Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 31 December 2023
What Do I Need For The Year Ahead?
Scripture References: Proverbs 1:1-7, Psalms 49:1-20, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
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CloseThe end of the year, another one stretching out ahead. Resolutions are considered, the goodness of food and family at Christmas enjoyed, and there is time to sit and ponder and consider: What do I need for the year ahead? God issues an invitation to his mob—and the world at large—to come and gain ‘wisdom’ - the knowledge that helps you understand the world and what steps are need to navigate it. At the heart of wisdom is relationship—with God, through Jesus. And this wisdom is gained through relationship—through the words of God, cross-generationally, through households. And this wisdom is applied daily—in situations from daily life through to global politics. What do I need for the year ahead? I need wisdom!
Scripture References: Proverbs 1:1-7, Psalms 49:1-20, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Related Topics: Proverbs | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Jesus deals with the question of ‘Who belongs in the kingdom?’ Is it children? Is it the good? Is it the godly? And, how and what does this look like? This question of ‘belonging’ is one that is constant in our lives – where do I belong, do I belong, what does belonging look like? And Jesus is very clear: the kingdom of heaven is made up of the dependent, the reliant, the weak – just like children.
The book of Esther recounts a period where God's people are in exile, aliens in a foreign land. Sounds like our time doesn't it? Even when God seems absent, He is at work. The great reversal of power at the heart of the universe has already taken place. Jesus won victory over death on the cross and in His resurrection. Satan the great enemy of God and His people, has been defeated. We wait in the now but not yet. Waiting for the Lord Jesus to return and give His people relief and rest. But as we wait, we share the good news of the gospel, call people to faith in Jesus, faithfully endure persecution, knowing that our deliverance is assured.
We love a turning point. Whether it is a story or a football game. Hope dawning at the darkest time. Where is the great turning point in Esther? It could be our memory verse, when Esther is persuaded by Mordecai to act to save her people. It could be when the king looks with favour upon Esther and holds out the golden scepter to her. It could be when Haman is forced to lead Mordecai through the city mounted on the king’s horse and proclaims that he is the man the king delights to honour. They are major events in the story of Esther. They are turning points of a sort. But the writer of Esther points us to another event. That looks so trivial.
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