Neil Hunt - Sunday, 15 November 2020
He wants you to be sure
Scripture References: Genesis 18:1-15, Psalms 145:14-21, Romans 8:31-39
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CloseScripture References: Genesis 18:1-15, Psalms 145:14-21, Romans 8:31-39
Related Topics: Genesis | More Messages from Neil Hunt | Download Audio
What I love about Jesus is… He is God! | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 10 January 2021 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
He wants you to be sure | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 15 November 2020 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
His choice says: “My God keeps His promises” | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 18 October 2020 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
Jesus’ story is your story... | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 23 August 2020 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
Your King is Able... | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 2 August 2020 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
Unless the Lord builds a house... | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 12 July 2020 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
Jesus’ mission: ‘like sheep amongst wolves’ | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 7 June 2020 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
Who is it that you’re seeking? | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 12 April 2020 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
Be Utterly Astounded | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 22 March 2020 | Listen | ||
Present Kingdom | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 23 February 2020 | Watch | Listen |
Jesus has finally made it to Jerusalem. As Matthew prepares us for His entry into Jerusalem, he helps us confront Jesus’ authority, and the way in which it restores the concern of God for the outsider, and confronts the insider. This is the start of the Passover week. Jerusalem is a roiling maelstrom of religious and political fervour. And Matthew organises the narrative of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem around displays of His authority, rooted in recognition of His ‘old power’ – four Old Testament quotations structure the passage. As we come face-to-face with Jesus’ authority, three truths stand out. First, Jesus’ authority is extensive and all-encompassing. Second, Jesus’ authority is for the outsider, and rooted in God’s deep commitment to bring the outsider inside His kingdom. And, third, Jesus authority confronts the insider, and urges them to repentance. Come and meet Jesus, the King, in all His authority, as He enters Jerusalem!
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.
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