Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 18 July 2021
Praise the Lord! Remember the Benefits!
Scripture References: Psalms 103:1-22, Exodus 34:1-9, Romans 8:31-39
Gathering Growing Going
Loading Content...
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
CloseWhat good is there in knowing God? Psalm 103 deals with that question—and it encourages the reader to praise the LORD because of ‘all his benefits’. And the benefits are summed up in his name—Psalm 103:8 is a direct quote of Exodus 34:6, where the LORD reveals his name fully to Moses. At the heart of the LORD’s name is his faithful love and compassion. His faithful love (his hesed) is his commitment to make his relationship with those who fear him work to the best of its capacity. His compassion is treating his enemy as they do not deserve, with grace and generosity and kindness. So, what benefit is there in being one of God’s people? Well, it is to know him, by his name and his deeds, which give us what we do not deserve! Moreover, this benefit is a spur to two actions: praise (as one writer said, why whinge when you can worship?), and proclamation (how good is it for others to know the LORD?).
Scripture References: Psalms 103:1-22, Exodus 34:1-9, Romans 8:31-39
Related Topics: Psalms | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Evidence that demands a Verdict | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 8 November 2009 | Listen | ||
Conspiracy and Ambush | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 1 November 2009 | Listen | ||
A clear and present danger | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 25 October 2009 | Listen | ||
What is Jesus all about? | Bruce Bennett | Sunday, 18 October 2009 | Listen | ||
The Revolting Crowd | Lindsay Heal | Sunday, 11 October 2009 | Listen | ||
No Fear | Richard Riley | Sunday, 4 October 2009 | Listen | ||
Finding God in Athens | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 27 September 2009 | Listen | ||
Invading Europe | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 20 September 2009 | Listen | ||
Invading Europe | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 13 September 2009 | Listen | ||
A Crucial Debate | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 6 September 2009 | Listen |
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