share in our neighbour’s guilt.

We should hesitate to take this verse as meaning that we should go into the world and rebuke every sinner we meet. 

My wife had a stranger rebuke her for daring to wear pants in Walmart the other day instead of a dress- Wanda is more gracious than me but at the same time thought really,...?

It seems to me taht if we use Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 5:12 to judge those inside the church as a qualifier to this instruction in Leviticus 19:17, we will end up taking our responsibility to rebuke our brothers and sisters in our church as seriously, as the Lord taught us to in Matthew 7 and 18.

We are our brother’s keeper.

We are our sister’s keeper.

Oh Heavenly Father - forgive me for looking away, from what You have shown me. Please give me the courage and the love and the wisdom to rebuke my brother and sister.

October 30, 2018 - Suggested Reading Psalm 81 for Nov 4th’ s message on 1 Corinthians 13 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways,”

Psalm 81:13 (NIV)  

Reality can have a bitter taste to it.

This verse gives us a real dose of that kind of reality.

This verse tells us that the only thing that stands between me and victory in my Christian life is my refusal to listen to God and live my life following His ways.

You may object by reminding me that this is the Old Testament and that the New Covenant is unconditional whereas the Old is always conditional and that I need to learn the difference between grace and law.

Well friend - just read verse 6 and 7 again - it is describing Israel’s salvation with Words that describe our salvation. Verse 8 and 9 were echoed by our Lord in Matthew 6 when He tells us to be careful not to love Money. Verse 10 reminds us that we trusted Him for salvation - and asks if will we not trust Him for what I do today in my life - will we not open our mouths and receive what he has for us now? This concept of “opening our mouths” is echoed in 1 Cor 12:13 “given one Spirit to drink”. Is verse 16 not the glorious gospel? For it is echoed in our Lord’s Words in John 10:10 that He came to bring us “life to the full.”

If those wonderful verses apply to us who are hidden in Christ, then the judgment and withholding of victory because of our stubborn refusal to follow God’s ways belong to us also.

These verses are echoed by Paul in 2 Cor 6:1 as he exhorts us “not to receive God’s grace in vain”.

How exactly can I receive God’s grace in vain?

I confess Christ as Lord, believing in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. God pours His grace into my life through the Holy Spirit, saving me, blessing me, bringing wonderful gifts for Parkdale’s benefit into my life. 

Yet I refuse to live my life according to His Ways.

Will we follow the most excellent Way today?

Will we live a life of love today?

October 27, 2018 - Suggested Reading Philippians 4 for Oct 28th s message on Matthew 6:19-34 in our worship service at 10:45am

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:6 (NIV) 

This verse is a call to action!

Feeling anxious - pray.

Thinking that you are about to feel anxious - pray.

Thinking about thinking about feeling anxious - pray.

In every situation present your requests to God.

Thank Him for His love.

Thank Him for being King over your situation.

Thank Him for telling us to go to Him with everything.

The verse that follows is a wonderful promise of peace.

Not peace as in quiet, or as in everything finishes well, or everything goes my way.

NOPE.

Peace as in you can’t explain how you feel that way.

There is no earthly reason for the peace you experience.

But there is a heavenly reason!

You are in Christ Jesus, and God’s peace floods your soul.

I may lose everything and everybody on earth - but I will never lose Jesus.

Why won’t we pray?

Do we like being anxious?

Why won’t I pray right now?

October 27, 2018 - Suggested Reading 2 Peter 3 for Oct 28th s message on 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.”

2 Peter 3:2 (NIV)  

Peter says it so simply!

What is my Christian life to be about?

I am to recall the words spoken by the prophets and the commands
given by our Lord through our apostles.

But those are ancient Words - don’t I need new Words?

No I don't need new words!

If someone says to me I have new word from God- I should run to the Word of God and check to see if what they say is found in the Words of God, written down by the apostles and the prophets. 

If I can’t find this new word there, then I should run away from the one who says
they have a new word. 

If I can find that new word in the Bible then I should say “amen, thank you for reminding me of what the prophets and apostles said long ago, thank you for pointing out that obedience to what they said long ago is what we need today.”

Peter wants us to be on our guard, to listen to the apostles including Paul, and to understand that what the apostles teach is on the same level as Scripture.

May we recall the ancient Words and not be carried away by error!

October 26, 2018 - Suggested Reading Psalm 29 for Oct 28th s message on Matthew 6:19-34 in our worship service at 10:45am

“The LORD gives strength to his people;

the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Psalm 29:11 (NIV) 

As I read this psalm written by a man who lived out his days in Israel I think of a news story that I read today in which a Jordanian bus was swept away by a flash flood in the Dead Sea area and many children were drowned and still missing.

David knew something about floods!

He knew something about storms!

In Parkdale we have people going through the storm of grieving for a spouse.

We have people going through the storm of cancer.

We have people in over their heads with spouses who reject them - going through the storm of divorce.

Can we say with David that the LORD sits enthroned above the flood?

Can we exalt Him as King over the situation we are in?

Will we look to Him for strength and peace, believing that He will give us strength and peace in the midst of the storm?

October 26, 2018 - Suggested Reading Ephesians 2 for Oct 28th s message on 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”

Ephesians 2:20 (NIV)  

If I asked you what the difference is between the universal church and a local church – what would you tell me? 

In these 4 verses (19 thru 2) Paul describes both, as he explains to us the wonderful work of Christ Jesus on our behalf. 

Church is an English word for the Greek word ecclesia which simply means assembly, or called out assembly - that is called by God to assemble as righteous individuals before God. 

To get an OT glimpse of this assembly – simply type assembly into Bible Gateway and read through the Psalm references that appear - starting with Psalm 1. 

What Paul teaches us here in Ephesians 2 is that all the righteous throughout all the ages (OT age and NT age both) are joined together in one structure through the work of Christ.

This structure is built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets (that is on their teaching as contained in the Word of God – our Bible). 

That Christ Jesus Himself is the cornerstone on which this foundation of teaching is based and held together. It is Christ Jesus Himself that is the cornerstone, for it is the Person and work of Christ himself that all of the teaching of the apostles and prophets expose us to, and it is faith in the Person and work of Christ Jesus Himself (as presented to us in the bible through the writings of the apostles and prophets) that brings us into a state of righteousness before God, by the Presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This structure Paul tells us is a holy temple in the Lord. 

After giving us these wonderful truths, Paul turns to Parkdale and tells us that we also are being built into a temple in which God lives by His Spirit. 

And so Paul teaches us here that the local church (in a specific time, in a specific place, with specific people) is a manifestation of the church universal.

And we make the mistake of thinking we are a social club! Or a group of like minded people! Or  great place for kids to learn morals!

We are so much more than that!

O Lord open our eyes to see what Parkdale is in your eyes - the place where your Spirit dwells, the household of God!

October 25, 2018 - Suggested Reading 1 Kings 17 for Oct 28th s message on Matthew 6:19-34 in our worship service at 10:45am

“Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.”

1 Kings 17:13 (NIV) 

What this lady was asked to do by God, and what she did is an object lesson for all of us who are trying to seek His kingdom first.

Don’t be afraid - it takes faith not to be afraid - and her faith was commended by Christ Himself.

And then… - feed the prophet first- put the kingdom first, this reminds me of the widow giving all she had to the church and I don’t like either story, for in my view the church should be looking after widows, not taking all they have. Yet my type of thinking is from the church’s perspective not from the Lord’s perspective - His perspective is one of commendation for these ladies of great faith. They passed the test most of us would fail.

The jar of flour will not be used up - this is the promise of the LORD to the widow and this is the promise of Christ for all who will seek the kingdom first - all these things will be added to you.

O Lord please increase our faith, please increase our love for you, please give us the courage to put your kingdom first in our lives.

October 25, 2018 - Suggested Reading Luke 11 for Oct 28th s message on 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’”

Luke 11:49 (NIV)  

The first 36 verses of Luke 11 contain wonderful teaching for those seeking to follow Jesus, but the rest of the chapter contains teaching against the Pharisees. 

What is remarkable about this list of woes is that they are delivered by our Lord towards the host of a dinner while at the dinner table. 

Doesn’t seem very polite to us nor to them - and it is a reminder I would say that - there are times when love constrains us to be impolite,
for without a doubt our Lord delivered these Words out of love.

I would like us to consider verse 29 for it sets the Words of 1 Corinthians 12:28
in the proper context. 

Some modern teachers say that the apostles were concerned about setting up the authority structure of the church, and that their teaching on apostles and prophets is their own creation - this is said especially about Paul.

I want us to notice something, and to place it in our minds, that stands against this type of revisionism-which is really false teaching aimed against the authority
and inspiration of the apostles’ teaching.

When Paul writes that apostles and prophets are placed in the church by God, he is echoing the Words of our Lord recorded in Luke 11:49. Apostles and prophets are God’s wisdom placed here on earth for us, and because God has placed them here, we are required to listen to them, and to obey them. In short - the apostles’ teaching has authority in a Christian’s life - not because the apostles want to have authority, but because God in His wisdom has send them to us.

I don’t want anything to do with the woes of Luke chapter 11, so I will strive to honour the apostles and prophets as men sent to speak the very Words of God to me. 

I seek to get as far away from the attitude of the heart that would reject their teaching as I can. 

For their teaching is what they were sent to do.

October 24, 2018 - Suggested Reading Deuteronomy 8 for Oct 28th s message on Matthew 6:19-34 in our worship service at 10:45am

“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV) 

We love to read parts of this chapter, and pray God’s Words back to Him;

 promises of a good land

promises of eating to our fill

promises of the ability to produce wealth

But we generally miss that the central message of this chapter is that we would obey all of God’s Words. This obedience is absolutely critical to the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives. It is true, gloriously true that Christ Jesus was obedient even unto death on a cross, and that we who have trusted in Him for our salvation are hidden in His obedience. That is - we are joined in spiritual union with Christ and all of God’s promises are Yes in Christ.

Friend if we are hidden in Christ’s obedience, then wouldn’t we also want - even need - to obey every Word of God? Or do we think that Christ obeyed so that we don’t have to obey? Perish that thought. Christ obeyed so that we could be forgiven for those times we disobey. He died in obedience to God in order to free us from the chains of disobedience, so that as we live our lives in obedience through his power and Presence we will be in the place of blessings in our lives, and find abundant life.

Let us not miss that the opening verses of this chapter teach us that God brings us into places of need on purpose- to teach us that we only need His Word, that we don’t need food or clothes more than we need His Word. He provides us with food, He provides us with clothes, and He provides us with health, but our greatest need is to obey.

May we trust Him and obey Him today.

October 24, 2018 - Suggested Reading Hebrews 10 for Oct 28th s message on 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.”

Daniel 7:13 (NIV)  

There is much about the vision of Daniel 7 which should confound us and make us fearful.

If you reject what I have just said you reject Daniel’s reaction to the vision in verse 15 and his reaction to the explanation in verse 28, and I fear you have placed yourself above Daniel.

Yet in the midst of this mystery and danger and suffering comes one like a son of man, and when we read those words peace and joy fill our minds. For this one like a son of man is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ, and this vision that Daniel the prophet was given, was a view into heaven when our Lord ascended on high after leaving His apostles on the ground looking up at Him.

How can it be that in a vision of the throne room of God with the backdrop of hideous beasts, someone like a son of man appears and is given all authority, glory and sovereign power.

A puny human?

More than a puny human for He is God Himself made flesh, born of God, born of a woman, the One sent to save His people from their sins. Jesus our Saviour and our Lord.

This chapter connects into 1 Corinthians 12 for it describes structure, rule, authority and a plan to establish an everlasting kingdom full of God’s holy people.

This one like a son of man sent the Holy Spirit to take up residence in those who confess the Name of Jesus - to save them from their sins, to guide them, to gift them with specific gifts designed for the benefit of the assembled people, and all for the establishment of an everlasting kingdom.

Banish the thought - it is only church - for church is God’s plan in action.

This is His plan, He moved heaven and earth to make church happen, lets get with the plan.

Lets use our gifts together and see His kingdom come!

October 23, 2018 - Suggested Reading Exodus 16 for Oct 28th s message on Matthew 6:19-34 in our worship service at 10:45am

“So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come.”

Exodus 16:33 (NIV) 

Our generation is not able to see the jar of manna, but surely we can learn the lessons of manna
- can’t we?

Lesson 1 is that God leads His people into places of great need (vs1 )

Lesson 2 is that we are quick to believe God wants to harm us and we grumble against Him (vs2,3)

Lesson 3 is that God will only give us what we need for today, and that is all we are to look for(vs4)

This instruction is a test, for God desires to see if we will follow His instruction regarding only looking for what we need today. We can read in the rest of the chapter that the Israelites weren’t so good at following this instruction, but eventually they learned to only collect what they needed for that day.

Our Lord taught us in Matthew 6 not to worry about tomorrow, that today has enough trouble. He also taught us in Matthew 6 to ask for our daily bread.

Are we slow learners like the Israelites?

Do we seek to grace for tomorrow as well as today?

Let us learn the lesson of the manna - let us follow our Lord’s instructions.

Ask only for what we need today.

Don’t worry about what we will need tomorrow.

Don’t go down that road- that road leads to the swamp of despair.

October 23, 2018 - Suggested Reading Hebrews 10 for Oct 28th s message on 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 in our worship service at 9:00 am

“For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.””

Deuteronomy 18:16 (NIV)

As we consider the place of prophets in the church of Christ, our minds go back to this passage which clearly describes the setting in which the gift of prophecy came about, the mission that the prophets had, and the responsibility of the people of God to those prophets.

The setting was one of great fear as the people realized that if they continued to hear God’s voice seek directly to them, that they would die. For those of us who speculate that the people’s imaginations overcame them - for how could any of God’s people believe God would kill them with His Words? - we have the record of God saying to Moses; “What they say is good.”

The mission of the prophets is clear - to speak the Words the LORD has put in their mouth- the prophet is to speak everything I command him, not part but everything.

The responsibility of God’s people is to listen to the prophet. That is they are to believe that the prophet speaks the Words of God, and obey those Words. God’s people are not to seek guidance in their lives apart from the prophets, but only from the prophets. 

What we have in Deuteronomy is a record of God providing what God’s people need to exist in community - we need to hear God’s Words from human lips. 

What we have in 1 Corinthians 12 is a record of that gift continuing from the people of Israel into the redeemed people of the church of Christ.

Thank you God for giving us prophets.

May they speak the Words of God, and only His Words.

May we listen to them and not to the world.