19th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read (Romans 16v19) Message (Scott Woodburn) What do you desire in the coming year? In just a few days time 2024 will arrive and bring with it the wonderful potential for change. Will you read more? Eat less? Walk until your legs hurt? Paul had a clear ambition for the people in Rome and it is one that we should seek for our own fellowships. Firstly, Paul was clear that the Romans were not a disobedient people. Indeed, their obedience had become known to all (v19a). Whenever the Romans were spoken of in various other churches, their obedience to the Lord was a clear topic of conversation. Was the Roman church a perfect one? By no means! Such a place does not exist but nevertheless, the Romans had a reputation for obedience to the commands of God and this caused Paul to rejoice (v19b). However it is a foolish church that believes themselves to be the finished article and so Paul prayed that the Romans would grow in wisdom to what was good and be innocent as to what was evil. In other words the Roman Christians were never to rest on their laurels and assume that their obedience would always be a well reported fact. The obedient and faithful church will always be a target of the enemy and so such a fellowship should always seek to cultivate wisdom in the midst of this dark world. I'm mindful of Proverbs 23v23 which says "Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding." It seems to me that this would be a prudent mission statement for every church. Such a place would know the inestimable worth of God's Word and seek to major in it. This approach would make the local fellowship wise to what pleases God and at the same time keep them from acts of wickedness. I trust that your 2024 will be a memorable one. May you finally climb Slieve Croob, read War & Peace and lose that spare tyre round your middle. But even more I pray for your growing obedience, wisdom to what is good and innocence in wicked deeds. For Christ's sake. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q19 What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell? All mankind, by their fall, lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.
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18th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read - Matthew 1:18-25 (focus v18) Message Alan Burke It’s almost upon us, Christmas Day. Whether you love it or loathe it, it is something that it seems we have been getting ready for since the wains went back to school in September with the boxes of Celebrations and Heroes on the shelves. This year Iceland decided to play down the Christmas cheer and not do an add because of how the reality for many is that this Christmas will be a difficult one so instead of forking out a small fortune on making an advert and having it broadcast they decided to pass on the money saved to its customers but they might have been unique in this. Christmas which many celebrate on the 25th of December is not the actual date of Jesus’ birth but one that replaced a pagan Roman festival and even the the offering of gifts and decorating trees are linked to paganism. In the midst of it all though there is an opportunity to mark the coming of our saviour Jesus Christ and this week I want to focus on three thing from this passage, The Necessity Of The Holy Spirit Involvement v18, The Name Of Jesus, He Will Save His People From Their Sins v19 and The Name Of Immanuel, ‘God with us’ v23. Today ‘The Necessity Of The Holy Spirit Involvement v18’. I got asked recently why did Jesus need to come as a baby, why didn’t he simply come as a twenty something instead of having to go through all of that, the nappies, puberty, learning how to be a joiner like Jospeh and face all that inconvenience when he could have simply arrived in his late twenties called some disciples to himself and died for the sins of his people. Well it is because of who we are in Adam that it was necessary for since the fall every generation has been sinful. No matter how many generations come and go we are descended from Adam and we are by our very nature sinful. He came in this way, as a baby, not as a teenager, not as a twenty something because Jesus Christ could only atone for mans sin by being a man himself, it was necessary that he would come physically small, helpless, needing care and attention just like any new born child, in the coming of Jesus, conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary, who came into the world just as we come into the world, was born, wrapped in swaddling cloths, laid in a manger (Luke 2:7), where there was nakedness of child and mother, he needed fed, he cried and filled nappies or what ever they had then, all because as Hebrews 2 reminds us; 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil. (Heb 2:14) The miracle of God is that Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit came into the world by God’s direct involvement just as in the creation of Adam and Eve but he did not take on a sinful nature like us. A miracle of God that Jesus Christ could be born with a true human nature and without sin, as the virgin birth is the means by which God became flesh. It is the vehicle of the incarnation. It shows us that Jesus Christ was a true man. a "real son of a real mother." He didn't simply resemble man, he was man. And yet, he was conceived by God the Holy Spirit. His birth comes directly from God himself. Because of this, he can be fully man and fully God. He can stand in solidarity with sinners, and yet he can be the sinless sin-bearer. Conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and conceived in the mind of God in eternity past. Take away the virgin birth, and you take away our once-for-all-time perfect sacrifice. You take away our hope. You take away our atonement for sin. You take away the idea of God being both the judge and the justifier. Christ took a human nature from Mary, and did it in such a way that Mary’s own sinfulness was not taken with it, this is contrary to what the Roman Catholic Church teaches, Mary just like David who confessed; “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me”. (Ps 51:5), she was sinful just like you and I for we were brought forth in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me but Jesus was not conceived in the way that we have been conceived, even if we were born with the help of IVF. We have to know and understand that the Lord Jesus through the incarnation was not the appearance of man, not superman, but was in reality a man. Mary was but an instrument of the Holy Spirit to bring God in the flesh. We call this Incarnation. This one word contains the greatest truth and mystery the world has ever known and through him we can have salvation. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q18 Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’ s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called Original Sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it. (Rom. 5:12,19, Rom. 5:10–20, Eph. 2:1–3, James 1:14–15, Matt. 15:19) 16th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read (Romans 16v17-18) Message (Scott Woodburn) I'm certain that if you spotted a woman coming towards you this Sunday looking to greet you with a holy kiss (v16), you would probably see her coming and everyone else would notice your panic. In the same manner you and everyone else should be mindful that not everyone in the local fellowship is on the side of Jesus. That sounds immediately controversial but nevertheless it is true. Paul urged the Romans to watch out for those within the fellowship who caused division and taught false doctrine (v17). I'm sure there's no one like that in your church but let's imagine for a second that such an individual did exist in your congregation - how should you respond? Paul's advice is uncompromising as he counsels us to avoid those who cause division and teach heresy. The modern church struggles with such teaching because we see "being nice" as the Christian's chief virtue. We like to think that everyone's motives are pure and gone are the days that the church needed to be on guard for divisive false teachers. Brothers and sisters, may we wake up. Not everyone who sits beside you on Sunday is on the side of Christ. They may not openly preach "other gospels" and they may not loudly cause division but there often comes a moment that the true face displays itself. If you find yourself in a Bible study and an individual constantly denies orthodox Christian teaching then be careful! If you wonder why "Tom" is always negative and always unfriendly and always dissatisfied then be careful! Churches have been ripped apart by smooth talk, flattery and deception (v18) and so we must be careful that we are not the well meaning but naive Christians who believe "it will never happen here". Paul was no fool and although most of chapter sixteen is filled with joyful greetings to beloved Christians, the Apostle still took time to remind the Romans that there are always wolves among the flock of God. Such persons do not serve Jesus but themselves (v18a). Nothing has changed and so dear brothers and sisters, watch out for such trouble makers and avoid them. This may not seem very "nice" but it Biblically very necessary. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q17 Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. 15th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read - Revelation 22:1-6 Message - Alan Burke ‘First Posted 16th December 2022’ We have moved from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gethsemane and today we move to the Garden City. For it is in and through what Jesus Christ has done for us that we might know the Hope of the Garden City. Remember how when Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden and a flaming sword flashed back and forth to guard the was to the tree of life. It barred their way and our way to the tree of life. Man could not return to what was lost, but the beautiful climax of the word of God directs us to a glorious picture of what will be in heaven. One bookend of the bible tells us what we have lost because of sin, while the other bookend of the bible tells us what we receive through the redemption that has been bought by Christ Jesus. This is what as Romans 8 reminds us creation has been groaning for, waiting for the redemption of the sons of man (Rom 8:22). Jesus was the one who bore the wrath of God who faced the flaming swords that bard our way to the tree of life and in Revelation 22 we are given this glorious picture of the Tree of life of when this earthly toil is over, when Christ has made all things new the redeemed people of God will find eternal rest and refreshment with Him. This word picture in Revelation 22 gives us a glimpse of what we will inhabit and that has been accomplished by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. A return to a paradise as that of Eden. Although the first Eden is no more the Eden the splendour and beauty that we look to is here where, the river of the water of life is there, the tree of life, once more we will have access to the Tree of life. What is more is that this tree of life, that is leaves are for the healing of the nations. Here there is a great reversal of sins curse and the consequences that came in Genesis. Not only that, there will also be a renewed intimacy with God for the throne of God and the Lamb speaking of Jesus Christ will be in the City. God’s people will see His face, His name will be on their foreheads and God shall be their light. What was lost by the first Adam we so clearly experience each day, sin effects us all, it impacts every decision, every relationship, it impacts our bodies that age and which to the dust they will return. But what is revealed to us in Revelation 22 is a reminder what is ours through faith in the second Adam, the one who unlike the first obeyed the will of the Father, who redid us by His blood and has sealed us by the Spirit. God has come to deal with what has happened, not to try and cover it up as Adam and Eve were trying to do. What we have in the gospel is how God incarnate, Immanuel comes with the offer of sins forgiven, of Hope of that paradise that was lost, restored. Adam brought sin and death into the world, but Christ has reversed the consequences of Adam’s sin and has given His own life and righteousness to secure their eternal glory. He did what the first Adam did not, Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience, He has won bruised the head of the serpent, satan is now a defeated foe and we wait for that wonderful day that we will dwell with out God though faith in the Garden City, where God will live with His people, the dwelling place of God will be with man and there will be no more sin and shame. Knowing that the Christmas story began in the Garden of Eden and ends in the Garden City via the Garden of Gethsemane and the Garden Tomb reminds us that God keeps His promises. The Christmas hope was announced in the Garden, of He who would come, Jesus Christ, who has come, He is Our Christmas Hope. Merry Christmas! Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q16 Did all mankind fall in Adam’ s first transgression? The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression. (Gen. 2:16–17, Rom. 5:12, 1 Cor. 15:21–22) 14th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read (Romans 16v16) Message (Scott Woodburn) In Northern Ireland we are a fairly buttoned up kind of people. We might offer one another a firm handshake or a solid pat on the back but we draw a clear line in the sand at anything which goes beyond straight laced conduct. I once knew a man who didn't even appreciate handshakes and so you can imagine his disgust when one Christmas he was grabbed and hugged by a zealous older lady in his congregation. She was letting him know that she loved and appreciated him but my friend turned bright red and could barely speak due to the shock of his ordeal. Such a man would have hated Rome. After Paul's list of greetings to numerous families, individuals and churches he urged his brothers and sisters to greet one another with a holy kiss (v16). This greeting would not have been out of place in Paul's day and he urged such an approach here and in three other places (1 Corinthians 16v20, 2 Corinthians 13v12 & 1 Thessalonians 5v26). What did a holy kiss look like? It was a kiss of sincere love and fellowship. It was a sign of mutual affection and joy. It had no sexual undertones but was holy, pure and in response to the Gospel. Now, with that said, will we be kissing all round us on Sunday morning? No. In our culture such an expression of love is not common and not considered appropriate. It is certainly different in other parts of the world but in Northern Ireland we are not the holy kissing kind. Even so, we should heed the exhortation of the Apostle. We may be a fairly stiff kind of people but we should still greet one another with affection and joy. What is the point? Sometimes Mrs. Woodburn rightly chastises me. She comes home from work and I barely lift my eyes to look at her, I don't listen to her account of her day and ignorantly I give the impression that I can't really be bothered. Such reactions are shameful and not to be recommended in marriage or church. When we lovingly greet a brother or sister in the Lord we are saying "This is my fellow Christian! This is a child of God! This is one for whom Christ died! Jesus loves this person and I love this person! Dear brother in Christ I welcome you!" We may never feel comfortable kissing our fellow Christians on the cheek but surely we can greet each other in a way that rightly honours the command of Scripture? The church is bigger than we can imagine and remarkably we have more in common with Christians in the Sudan than we do with the pagans down the street. All the churches sent greetings to Rome (v16b) and Christians everywhere were to greet one another with Christ honouring affection. Brothers and sisters, with lips or without, greet one another with a holy kiss. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q15 What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created? The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit. 13th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read - Matthew 26:36-46 Message - Alan Burke ‘First Posted 14th December 2022’ This is a three parter, really one big devotion over three days. If you didn’t read Monday’s don’t worry although you may be left wondering why are we focusing on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26 but sure just go with it. On Monday we were focusing on the Garden of Eden, today the Garden of Gethsemane. The reason why is from the moment that Jesus was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus took to himself a true body in the womb he had come to fulfil the promise that God had made in the Garden of Eden. No longer was the shadow of what lay ahead, how He had come to die for the sins of those who are His far off, instead the shadow lay heavenly upon Him. The Next day Jesus would go to the cross, take the cup that our sin deserved. The imagery of cup is that given in the Old Testament is of drinking the cup of the wrath of God (Jer 25:15-16; Isa 51:17, 22; Lam 4:21; Ezk 23:28-34; Hab 2:16). Jesus had come, to take the wrath of God, the punishment of the sin that came into the world at the fall. While Adam in the Garden just choose to disobey God’s clear command, Jesus the second Adam, that night in the Garden of Gethsemane with such anguish and turmoil, facing the burden of what lay ahead we are told fell to His knees with the weight of what was upon. He unlike Adam would not choose to disobey, instead He sought to obey the word of the Father. Falling to His knees the ground He prayed, verse 39, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Mt 26:39). Jesus unlike Adam was subjugating all His human desires to the Father's perfect will. He just like Adam had a choice to obey or disobey, to obey or disobey the will and the word of God. In the parallel account in Luke’s gospel we are told how he with the horror of what lay ahead, He sweat drops of blood, prayed, “not my will, but yours, be done”. The poignancy of what takes place here shouldn’t be lost on us. The anguish that Jesus faced in His humanity saw we are told in Luke, angels sent from heaven appearing to Him to strengthen Him as He prayed to the Father, this is a scene that depicts Jesus coming in desperation, with the weight of what lay ahead fully upon him, facing the wrath of God of all those who would repent and believe being placed upon Him, so that He requested that if it were possible some other way would be found. The prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane confronts us with the reality that God does not always take the hard things from us. While Adam did it His own way and choose disobedience, Jesus Christ the promised one of Genesis 3:15 in the Garden of Gethsemane willingly submitted himself to the wrath of God on our behalf. He would go to the cross, and lie in the Garden tomb, His heal was bruised but in it He crushed the head of the Serpent, Satan was a defeated foe. Today we can say that Satan may bark but he has been utterly defeated and his time is short. The outcome of the battle has never been in doubt. The ‘He’ of Genesis 3:15 is Jesus the Christ who has come in the flesh, to take the punishment for sin that Adam and Eve deserved, that we all deserve for our rebellion against a Holy God. This certainly does not downplay the horror of the cross, but just as a wounded heel would not be considered a fatal wound, so Christ is not defeated upon the cross. Satan however would be categorically defeated by Christ. His wound would be to the head. Jesus Christ as we are reminded in Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree” (Ga 3:12–13). Jesus Christ became cursed for us, he is our only hope, the one who took the curse for us. He did what Adam did not, it was there in the Garden of Gethsemane that we see His willingness to do the will of the Father for our salvation and that we might know the Hope of the Garden City. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q14 What is sin? Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. (1 John 3:4) 12th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read (Romans 16v3-15) Message (Scott Woodburn) There is a major temptation to move quickly past Romans 16. After fifteen chapters of rich theology and application, the sixteenth chapter seems like an uninteresting long goodbye full of names of men and women that we know little about. I'd urge you to resist the temptation to ignore Romans 16 and remember that all of Scripture is God breathed - even the chapters that seem a little bit irrelevant. What are we to make of Romans 16? I put it to you that it is a wonderful glimpse into the beauty of the church. Paul's list of greetings begins with Prisca and Aquila (v3). They were a husband and wife team from a Jewish background who had been forced to leave Rome under the persecution of Emperor Claudius (Acts 18v2). Prisca and Aquila had not only risked their lives to support Paul (v4a) but they were wealthy and had allowed the church to meet in their home (v5a). Additionally they had helped Apollos grow in his understanding of Christ(Acts 18v26). Epaenetus was the first convert to Christ in the Roman province of Asia (v5) which we know as modern day Turkey. Mary had worked hard for the Roman church (v6). Andronicus and Junia had worked alongside Paul and had been imprisoned for their efforts (v7a). They were known to the Apostles and had come to trust Christ before Paul (v7b). Ampliatus was a brother in Christ (v8). Urbanus was a Gospel worker (v9a) and Paul simply referred to "beloved" Stachys (v9b). Apelles was a well respected believer (v10). Aristobulus may have been a brother of Herod Agrippa I and Paul sent greetings to his family (v10b). Herodion was a freed slave who had worked for the Herods and again Paul sent greetings to the family belonging to someone called Narcissus (v11). Tryphaena, Tryphosa and Persis were all workers for the Lord (v12) while Rufus was a saved man (possibly a son of Simon of Cyrene) whose mother had treated Paul like her own son (v13). Lastly Paul greeted two specific fellowships. There was the group of Christians which included Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas and Hermas (v14) and there was Philologus, Julia, Nereus, Olympas and all the saints with them (v15). I freely admit that it is hard to stay focused throughout such a passage. Who were these people? How do we pronounce their names? Is any of this relevant? As I read these verses I am thankful for the church of Jesus Christ. The men and women listed in these verses couldn't have been more different. Some of them were ethnic Jews with others identified as Gentiles. Some were rich, some were poor and some had even served as slaves. Some gave their time, others their money and others still their encouragement. They couldn't have been more different but they were united by the common cause of the Gospel and their common faith In Jesus. I'm certain your church is not perfect and at times it might even leave you frustrated. Even so, every little fellowship across the land is a little outpost of heaven filled with men and women who love the Lord and are doing their best to serve Him. Brothers and sisters, however you respond to such passages, please don't despise the church. Jesus doesn't and nor should you. The bride of Christ is ancient and exceedingly beautiful - thanks be to God. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q13 Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created? Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God. 11th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read - Genesis 3 Message - Alan Burke ‘First Posted 12th December 2022’ This week we are going to do something a little different, maybe its not for everyone but I know for most people it will be. For what normally happens in the next couple of weeks is that ministers will be in their studies trying to figure out how they can preach one of the usual ‘Christmas’ passages in a way that hasn’t been heard before. I’ve just shelved that attempt and instead I want to this week take you to Three Gardens. Hopefully you will understand the why in all of it by the weeks out for what we celebrate isn’t an isolated message of a coming of baby in a manager it is something far greater In salvation history. So today we go to the ‘Garden of Eden'. Not the most typical Christmas message I know, but Christmas was announced in the Garden with the first announcement of the gospel in the book of Genesis. For a manger isn’t where the hope begins, the hope begins in the midst of the fall, where God preached the gospel to the Satan, the gospel was proclaimed and announced in the Garden of Eden. I’m going to be selective in what we focus on from this passage, we haven’t got time to work through it in its fullness. But bear in mind the context, how in the beginning God made all that is and it was good, God looked when he had finished his word of creation and said it was very good (1:31). God’s creation was very good. God’s people lived in God’s place under his rule and blessing. There was no death or mourning or crying or pain, these were not in the created order. Fast forwards to v6 we are told after the interaction between Satan and Eve, she saw took, ate, and then gave some to Adam. It wasn’t that Adam was off somewhere herding up the animals, trying to put a roof up for over their heads, he wasn’t working the ground, he wasn’t being the custodian that he was tasked with by God. No, Adam he was there, v6 and Eve also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Eve ate because she was tempted to do so, Adam just choose to disobey God’s clear command. There sin entered the world, God’s very good world, sin entered and death followed. The relationship between God and man was left in tatters. Tragic, sin changed everything, shame filled their minds as they looked upon the nakedness of each other, they are filled with shame for they know what they have done. And they hide from the presence of God, they had from Him who had shown them such goodness, they rejected the word of God and in an effort to cover their shame they sow fig leaves together to hide from their sin and from their God. While the man and women are engulfed with sin and shame, God does not abandon His creation or His creatures, nor does He simply bring the judgment that they deserve for rejecting His word. Instead, and this is wonderful, don’t miss it, the Lord, well, He comes, He seeks those out who had rejected His word. In they midst of their sin and shame the Lord God looks for them as they try to hide from His presence because they herd Him coming. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q12 What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created? When God had created man, he entered into a (covenant of life) with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. (Gal. 3:12, Gen. 2:17) 9th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read (Romans 16v1-2) Message (Scott Woodburn) In the ancient world it wasn't a straight forward matter to send a letter to your friends or family. You and I take the Post Office for granted and there are even many other options available to send your Christmas cards over the next few weeks - but not so for Paul. The letter to the Romans wasn't popped into a red pillar box but was delivered by hand and probably by a woman named Phoebe. As chapter sixteen begins Paul "commends" Phoebe to the Romans. This would have been a common practice in the church with Christians who had to travel from city to city taking with them a letter of commendation from their own local fellowship. In this manner, known trouble makers or preachers of heresy couldn't easily move around without challenge. Phoebe was no trouble maker but a servant of the church at Cenchreae (pronounced Sen-Kree-Ay). Cenchreae was a Greek city just a few miles away from Corinth and it was there that Phoebe served her Saviour. Paul describes Phoebe as a servant or "diakonos" in Greek and some use this verse as a battleground over whether or not there was/is a church office called deaconess. Whatever Phoebe's role did or did not entail, she was entrusted by Paul to take his letter to Rome. Indeed, the Apostle described her as a patron of both Paul and many others (v2b). From this we can infer that Phoebe supported Paul and others financially. She loved the Lord, she served His church and she opened her bank account to the cause of Christ. It's no wonder that Paul urged the Romans to welcome Phoebe "in a way worthy of the saints" (v2a) and to give her all the help that she needed. Phoebe wasn't to travel around the city of Rome trying to find somewhere to sleep, she wasn't to go hungry in the city and she wasn't to deliver the letter and then start straight back to Cenchreae. The Romans were to love Phoebe, feed her, give her lodgings and to do all they possibly could to make her time away from home as pleasant as possible. This is the "way worthy of the saints" and it remains (or at least it should) the manner in which we are to greet brothers and sisters from the wider church. This is Gospel hospitality and I trust we practice it often. Yet as I consider Phoebe I can't help but think of the Godly women who have been a tremendous blessing in my life and in the churches that I have called home. I remember one lady whose encouragement was constant and it made me feel ten foot tall. Another lady prayed for me consistently throughout the final years of her life. Yet another selflessly opened her purse in support of the Gospel. I'll not mention their names. Some are in glory whilst others continue to serve, but I praise God for the Phoebes' that I have known. Even so, one lady in particular stands like a colossus in my life. She is the most godly women I have met and yet she would be embarrassed if I ever said that out loud. She is a woman of prayer and understands what most of us haven't discovered about that gift. She longs for men and women to be saved and encouragement is never far from her lips. She is an extraordinary woman and although her name is not Phoebe, she has been a servant of the Gospel throughout her life. Brothers and sisters, encourage women like these. They are a blessing to the church and whilst we commend them in this life a far greater reward awaits for them in glory. "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." (Proverbs 31v30) Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q11 What are God’s works of providence? God’s works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. 8th December 2023
Pray (ACts) Read - 1 Samuel 22:1-23 Message Alan Burke David was on the run, he escaped Saul by heading to the enemy of his people and had to pretend he had gone insane with the drool running down his face to get himself out of it. When he escapes he heads to the cave of Adullam and gathered to himself a bunch of desperate men. David was the precursor of Robin Hood, with his not so merry men. We know that David goes on to be king, to be one of the greatest kings in the history of the nation but at this point it almost seems like a tragic repeat of Saul, David is on a trajectory to crash and burn, he’s not acting as a man who has a heart for God, he’s not living by faith, he has taken his eyes off God, this is a shadow of the man that we had seen, he is failing to trust in God, he’s on the run, he deceiving everyone, he’s got a band of not so merry men. Saul meanwhile was enjoying life other this his paranoia as ruler. We don’t know how much time has past since David and Jonathan parted because of Saul and we are introduced to Saul here seated on a hill in the royal city, surrounded by his officials. Things though in the intermediate time had not got any better, Saul’s anger continues, his hatred of David and his paranoia is getting the better of him. Turning against those closest to him, accusing his servants of conspiring against him. He’s now aware of the covenant that Jonathan had made with David, he can’t even mention their names. Saul’s servants are silent in response to the accusations except one, Doeg the Edomite, who was Saul’s head shepherd, remember him, who was there when David was in Nob. While Saul’s servants it seems had some loyalty to David and Jonathan Doeg couldn’t care less, he was an Edomite, an enemy of God’s people, he is willing to use it all for his own advantage telling Saul what he had seen. While the officials of Saul are unwilling to do anything Doeg he is willing and kills them all, the inhabitants of Nob, the priests, the men, women, children and infants, the cattle, donkeys and sheep, he didn’t need to be told twice, Saul is a tragic paranoid, revengeful figure, increasingly isolated even from those who are supposed to be closest to him, his family, advisers, servants, officials, only the enemy of God’s people Doeg is on his side who slaughters the people of Nob. The close of the chapter twenty two David learns of the tragedy that has befallen upon the priests of the Lord. Abiathar son of Ahimelech comes to David and tells him what happened and David admits that he knew Saul would be told, he knew he was responsible for the death of Abiathar’s family and invites him to stay. I mentioned earlier that there were no moral judgement made by the text about David’s actions, his deception, his desperation, nothing is said and in a sense there is nothing that needs to be said for David knew fine well that while he did not bear the sword he was the one responsible for the deaths of many. Rarely are the decisions that we make in desperation by ourselves the wise ones, David had sought the Lord while in Nob, Doeg had seen him but I suspect his own desperation had blinded himself to the guidance he had been given. There are often two different types of enquiry when people come to me when they want to know what the scriptures say. There are those who come and have already decide the course of action ahead of them, where there next step will be and their coming for advice is only to placate others or their own conscience and there others who come and who are actually seeking the Lord and his will in the midst of what they face. Sadly I think when David went to Know it was the first type of enquiry, he had already decided the course of action ahead of him and was only coming to placate his own conscience. He faced the unintended consequences of his moral failure, the text doesn’t need to comment because we see the consequences of David’s sins and it impacts others more than himself. Our sin has consequences it’s stating the obvious I know but it is true. They have consequences in our own lives and often in the lives of those around us but today we have taken Self-actualization to the extreme and are more concerned about what makes us happy and fulfilled even if it destroys the lives of those around us. Part of the Christian walk is to die to ourselves, our sinful desires and to seek to be holy. This is known as sanctification. Why we do this is because of just how much Christ Jesus has done for us and for anyone who calls themselves a believer then they should be seeking to die to self and live for Christ Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q10 How did God create man? God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures. (Gen. 1:26–28, Col. 3:10, Eph. 4:24) |
Alan
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