Dan Rowe - Sunday, 9 April 2023
Are we open to hearing from Jesus?
Scripture References: Luke 23:55-56, Luke 24:1-12, Psalms 16:1-11, Isaiah 53:7-12
Gathering Growing Going
Loading Content...
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
CloseAll is not as expected…its better! The tomb is open and the body of Jesus is gone. The angels proclaim “He is not here, He has risen!” (24:6) Easter Sunday is the climatic crescendo to God’s plan to redeem His people even if it is not what the disciples had expected. Through three separate encounters, we hear explained that what has taken place was no accident, no plan B, nor second rate option, but that “it is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day” (24:7). Jesus makes bold claims surrounding who He is and what He has achieved; that He is truly, physically alive and that there is forgiveness of sins through Him alone. Are you open to discovering Jesus today?
Scripture References: Luke 23:55-56, Luke 24:1-12, Psalms 16:1-11, Isaiah 53:7-12
Related Topics: Easter | More Messages from Dan Rowe | Download Audio
Bernard Gabbott
John 19:16-30, Isaiah 22:1-19, Isaiah 53:10-12
Over the next few weeks (in ‘Advent’, the period in the church calendar of ‘waiting’, as we prepare to remember the Incarnation), we will be looking at four Christmas carols. We are doing this for two reasons: first, to get in the bait of running all we do through the word of God; and, second, reminding ourselves of what we are remembering as we wait. Our first carol – ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ – deals with our ‘hopes and dreams’. It has its roots deep in the words of the prophet Micah, who had many hopes and dreams holed up in Jerusalem, with the wolf of Assyria surrounding the city. It has its answer in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, as God promised. And it has a warning, as the wise men turn up and the locals reveal that they know the truth of God’s answer to their ‘hopes and dreams’, but they just cannot be bothered.
As we finish Genesis, there are so many threads and ideas that are wrapped up – and so many hopes and trusts that are laid out. Here are a few of my observations… First, the book starts with blessing and promise – and it closes with blessing and promise. Second, the whole of the account relies on the God who promises, and the promises of God. Third, the book ends with the promise of God only being able to be fulfilled by the God who promises – will Joseph get back to the land? Will God come to take his people to be with him? Fourth, the ending of the book is corporate – there is so much about what we do today that is individual. Fifth, the truth that God works for the good of his desires for his people runs as a thread throughout God’s word – and it is both a description of his character and nature, and our inability. Sixth, the good news of Jesus is the culmination of all of these.
Death has a remarkably clarifying effect on life. At the moment of end, life is brought into focus, and the key truths – the things that matter – are sharpened. Jacob is at the end of his life. He has been reunited with Joseph. He has seen the promises of God fulfilled. The word of God has sustained him. As he approaches the end of life, what is sharply in his mind and action? The writer of the Hebrews describes Jacob’s clarity as ‘worship’ – as he dies, he gives God what He deserves – and that is the truth of the covenant and promises of God passed onto the next generation. As Jacob approaches death, the grace of God, the promise of God, the commitment of God – all these are sharpened in his actions, and passed onto the next generation. Put simply, Jacob passes on the good news of God, through grace and promise fulfilled. Are we doing the same?
13 Dewhurst St, Narrabri NSW 2390
Ph: (02) 6792 2151
Email: Click Here
8:30am & 10:30am each Sunday
9:00am each Sunday in January
Copyright © 2024 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in