Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20Last Sunday (in the sermon) we saw that we...  Read More

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.1 Corinthians 10:31So, we read on Tuesday (and heard on Sunday) - that it’s right for God’s glory to be the purpose of our lives. But what does that actually look like? To use Paul’s words, what does it look like to eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God?Well, let’s think about a couple of commo...  Read More

Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.Romans 10:4It’s hard to imagine being an Old Covenant Israelite. To keep the law of God/Moses is almost inconceivable to us. The first thing that comes to mind is trivial. No bacon! But then there’s the other stuff. The unclean/clean rules that meant separating yourself for periods of time (particular...  Read More

Q. 24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.Westminster Shorter CatechismAcross history, Kings & Rulers have sent ambassadors and heralds to speak their will to their subjects. God sent prophets. Ordinary humans given the privilege of speaking the very words of God....  Read More

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.1 John 3:18Politicians have probably always been a bit on the nose. But it certainly feels that trust is low at the moment. What is it about them? Part of the problem is that seemingly ‘loving’ words are rarely followed by actions.John’s wise encouragement to his ‘children’ or younger followers of Jesus (John is prob...  Read More

24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me,    or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices.But you have burdened me with your sins    and wearied me with your offenses.25 “I, even I, am he who blots out    your transgressions, for my own sake,    and remembers your sins no more.Isaiah 43:24-25On Sunday we saw God’s purpose for all things. It wasn’t firstly love, or mercy or even justice a...  Read More

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18People sometimes wonder, ‘what is God’s will for my life’? Should I be a nurse or a teacher? Should I go to this university or that one? Should I take this job or that one? Most of the time, God doesn’t mind! What is God’s will? That you would rejoice in Christ....  Read More

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9I had only been at church for a few months (many many years ago in a church far far away) before I witnessed a sadly classic ...  Read More

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:“‘Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,10 your kingdom come,your will be done,    on earth as it is in heaven.11 Give us today our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts,    as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation,    but deliver us from the evil one.’Matthew 6:9-1So finally we get to what is perhaps the big ticket item. ...  Read More

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.2 Corinthians 5:14-15 What does it mean to show thankfulness? I reckon it depends a bit on the context. Someone takes your plate to wash up. Saying thanks seems proporti...  Read More

Q. 23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.Westminster Shorter CatechismI’m a Dad. It’s one of my ‘offices’, along with ‘Pastor’, ‘Husband’ and ‘Brother’ (in the Christian sense). An office is a God instituted role that comes with specific respon...  Read More

Give careful thought to the paths for your feetand be steadfast in all your ways.Do not turn to the right or the left;keep your foot from evil.Proverbs 4:26-27I remember the first time I skied down a double black run at Perisher. Well, more like tumbled down. It was icy on the slopes and I kept edging as best I could (going across the slope rather than straight down). But eventually, I caught some...  Read More