Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 11 July 2021
How can I have the Good Life?
Scripture References: Psalms 51:1-19, 2 Samuel 11:1-13, 2 Samuel 12:1-15
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CloseWe have the word of God here with a very clear historical backdrop: the events of 2 Samuel 11-12. And, as we read that account of avoidance of responsibility, of adultery and corruption and murder, we cannot help asking ourselves, ‘How can a man like that have the good life?’ And then we consider ourselves—either with a ‘big’ sin that dominates our lives, or besetting sin that runs our lives, or even just the realization that we are ‘normal sinners’. And we ask the same question: ‘How can a sinner like me have the good life?’ It was a question God’s people asked as they returned from Exile. It is a question we ask continually. Psalm 51 answers it: the sinner can have the good life by throwing themselves upon the character of God with a contrite and broken heart. The Bible calls such an action ‘repentance’: to return to God with the appropriate brokenness.
Scripture References: Psalms 51:1-19, 2 Samuel 11:1-13, 2 Samuel 12:1-15
From Series: Service - Sunday Morning, Psalm | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
How can I have the Good Life?Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 11 July 2021Psalms 51:1-19 |
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Are you happy?Andrew McClenaghan - Sunday, 15 April 2018Ruth 1:1-6 |
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Esther is such an exciting story! There are evil plots. There are interesting yet flawed characters. There is risk and sacrifice. There is heroism and villainy. Today, we are introduced to the villain of the plot, and what an evil scheming villain he is! He spins lies and concocts murderous plans to do away with the Jews, God’s covenant people. How will the people respond? Will he get away with his evil plan? Will God, who is not mentioned at all, intervene to protect His people, to live up to the promises He made to Abraham, the people at Mt Sinai, and to David?
There is so much that sounds familiar in these first two chapters of Esther: the world is dominated by loud and brash and imposing and degraded power, the people of God are small and struggling and faced with ambiguous decisions and actions and God seems so far away he is almost absent (at least to our minds and hearts). As we read this book, we will need God’s revelation to help us navigate its strangeness, its ambiguity, and its confrontational narrative. In this, we have the key to the book—the lack of God’s name in letters does not mean the lack of God’s presence.
He is risen! This morning we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The tomb is empty, the power of sin and death has been defeated. It is fitting that if Jesus’ last words were “it is finished” than His first words to His followers are “peace be with you”. But this is no ordinary greeting. The work of Jesus, His life, death, burial and resurrection is the grounds on which our relationship with God can be restored. The brokenness and rebellion that once plagued our lives has been dealt with. It’s no wonder that Jesus’ words are “peace be with you”. Jesus doesn’t give peace as the world does, nor does He promise a life free from trouble. But He does promise life to the full. God promises Shalom, complete wholeness in relationship with Himself through Jesus. That is something to celebrate!
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