Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 7 August 2022
What good can come out of this?
Scripture References: Genesis 29:31-35, Genesis 30:1-24, Luke 1:46-55, Psalms 113:1-9
Gathering Growing Going
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CloseWhat a dysfunctional family! What a mess that human sin has left! What good can come out of such a mess? Now, as we read this section, please remember Genesis 28:15 - God is with Jacob until His promises are fulfilled. And one of those promises is that Jacob will have offspring as numerous as ‘the dust of the earth’ (28:14). One of those promises is that through Jacob’s kids, God will bless the world. SO, as we watch the LORD see, and intervene for, the unloved (both Leah and Rachel), we see the good that comes out of the disciplining disappointment of the Father with His people: a brood of twelve boys, and one girl, who will grow to be the twelve tribes of God’s mob!
Scripture References: Genesis 29:31-35, Genesis 30:1-24, Luke 1:46-55, Psalms 113:1-9
From Series: Service - Sunday Morning, Genesis | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Esther is such an exciting story! There are evil plots. There are interesting yet flawed characters. There is risk and sacrifice. There is heroism and villainy. Today, we are introduced to the villain of the plot, and what an evil scheming villain he is! He spins lies and concocts murderous plans to do away with the Jews, God’s covenant people. How will the people respond? Will he get away with his evil plan? Will God, who is not mentioned at all, intervene to protect His people, to live up to the promises He made to Abraham, the people at Mt Sinai, and to David?
There is so much that sounds familiar in these first two chapters of Esther: the world is dominated by loud and brash and imposing and degraded power, the people of God are small and struggling and faced with ambiguous decisions and actions and God seems so far away he is almost absent (at least to our minds and hearts). As we read this book, we will need God’s revelation to help us navigate its strangeness, its ambiguity, and its confrontational narrative. In this, we have the key to the book—the lack of God’s name in letters does not mean the lack of God’s presence.
He is risen! This morning we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The tomb is empty, the power of sin and death has been defeated. It is fitting that if Jesus’ last words were “it is finished” than His first words to His followers are “peace be with you”. But this is no ordinary greeting. The work of Jesus, His life, death, burial and resurrection is the grounds on which our relationship with God can be restored. The brokenness and rebellion that once plagued our lives has been dealt with. It’s no wonder that Jesus’ words are “peace be with you”. Jesus doesn’t give peace as the world does, nor does He promise a life free from trouble. But He does promise life to the full. God promises Shalom, complete wholeness in relationship with Himself through Jesus. That is something to celebrate!
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