Not in Vain Ecclesiastes Part 2
- Written by: Administrator
- Category: Ecclesiastes
{podcast id=30}
Not in Vain Ecclesiastes Part 2
Sermon preached at Christ the King on 5 October 2014
Is wisdom a help to a better life? Does the New Testament change the picture of the frustrated life? What is the answer to the meaninglessness caused by death?
Not in Vain 5 Oct 14
- Written by: Administrator
- Category: Weekly Reflections
Not in Vain
I have been reading a biography of JS Bach by John Elliott Gardiner. In it he points out that Bach begins his famous St John Passion with a chorus based on Psalm 8. As the prelude to the great story of our Lord's suffering and death, Bach begins with a celebration of the majesty and power of God. “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
Was Bach confused? Or did he understand John's gospel? The latter, I think, since John has a big theme of Jesus being glorified in his death. The death and resurrection of Jesus show him to be the Lord of all. The one who drives out the ruler of the world, and the one who overcomes the power of death.
It is his majestic power, shown in the cross and in the resurrection, that gives the lie to the futility of human life and effort. At least for those whose life and effort is part of the life and effort of Jesus himself.
What to do in a Meaningless World Ecclesiastes Part 1
- Written by: Administrator
- Category: Ecclesiastes
{podcast id=29}
What to do in a Meaningless World Ecclesiastes Part 1
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 28 September 2014
What the Teacher found out. What the teacher concluded.
Chasing the wind? 28 Sep14
- Written by: Administrator
- Category: Weekly Reflections
Chasing the wind?
The “Teacher” (of Ecclesiastes) thinks that life is meaningless and futile, and a chasing after the wind. I wonder what he would think about the life of the church.
Sometimes it can seem a bit like that. Is there anything to be gained by coming to church each Sunday, listening to sermons, praying and taking part in the Communion? Does it get us anywhere? Is it useful? Does it give meaning to life?
We have all asked questions like that I suppose. They could be the questions of the cynic, or the disillusioned, or the discouraged. Of course the questions aren't all of the same kind. “Is it useful?” Is a modern kind of question. Not everything we value is useful. Somethings are just good. Or beautiful.
God's Farm 21 Sep14
- Written by: Administrator
- Category: Weekly Reflections
God's Farm
Over the last month or so we have been deluged with lemons. It seems Willetton has good lemon tree soil. At least the season seems to have been good. There is nothing like a fruit tree that gives lots of good fruit. And nothing easier than picking fruit that virtually falls off the tree.
But not all food is gained so easily. Most of what we eat is produced by hard work – even with the help of modern machinery. Of course the work has to be put in at the right time. In the past many crops were only harvested once a year. Nowadays many of our foods have been modified so that they produce more often.
Sometimes it seems that our spiritual harvest is still in the very old days. Not too much and not too often. Jesus told his disciples a couple of times that they should look more closely at the harvest because it was already ready.
Choose Life Deuteronomy 27-34
- Written by: Administrator
- Category: Deuteronomy
{podcast id=28}
Choose Life Deuteronomy 27-34
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 7 September 2014
As they enter the land (and as we continue to serve Jesus), What do they need to do? What do they need to know? And what are the three big implications?
Good Fathers 7 Sep 14
- Written by: Administrator
- Category: Weekly Reflections
Good Fathers
What are a couple of good things you remember your father doing with you or for you? For most of us we won't be able to stop at a couple of things. Memories will provoke other memories, some as recent as this week (if our father is still alive) some as long ago as we can remember.
Fathers are all different. And each is different at different stages of his life. But good fathers have some things in common.
You can rely on them. They are kind of stable and strong on the inside. They seem to weather the assaults of teenagers that know too much, and the boisterousness of boys who have too much energy, and even the peculiarities of daughters.