Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 5 March 2023
Going
Scripture References: Matthew 28:16-20, Psalms 10:1-18, Philippians 2:5-11
Gathering Growing Going
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CloseJesus’ command to ‘go’ is logical, powerful, and possible. It is logical because disciples are to come from ‘every nation’. It is powerful because of the authority of the One who gives it. And it is possible, because Jesus assures His disciples of His presence with them, as they obey Him. The danger with this four-word summary of who we are as God’s mob in Narrabri is that it could become all about us, and all about our activity. After all, these are all verbs we do! However, the purpose of this command of Jesus – and our obedience to it – is not for our significance to be known, but for God’s significance to be proclaimed – it is for God’s glory! Perhaps we need a ‘fifth’ ‘g’: gospelling, gathering, growing, going – for God’s glory!
Scripture References: Matthew 28:16-20, Psalms 10:1-18, Philippians 2:5-11
From Series: Service - Sunday Morning, The Four G's | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Going | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 5 March 2023 | Watch | Listen | |
Growing | Stephen Bailey | Sunday, 26 February 2023 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
Gathering | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 19 February 2023 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
Gospelling | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 12 February 2023 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
The Unstoppable Gospel - through Persecution | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 7 June 2009 | Listen |
Christmas 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!
Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is sent a dream from God. Basically, God saying “This is what the future holds, get ready!” How will Pharaoh respond? Will he listen and act? We see Joseph reach a semi-climax in his story. The young boy who has suffered for 13 years has now grown into a man who fully relies on God. He trusts in God’s greatness. He trusts in God’s word. He trusts that God is with him. How will that play out as he is brought in front of the most powerful man in all of Egypt? Will he succumb to the pressures around him, or stand firm in the power of the covenantal God? As we look at the story of Joseph we see a template for ourselves, a way that we can, and should, respond to God and His goodness. But there is more to Joseph. We also see the image of One who would bring salvation to all nations. One who would endure unjust suffering but then be raised to glory. We see Jesus!
In Genesis 40, the summary statement ‘after this’ (although this section really starts in Genesis 39:21), shows that the LORD’s presence remains. These are important to notice and remember because they raise our eyes from a basic morality tale to the plans and promises and commitment of the LORD to this broken world. In this instance, it is in verse 8: ‘Don’t interpretations belong to God?’ Joseph has come to realise that, as he navigates life (and he has now been enslaved for eleven years!), the only interpretation that works, that makes sense, is that of the LORD committed to him. Isn’t this the truth we are encouraged to return to time and time again – just read of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38-42).
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