Phil Firth - Sunday, 13 June 2021
Like Father, Like Son
Scripture References: Genesis 26:1-35, Isaiah 41:4-14, Romans 5:14-17
Gathering Growing Going
Loading Content...
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
CloseLike father, like son’ – you cannot avoid the phrase when you read the one chapter in the Bible devoted to Isaac and his life! The account is not chronological, but it is structured theologically – and the resemblance to the life of Abraham is obvious. The most obvious similarity is this: same LORD who chooses, sustains, commits, delivers, remains faithful, is consistent in grace and mercy – TICK! That truth inevitably leads to another ‘like father, like son’ resemblance, one in which the son is unlike his human father/ancestor and everything like his Father, and for our benefit and blessing!
Scripture References: Genesis 26:1-35, Isaiah 41:4-14, Romans 5:14-17
Related Topics: Genesis | More Messages from Phil Firth | Download Audio
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?
The Department of Home Affairs has an Australian Values Statement on its website. Visa applicants for residency/citizenship must sign this. And one of its key principles is that we are a ‘fair-go’ country. We would all agree with that. I suspect, too, that we would summarise our ‘fair go’ culture by stating that ‘you get what you deserve/what you work for’. In fact, many of us have established our relational, social and work ethics on this very principle. But is that what the ‘kingdom of heaven is like’? What is its value statement? What is the hallmark of such a kingdom, and its ruler, even its citizenship? Today, after Jesus has assured his disciples that the dependent will be provided for by their king, he now uses the same ideas to issue with them a warning not to abuse, misuse, ignore or become entitled in the face of the kingdom of heaven hallmark—which is grace.
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.
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