Phil Firth - Sunday, 2 April 2023
Being disciples together
Scripture References: Matthew 18:1-14, Psalms 14:1-7, Philippians 2:1-8
Gathering Growing Going
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Close“I am the greatest”. You probably know who made that statement. In his usual understated way, Mohammed Ali made this claim in February 1964, before one of his fights with Sonny Liston for the Heavyweight Boxing title of the world. He seems to have been generally applauded for it. In Matthew’s Gospel today, the question that immediately draws our attention is similar to Ali’s. “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Is this a question that should be occupying the disciples? Most of us won’t be “great” in worldly terms. But many of us want to do something significant in this world. The disciples’ question gives Jesus the opportunity to remind the disciples (and us) about how to gain entry into His kingdom and to also teach His disciples about what is valued in His kingdom. Importantly, Jesus does not stop there. He goes on to talk about how the members of His kingdom are to relate to each other as they live as His disciples. If we are to be true members of His kingdom, true disciples, we need to listen and learn as our King speaks.
Scripture References: Matthew 18:1-14, Psalms 14:1-7, Philippians 2:1-8
Related Topics: Matthew | More Messages from Phil Firth | Download Audio
God’s people doubt his love, and so give him their ‘seconds’. And to begin, God reassures his people that he loves them—just look at their history! We can often assume the same about God—and God reminds us that he loves his people—just look at your history! There, on a hill, outside Jerusalem, is an empty cross… and nearby is an empty tomb… God loves his people! So, amidst all that seems hard and tough and wearing and broken, this fact stands: God loves his people, Jesus is not in the tomb or on the cross!
We live in an amazing world – sunsets of unimaginable colours, mountains with peaks dusted in snow, waves that roll and dump and foam in shades of blue and white, birdsong sweeter than Dame Nellie – and all point to the glory of God. But to know God, we need his words – and his words lead to life. In fact, his words bring not just life, but exposure – they reveal our sin, and our desperate need for forgiveness of those sins. Psalm 19 captures these truths for us, in a simple and profound way. And then we ask, ‘How does Jesus fulfil this poem?’ Jesus IS God’s word, the perfect revelation of God who confronts our sin, and saves us from our sins.
Where do children fit in God’s creation, and especially within His mob? Children bear the image of God. They are the fruit of the command of God to be ‘fruitful’. They are given the context of the family as the place for their birth, growth and maturing. Children, as humans, are sinful from conception. They desire to be God instead of God. Children are members of God’s people. They are spoken to in the commandments at Mt Sinai. They are spoken to as members of the church. They are welcomed by Jesus. They are saved by Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Children are a trust from God, to their parents, and the community of God. They are to be taught the good news of God’s love in Jesus, and the faithfulness of God to His people. This is primarily and principally in their families, and reinforced within the community of God’s people. Children are a blessing from God.
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