Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 3 December 2023
The Importance of Presence
Scripture References: Matthew 1:18-25, Psalms 45:1-17, Isaiah 7:1-20
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CloseChristmas is coming! As December 25 looms large, it is also a moment to consider God’s pattern of preparation for this moment. And Matthew helps us do this. In four simple references to parts of the Old Testament, Matthew helps us understand that this moment is the culmination, the climax, of the pattern of God’s preparation for His promises to be fulfilled. This fulfilment is not that of the predictive nature, but of a pattern of actions – a pattern that is both similar to what happens at the birth of Jesus – but that birth is bigger and more amazing than anything else!
Scripture References: Matthew 1:18-25, Psalms 45:1-17, Isaiah 7:1-20
Related Topics: Christmas | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
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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.
The book of Esther recounts a period where God's people are in exile, aliens in a foreign land. Sounds like our time doesn't it? Even when God seems absent, He is at work. The great reversal of power at the heart of the universe has already taken place. Jesus won victory over death on the cross and in His resurrection. Satan the great enemy of God and His people, has been defeated. We wait in the now but not yet. Waiting for the Lord Jesus to return and give His people relief and rest. But as we wait, we share the good news of the gospel, call people to faith in Jesus, faithfully endure persecution, knowing that our deliverance is assured.
We love a turning point. Whether it is a story or a football game. Hope dawning at the darkest time. Where is the great turning point in Esther? It could be our memory verse, when Esther is persuaded by Mordecai to act to save her people. It could be when the king looks with favour upon Esther and holds out the golden scepter to her. It could be when Haman is forced to lead Mordecai through the city mounted on the king’s horse and proclaims that he is the man the king delights to honour. They are major events in the story of Esther. They are turning points of a sort. But the writer of Esther points us to another event. That looks so trivial.
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