Pastor’s Message

I would like to start by thanking everyone who made it to our call to prayer gathering this last Sunday. Thank you to those who were unable to make it and prayed at home, sent through a scripture, and supported in all the ways possible. I recognise how difficult it is to juggle everything, so thank you for all the support and prayer.

This week, we complete our reflection on the temptations of Jesus by looking at the third temptation. This is the pinnacle. It is set in the place where God received all the glory, the top of the temple. While the other two temptations were private, even personal, i.e., if Jesus had succumbed, no one would have known, this last one is as public as they come. Satan again does the insidious thing and tempts Jesus using scripture.

The devil was quoting from the Psalms, specifically 91:11-12. What strikes me the most is that he knew the scriptures.

What a beautiful opportunity for Jesus. It would be the best stunt to start his ministry journey. The temple was the highest point in Jerusalem, so everyone would be able to see, and those that missed it would hear of it. Word would spread; people would come flocking to Jesus. He did not even need to leave the city. It would be beautiful and efficient and was mind-blowing. Everyone would believe. Time would be saved. Jesus didn’t have to explain himself, do any more miracles or even have any disciples. He could pick and choose; the world was at his feet.

However, Jesus understood his assignment, and thankfully, he understood scripture more than the devil himself. Again, he quotes part of Deuteronomy.

In Deuteronomy, the Israelites were finally in a favourable place. Settled and thriving. God warns them not to follow their own way, because it would be detrimental not only to them but also to the next generation. They were having too good a time to care about consequences; hence, they did not listen. Their lack of obedience would come back to haunt them over the years. 

In Jesus’ response to this temptation, we see him as the perfect replacement and fulfilment of the law. He came to fulfil what the Israelites could not. If he had succumbed to the devil’s misuse of scripture, he would have been the object of fascination, not the saviour of souls. He would have been doing things his way, not God's way. He would have been an extension of Israel's doomed generation.

But Jesus understood his calling. What was at stake were souls, yours and mine, and many others who needed saving, not just a show. He chose the difficult path in order to bring life to the fullest.

Jesus then turns around to us and tells us to follow him. Not for show, but for the purpose of saving souls and finding life and finding it to the fullest, as he said in John.

Mato.

This last Sunday, Tim led us through the second part of Ephesians 3. One area of focus was on the description of God’s love, which Tim expounded very well.

How wide is the love of God?
Isaiah 1:18 says, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.' God, through Isaiah, is saying, 'Even if you’ve killed somebody, even if you have blood on your hands, you can be forgiven.’ It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done. You could be a murderer. If Jesus died on the cross so you’re saved by grace alone, then God’s love is infinitely wide. It’s wide enough for you. Even though your sins are like scarlet, God’s love can reach you, not in a general way but because of the gospel of Jesus. 

How long is the love of God? 
In Philippians 1:6 Paul writes to Christians in Philippi saying, ‘I am convinced that the One who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.’ Not may, but will.
God’s love is infinitely long. How long? In Revelation we’re told that in Jesus God loved us since before the world even started. God put his love on you before time even existed, and he will never stop loving you. Why? Because salvation is all by grace. It’s not by works; it’s not about what you do, it’s about grace. God’s love is infinitely long.

How high is the love of God? 
In John 17, Jesus says about us ‘Father, I want them to have the glory that we had before the creation of the world.’ And in 1 John 3:2 it says, ‘Beloved, we do not know what we will be like, but we know we will be like him.’
That’s the height of God’s love. He’s going to give the same thing that fills his heart with infallible joy from all eternity. He’s going to show us his glory, and he’s going to give that glory to us. Can you think of anything higher than that? 

How deep is the love of God? 
We’ve already sung ‘How deep the father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure. That he would give his only Son to make a wretch his treasure.' That’s spot on.
On the cross, as he died, Jesus cried out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ This is the depths of the love of God. Jesus was thrown into the deepest pit anyone has ever gone into, and he went in voluntarily. The huge cost of the gospel is paid for by God. 

This term, our beautiful children have started learning the “I AMs". There are seven of them. Take a pause and see if you can name at least 5. I will give you the first two. This past week was “I am the bread of life”. The activity was making scones, and we are thankful to all of them because morning tea was brilliant.

This week we are working on I am the light... We will have light circuits for the older ones (mighty oaks) working on science and electronics. Candle making for the younger ones (strong branches) and holders and understanding light for our little sprout. 

Now you know two I AMs.

I am the light of the world, and I am the bread of life. 

Challenge yourself to learn the other five. There may be more scones for you if you do!!

Youth ministry 

This last week, we concluded our series from last term on mental health and scripture. We considered the importance and the difference between self-esteem (what we know), self-confidence (what we feel) and self-worth. (who we know). Our self-worth comes from knowing and believing who Jesus is and what he thinks about us. Any other scheme we try to find self-worth from fails, because it will sell us a story that is not true. Some of the ways to grow our self-worth are the following:

• Watch how you talk to yourself

• Tell yourself the truth of scripture

• Be willing to be vulnerable

• Stop making decisions based on fear

• Be willing to try and fail (courage)

• Having set that as a 

Building on from that, we are studying the book of Philippians together this term.

The church in Philippi was the first Jesus community that Paul started in Eastern Europe. Read the full story in Acts 16. Philippi was a Roman colony in ancient Macedonia full of retired soldiers. It was well-known for its patriotic nationalism. Paul faced resistance there for announcing Jesus as the true King of the world. After Paul had left the city, those who became followers of Jesus continued to suffer persecution, but they remained a vibrant community, faithful to the way of Jesus.

Paul sent this letter to them during one of his many imprisonments for a very practical reason. The Philippians had sent one of their members, Epaphroditus, to take a financial gift to Paul and to support him in prison. Paul sent this letter back with Epaphroditus to say thanks for the generous gift and address the community.

We welcome everyone to our midwinter Christmas dinner. This is an opportunity for us to catch up over good food and a very exciting and engaging quiz. We start early to give the young families an opportunity to join us and enjoy both the food and the company.

The event will be at Beckenham Baptist; please register here.

Giving

Halswell Community Church

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