100207
Baptism Testimonies Click here to listen to the Baptism Testimonies. 10mins
Click here to listen to the sermon. 13mins.
Moya Lethbridge
Isaiah. 6:1-8,
Luke 5 :1-11,
1 Cor. 15:1-11
Sparrows in birdbath – song “His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me”. Happiness!
AAW Sunday – MU and WF involve over 60 women in fellowship, worship and service. Years of knitting, baking, fund-raising, (Ladies’ Guild), teas etc. Hidden service.
Can think “my life is not very important”. Must be Jenny Shipley or Helen Clark to have impact.
God says NO! Unique fingerprints. God knows YOU.
Looked at hidden women in today’s readings – like sparrows!
Isaiah married to prophetess (Isa. 8:3) – means one who knew God and passed on messages. Who knows her importance in Isaiah’s ministry? Children had prophetic names:
Shear-Jashub – “Few will remain” (Isa. 7:3)
Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz – “Quick Loot, Fast Plunder” – all about God’s judgement on Israel foretold by Isaiah. (Isa. 8:3)
Wife part of this prophetic message.
Consider the calling of disciples in Luke 5. What was Peter’s wife’s reaction to “left all and followed Jesus”? Had the fish! Peter trusted Jesus with provision, wife had to too.
Luke 4 :38-39 healing of wife’s mother. Later went on travels with Peter as did wives of other apostles and Jesus’ brothers (1 Cor. 9:5) - called “believing” women by Paul. Good wife basic to many a man’s success.
My dream of “spiritual children” – small circle of several families of not-yet-believers – mention by name, plus some individuals. Seems small in great world. Friend at New Wine asked for prayer for husband – God reminded of Rom. 4:20-21 –“Abraham grew strong in faith, giving glory to God and fully convinced he would do what he had promised”. Keep praying, keep loving, keep believing.
Jesus died for one thief on a cross (Luke 23:42-43) as well as for whole world.
Child and starfish story – heaps of starfish on beach, throwing back one at a time. Why? It makes a difference to the one that gets back.
1 Cor. 15:1-11 Gospel is Christ died for sins, buried, rose from dead (physically!) – seen by witnesses and more than 500. (1 Cor. 15:6) Included women! Named ones supported Jesus in ministry (Mary M, Joanna, Susanna - Luke 8:1-3) and followed too. Loved Jesus, trusted him and served him like multitudes since.
Spread Gospel to women in cultures like Muslim – segregation of sexes. Mrs Bartholomew founded our church in 1800’s (Punga Hall, wives of workers at sawmill, sewing classes and played organ at services. A NZ Mary Sumner!)
1 Cor. 15:10 Paul says “By grace of God I am who I am” – us too. I am a woman called by God to love him and serve him – so are you. You are who you are – daughter, wife, mother, widow, grandmother, great-grandmother – by grace of God.
Nothing by chance in God’s world – each sparrow, woman, man, wanted, valued. Your love and service are needed.
May Nicholas
The Call!
I have headed my talk “The Call”, because each of today’s readings reflect a call.
But as I start I need to define disciple-a disciple is not only a believer but also a devoted follower. A disciple is a person who loves Jesus wholeheartedly and is willing to continue growing, learning to walk in the Spirit, coming to know God and all the facets of His nature. A disciple can be taught by the Holy Spirit and by Jesus to become a disciple maker.
This is not the same as preaching so that people hear the gospel-the reading from 1 Cor. 15 states quite clearly what that gospel is-that Christ died according to the scriptures, and that he rose again after 3 days according to the scriptures.
Preaching is the agent whereby people “hear” and are encouraged to respond. But it is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring Salvation-it is a work of grace that requires a revelation. In Acts 2:21 Jesus says “ and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be save”; in Rom.10:13-15 Paul writes” everyone who calls upon tha name the Lord’s name shall be saved. But in order to believe, people need to hear the gospel and that requires someone preaching to them.
In Mark’s gospel we are commanded to Go and PREACH the gospel. In Matthews gospel we are commanded to Go and make DISCIPLES of all nations, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you and surely I will be with you always to the very end of the age.
In the book “The Ultimate treasure Hunt- a book that shows a pattern that even the most reluctant soul winner can be encouraged by-it records research that shows it often takes 5 or 6 “encounters” with God before a person is ready for the salvation revelation. The problem is as individuals doing the loving/sharing we don’t know if we are No.1, no.3 or No.6 in that process. God alone knows and its His job to reveal His grace-which He is doing all over the world in these last days.
Isaiahs commissioning echo’s a sentiment that many can identify with at some time. Isaiah was passionately involved in connecting with God and with bring His message to the people. Paul would have been as passionate-if not more so because his revelations were in light of the cross and resurrection. He is very clear about this gospel that he preached to the church at Corinth. In Chapters 11-14 Paul teaches about Holy Communion, The Holy Spirit, The love that is needed, how to move in the gifts and “Now” he reminds the brothers of the gospel that he preached, upon which the brothers had take a stand and by which they are saved if they hold firmly to the preached word. Paul is making disciples-men and women who are becoming devoted followers of Jesus. He reminds them of the gospel which hasn’t changed, that is the same today, the gospel is that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raise in the 3rd day according to the scriptures, that He appeared to Peter, and then to the 12, after that to more than 500 at the same time, then to James then to all the apostles and lastly to Paul. No matter who is doing the preching, the gospel is what is to be believed and the task of ‘saving the lost’ is God’s job.
Discipleship unfolds through relationship-with God, with neighbours, with people. We are all anointed for discipleship and it will flow easily as we follow the Spirit’s leading. We can easily step into the anointing to preach the gospel and to disciple believers because “it is God who is at work in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.’ As we are filled with the Word and with the Spirit then wisdom will flow from our heart and mouth. Lets be open to His leading and make disciples. A new baby needs lost of love, affirmation, good food and practrical care. We have freely received God’s love and instruction, so lets freely give.
Close with collect for today-(together) Most Holy God, in whose presence angels serve in awe, and whose glory fill all heaven and earth: cleanse our unclean lips and transform us by your grace so that your word spoken through us may bring many to your salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
|