Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 31 October 2021
We can't buy Grace
Scripture References: Romans 1:16-17, Psalms 31:1-24, Romans 3:21-26
Gathering Growing Going
Loading Content...
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
CloseThe world of the Middle Ages (we are talking the 1400s-1500s) was a world gripped by fear and uncertainty. In the midst of this fear, the growing corruption and authoritarianism of the Church was questioned and people were looking for some security, some assurance. Does that sound familiar? Martin Luther, a monk in Germany, was gripped by the same fears as the wider world. Driven back to his Bible, through reading Psalm 31 and Romans 1:16-17 (amongst many other parts of the Bible), Luther was brought to know God as he is – revealed in Jesus. God was not capricious, violent or of unmitigated judgement. God was just and gracious and merciful. His righteousness was not his wrath to be appeased by deeds, but his salvation to be received by faith alone, through Christ alone, because of God’s grace alone, revealed in the Scriptures alone. Does that sound familiar?
Scripture References: Romans 1:16-17, Psalms 31:1-24, Romans 3:21-26
Related Topics: Grace | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Jesus is returning to Jerusalem for the second day. Jesus is hungry – he is human. Jesus sees fig tree – but, despite its leaves, it has no fruit. Jesus curses the fig tree. Jesus is God, taking on the divine role of pronouncing judgement. This brief episode is a living example of the judgement brought by the king of God’s people returning to his mob: they have become independent, insiders not aligned with the desire of God for the outsider. They are unfruitful, and they are judged. God’s mob, however, have true fruitfulness when they recognise the authority of the king, and completely and totally depend upon him. Such dependency will change the world, because of the one they depend upon!
Jesus has finally made it to Jerusalem. As Matthew prepares us for His entry into Jerusalem, he helps us confront Jesus’ authority, and the way in which it restores the concern of God for the outsider, and confronts the insider. This is the start of the Passover week. Jerusalem is a roiling maelstrom of religious and political fervour. And Matthew organises the narrative of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem around displays of His authority, rooted in recognition of His ‘old power’ – four Old Testament quotations structure the passage. As we come face-to-face with Jesus’ authority, three truths stand out. First, Jesus’ authority is extensive and all-encompassing. Second, Jesus’ authority is for the outsider, and rooted in God’s deep commitment to bring the outsider inside His kingdom. And, third, Jesus authority confronts the insider, and urges them to repentance. Come and meet Jesus, the King, in all His authority, as He enters Jerusalem!
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?
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