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Making Sense of God’s Will

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Making Sense of God’s Will

Sometimes life happens to us – the storms of life! – leaving us reeling and questioning: Where is God in this? Why did God let this happen? Is this God’s will? If it is God’s will, must I just submit to it? And if it’s not God’s will, must I fight against it? What is God’s will anyway?!

These are things we all grapple with from time to time. In fact, it is something I am grappling with right now. There are no easy answers. And so this message is really a message to myself. You’ll be listening in on my own questioning. Hopefully, you’ll gain a new insight into God’s attitude towards you; God’s love for you.

This message draws on several verses, not just one passage:

Matthew 7:9-11
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Matthew 18:14
“So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.”

John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Ephesians 1:9-10
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (NASB)

Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (AV)

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Turning Water into Wine

Turning Water into Wine

The wedding in Cana of Galilee was the wedding of the decade, with fabulous catering! But John 2:11 explains that the point of the story is to reveal Christ’s glory so that we may have faith in him. This sermon unpacks these two related points:

  • We see that Christ is the one, full of love, who is concerned for the ordinary events of our lives and who desires to bless us with abundance;
  • And we see that when there are troubles in life, we can turn to Jesus and act in faith, even when we don’t understand or feel faith.

This is what it means to have faith in Jesus: to entrust ourselves to Jesus.

John 2:1-11

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons (75-115 litres). Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

Painting by Romaya Puchman

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In Praise of the Small

In Praise of the Small

This is inspired by the witness of Elizabeth and Mary, and consistent ways in which God works through those who are small and ‘less than’, through our little gifts and small abilities. God does not require greatness; rather God looks for our willingness. Luke 1. 23 December 2012.

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Prophets of the Most High in a Time of HIV and Violence

Prophets of the Most High in a Time of HIV and Violence

It is the second Sunday in advent, and our focus this week is on John, preparing the way for Christ. But we also commemorated World Aids Day and the 16 Days of Activism Against Woman and Child Abuse, so this sermon draws these themes together in what turned out to be quite a challenging message. Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79 & 3:1-6. 9 December 2012.

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Instructed Eucharist – Advent

Instructed Eucharist – Advent

This is a printed transcript of an Instructed Eucharist. At several points during the service we paused the action and reflected on what we are doing and why. 2 December 2012.

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The Blind Leading the Blind

The Blind Leading the Blind

This is from the story in Mark 10:46-52 of Jesus healing the blind beggar Bartimeaus, who is a model of discipleship for us. Mark 10:46-52. 28 October 2012.

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Sex, Lies and Videotapes

Sex, Lies and Videotapes

This is about marriage, adultery and divorce. Mark 10:1-12. 7 October 2012.

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Matters of the Heart

Matters of the Heart

Today is the fifth and last Sunday in our Stewardship Month, and is called Dedicated Giving Sunday. Today everyone brings up the dedication of tithes and ministry for coming year. The sermon is called ‘Matters of the Heart’, because I emphasise that it is the heart of love that underlies the behaviour of giving.  Ps 51:13-17, Ez 11:16-20, 1 Cor 13:1-8, Lk 6:43-45. 30 September 2012.

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Gifted by the Spirit

Gifted by the Spirit

This is a sequel to last week’s and focuses on how God gifts us with the Spirit so that we are equipped to God’s work in the world. Ex 31:1-11, 1 Cor 12-1-11,27-31 and John 16:7-15. 9 September 2012.

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Hearing God’s Mission for You

Hearing God’s Mission for You

This is the first in a five-part series on stewardship, with the theme: Each of us, using our gifts, in service to Christ. Gen 12:1-4, Rom 11:33-12:8 and John 13:12-17. 2 September 2012.