We have just celebrated our 'Welcome Service' - welcoming our new additions in Staff and students to this college. It is an opportunity for our congregation to host an event on the college calendar that shares the Gospel connection, inspiring and sustaining our college.
The sermon took up the 'prodigal son' story as told by Christ. Interestingly, it was all about comfort zones and whether we were going to step beyond them. For the young son, who eventually found himself in a pig pen after waisting his inheritance, that comfort zone was all about repentance. For the waiting father, his comfort zone was about forgiveness. They both had to step beyond what they felt comfortable with, in order to be able to give from themselves a blessing that brought about reconciliation. But what about the dutiful son, who stayed in his comfort zone, but remained bitter at both of them? Our ego is the greatest trap and the biggest hindrance to overcoming the barriers we set up between us. The cross of Christ can be seen as a death to our self (ego), so that something new can be given (resurrection). Where are you at?
Rev.'D
Showing posts with label Sermon topic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sermon topic. Show all posts
16 February, 2011
01 February, 2011
Life outside the box
The sermon topics have been based on the Epiphany readings set for the Church liturgical year. It's basically all about this truth: that Christ is the light of the world, who has come into our darkness. I would sum it up as an invitation to explore life outside the box.
We all have our box (mostly it is a dark box with insurmountable walls). Jesus approached a few people and lifted them out of their box ... "come and follow me" ... after that we known them as Christ's disciples. You always need someone who has explored life a little bit further on from where we are, to give us the courage and the helping hand, to move beyond our confinement.
Every child going back to school knows this. Without the teachers' input, and an attitude of learning by the student, we do not grow. Fear keeps us trapped, but faith releases us, and it releases us into a marvellous future already prepared by God - especially for you!
Rev.'D
We all have our box (mostly it is a dark box with insurmountable walls). Jesus approached a few people and lifted them out of their box ... "come and follow me" ... after that we known them as Christ's disciples. You always need someone who has explored life a little bit further on from where we are, to give us the courage and the helping hand, to move beyond our confinement.
Every child going back to school knows this. Without the teachers' input, and an attitude of learning by the student, we do not grow. Fear keeps us trapped, but faith releases us, and it releases us into a marvellous future already prepared by God - especially for you!
Rev.'D
17 November, 2010
As in the days of Noah
Christ was once asked about indicators for the 'end of days.' He remarked about how our 'last days' are like the days of Noah. What many may not know, is that the Bible has recorded for us the actual day when Noah went into the ark. Once the door was closed behind him, it rained for 40 days and nights. Those days are commenorated each year on the Hebrew Calendar on Cheshvan 17 (in our October running the 40 days to early December).
That event changed the climate and geography of our planet - the last time we actually had climate change. If Jesus is indicating that similar climatic events will accompany the 'last days,' then according to our scientist, we are approaching yet another earth-altering time. How sad for the countless lives lost, with only Noah and his family surviving ... because they trusted in God's Word for them. Are we in similar days, with countless people ignoring the Word of God for their lives? I guess Noah banked on this truth: God said what He meant, and God meant what He said. What are we banking on today, for tomorrow?
Rev.'D
That event changed the climate and geography of our planet - the last time we actually had climate change. If Jesus is indicating that similar climatic events will accompany the 'last days,' then according to our scientist, we are approaching yet another earth-altering time. How sad for the countless lives lost, with only Noah and his family surviving ... because they trusted in God's Word for them. Are we in similar days, with countless people ignoring the Word of God for their lives? I guess Noah banked on this truth: God said what He meant, and God meant what He said. What are we banking on today, for tomorrow?
Rev.'D
01 September, 2010
Happy Father's Day
There is one unique feature in the Christian faith that sets it apart from all others. Jesus taught his disciples to pray in a manner unaccustomed to their former training. Jesus placed our faith experience in the context of an actual relationship with God; in particularly, God as our Heavenly Father!
The Lord's prayer begins with "Our Father in Heaven, ...". No one dared to presume such an intimate relationship with God as that of a family man. Yet, it shouldn't come as a surprise. Just as Jesus was born of Mary (his earthly mother) and also by divine inception (his heavenly status), so we read in Col.2:9 that in Christ the fullness of the deity dwelt bodily. In the Nicean Creed we confess that Jesus is fully man and fully God. In Phil 2:5-11 we read about how God became part of his creation, just as John 1:1-4, 14 claims ... the 'word became flesh.'
So this Father's Day, for us as Christians, we might like to remember that we belong to a huge family; the family of God. And thanks to Christ we now have access to God like it is in a family setting. My kids have access to me, benefit from my provision and love, have the right to come into our home at any time, indeed they have their very own room in our house. A stranger has none of these privileges - a stranger stays outstide at the front door. But through Jesus we are no longer strangers to God, we are family! We have a place in his kingdom; we have a room in his house; we have a seat at his table! And isn't it around the dinning room table where families celebrate all kinds of events with a huge meal for all to share in ... happy Father's Day!
In Christ, we belong to God ... Amen to that!
Rev.'D
The Lord's prayer begins with "Our Father in Heaven, ...". No one dared to presume such an intimate relationship with God as that of a family man. Yet, it shouldn't come as a surprise. Just as Jesus was born of Mary (his earthly mother) and also by divine inception (his heavenly status), so we read in Col.2:9 that in Christ the fullness of the deity dwelt bodily. In the Nicean Creed we confess that Jesus is fully man and fully God. In Phil 2:5-11 we read about how God became part of his creation, just as John 1:1-4, 14 claims ... the 'word became flesh.'
So this Father's Day, for us as Christians, we might like to remember that we belong to a huge family; the family of God. And thanks to Christ we now have access to God like it is in a family setting. My kids have access to me, benefit from my provision and love, have the right to come into our home at any time, indeed they have their very own room in our house. A stranger has none of these privileges - a stranger stays outstide at the front door. But through Jesus we are no longer strangers to God, we are family! We have a place in his kingdom; we have a room in his house; we have a seat at his table! And isn't it around the dinning room table where families celebrate all kinds of events with a huge meal for all to share in ... happy Father's Day!
In Christ, we belong to God ... Amen to that!
Rev.'D
18 August, 2010
Life choices that matter
There are parts in the Bible that are difficult. Difficult because they challenge our comfortable and cosy church belief that God's grace and love will eventually get everyone to heaven. Well, then we come across a passage from Jesus' words, where he says: 'Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people and cause them to choose!'
What's the choice? In the context of our passage (Luke 12:51), Jesus just spoke about his coming again, then demands that we exercise our free will and choose, and then calls us to repentance (that is: to turn around from where we are going and follow him). Now here is my struggle. A small portion of our membership are demonstrating their relationship with Christ through their weekly worship, but a large number of our membership might pop in now and then, or leave it just to Christmas. What choice are they making about the importance of the gift of salvation for them and their future? In my own family there are those who have walked away from the Christian faith. What have they chosen? Would you blame God for the excercise of your own free will? Here is an aspect of the Gospel that is rarely talked about: God lets you decide your future! And it starts right now ...
Rev.'D
What's the choice? In the context of our passage (Luke 12:51), Jesus just spoke about his coming again, then demands that we exercise our free will and choose, and then calls us to repentance (that is: to turn around from where we are going and follow him). Now here is my struggle. A small portion of our membership are demonstrating their relationship with Christ through their weekly worship, but a large number of our membership might pop in now and then, or leave it just to Christmas. What choice are they making about the importance of the gift of salvation for them and their future? In my own family there are those who have walked away from the Christian faith. What have they chosen? Would you blame God for the excercise of your own free will? Here is an aspect of the Gospel that is rarely talked about: God lets you decide your future! And it starts right now ...
Rev.'D
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