Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 11 July 2021
How can I have the Good Life?
Scripture References: Psalms 51:1-19, 2 Samuel 11:1-13, 2 Samuel 12:1-15
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CloseWe have the word of God here with a very clear historical backdrop: the events of 2 Samuel 11-12. And, as we read that account of avoidance of responsibility, of adultery and corruption and murder, we cannot help asking ourselves, ‘How can a man like that have the good life?’ And then we consider ourselves—either with a ‘big’ sin that dominates our lives, or besetting sin that runs our lives, or even just the realization that we are ‘normal sinners’. And we ask the same question: ‘How can a sinner like me have the good life?’ It was a question God’s people asked as they returned from Exile. It is a question we ask continually. Psalm 51 answers it: the sinner can have the good life by throwing themselves upon the character of God with a contrite and broken heart. The Bible calls such an action ‘repentance’: to return to God with the appropriate brokenness.
Scripture References: Psalms 51:1-19, 2 Samuel 11:1-13, 2 Samuel 12:1-15
From Series: Service - Sunday Morning, Psalm | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Richard Luckensmeyer
Psalms 10:1-18
There are a number of sayings that I love, but one that I really use – ‘Pink in the morning, sailor’s/shepherd’s warning; Pink at night, sailor’s/shepherd’s delight’. It was actually confirmed as a true saying for me the other day, as I listened to an interview with a meteorologist! Sayings like this that are memorable and true – well, they provide terrific summaries that help us navigate life. And it is no different for God’s mob. In fact, within even a matter of years of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection (and ascension), sayings were starting to be developed and used that summarised the essence of what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus, and part of God’s mob. Those sayings are no less significant today – and one of them, from a letter from a bloke called Paul to a young fella called Timothy, summarises what we are on about here at Narrabri Anglican Church: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners’.
You eventually have to make a decision about the Gospel – in fact, the Gospel demands a decision. The slow build of the first five boxes of ‘Learn the Gospel’ has brought us to this binary moment. On the one hand, you can persist in the attitude and action that says, ‘I am God and God is not’, and the consequence is facing the judgement of God – the judgement of death – on your own merits. On the other hand, you can turn to Jesus (‘repent’), trust in what He has done (His life, death and resurrection) and submit to His right rule, and receive restoration with God, forgiveness of sins, and a completely new life. You eventually have to make a decision about the Gospel.
The resurrection of Jesus was not just another miracle of God but the definitive victory over sin and death! Yes, His death on the cross paid our debt of sin but His resurrection showed Him to be righteous, without fault and blameless before God, and highlighted His identity as truly God. The God-man who could restore our relationship with God. As such, Jesus is the ruler and judge over all the world, and to whom all will give an account. Jesus’s resurrection is the guarantee that those who place their faith in Him have present forgiveness of sins and are justified before God. We can be sure of the living hope that, as Jesus rose, so we too will rise to resurrected life and enjoy eternity with our Lord and Saviour together!
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