Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 27 December 2020
Rest rightly...
Scripture References: Psalms 131:1-3, Psalms 136:1-26, Matthew 19:13-15
Gathering Growing Going
Loading Content...
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
CloseScripture References: Psalms 131:1-3, Psalms 136:1-26, Matthew 19:13-15
Related Topics: Word | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
God has not abandoned usBen Connelly - Sunday, 19 December 2021Psalms 28:1-9 |
||
Who can Stand before God?Andrew McClenaghan - Sunday, 12 December 2021Psalms 24:1-10 |
||
Where is your Refuge?Phil Firth - Sunday, 5 December 2021Psalms 16:1-11 |
||
Real People, Real Plans, Real GraceBernard Gabbott - Sunday, 28 November 2021Titus 3:12-15 |
||
What Christian life looks likeBen Connelly - Sunday, 21 November 2021Titus 3:1-11 |
||
The Best Thing since before Sliced BreadBernard Gabbott - Sunday, 14 November 2021Titus 2:11-15 |
||
Doctrine and Deeds Go TogetherBernard Gabbott - Sunday, 7 November 2021Titus 2:1-10 |
||
We can't buy GraceBernard Gabbott - Sunday, 31 October 2021Romans 1:16-17 |
||
Dealing with the Danger of False TeachingBernard Gabbott - Sunday, 24 October 2021Titus 1:10-16 |
||
What is a Godly Leader?Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 17 October 2021Titus 1:5-9 |
||
What is greatness? In particular, what is greatness in the kingdom of God? That is the question addressed in the passage from Matthew today. Jesus is approached by two different groups. First, the family of Zebedee: James and John and their mother. Second, two blind men. Jesus asks both groups the same question “What do you want me to do for you?” What they request is quite revealing. And so is Jesus’ response to their requests. The Zebedees request position, status, reward for effort. The blind men request mercy, for their eyes to be open. Which request lines up with Jesus’ teaching previously? Which request do we tend to go to ourselves?
The Department of Home Affairs has an Australian Values Statement on its website. Visa applicants for residency/citizenship must sign this. And one of its key principles is that we are a ‘fair-go’ country. We would all agree with that. I suspect, too, that we would summarise our ‘fair go’ culture by stating that ‘you get what you deserve/what you work for’. In fact, many of us have established our relational, social and work ethics on this very principle. But is that what the ‘kingdom of heaven is like’? What is its value statement? What is the hallmark of such a kingdom, and its ruler, even its citizenship? Today, after Jesus has assured his disciples that the dependent will be provided for by their king, he now uses the same ideas to issue with them a warning not to abuse, misuse, ignore or become entitled in the face of the kingdom of heaven hallmark—which is grace.
Jesus deals with the question of ‘Who belongs in the kingdom?’ Is it children? Is it the good? Is it the godly? And, how and what does this look like? This question of ‘belonging’ is one that is constant in our lives – where do I belong, do I belong, what does belonging look like? And Jesus is very clear: the kingdom of heaven is made up of the dependent, the reliant, the weak – just like children.
13 Dewhurst St, Narrabri NSW 2390
Ph: (02) 6792 2151
Email: Click Here
8:30am & 10:30am each Sunday
9:30am each Sunday in January
Copyright © 2024 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in