26. The faith that Obeys Romans 15.14 - 16.27
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Romans 2011-13
{podcast id=286}
The faith that Obeys Romans 15.14 - 16.27
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 24 November 2013
Bible Readings: Isaiah 66.19-24; Matthew 28.16-20
Two things about Paul and three things about the Romans that we should note
Christ the King? 24 Nov 13
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
Christ the King?
When Jesus sends out his disciples on one of their practice runs, he gives thanks for what has happened on their mission. He prays to his Father, Lord of heaven and earth (Luke 10.21). After his resurrection, when he again sends out his disciples - this time for the real mission - he tells them that he has been given all authority in heaven and earth (Matt 28.18).
What will he do with that authority? He calls the nations to believe and obey him. He tells his disciples to go to the nations and make them disciples too. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you, he says.
Paul became a disciple a bit later. He too was sent to the nations. He understood that his task was to proclaim God’s great message. A message that concerned his Son, Jesus Christ the Lord (Rom 1.1). He was sent to bring about the obedience that results when people believe that Jesus is the Lord.
Paul thought that this was an important idea. He begins and ends his letter to the Christians at Rome with the same phrase, “the obedience of faith”.
Notes on Luke 23.33-43 November 24
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Notes on the Gospel readings from Luke
Notes on Luke 23.33-43 November 24
We have read a lot about the kingdom of God in Luke’s gospel. We have heard Peter declare that Jesus is the Christ, the King. As Jesus approached Jerusalem, the tension increased. So did the opposition to Jesus. Now, at last, Jesus, whom many thought was God’s king, is being executed.
Luke tells the story so that we understand that this is a story about the King. At least six times the story refers to the King or to the Messiah (which refers to the same person).
The rulers, the soldiers and one of the criminals all sneer at him. Even the charge against him, which is written above him, is a kind of mockery.
But one of the criminals thinks there is more to Jesus than what most people can see. He still holds out hope that Jesus will become a king. He wants Jesus to remember him. And Jesus makes a promise to him.
25. Accept one another Romans 14.1 - 15.13
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Romans 2011-13
{podcast id=276}
Accept one another Romans 14.1 - 15.13
What kind of issues are not to trouble the fellowship, How the believers are to act toward one another, and Why they should act that way.
A resurrection people 17 Nov 13
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
A resurrection people
“A resurrection people” was one of the phrases we heard last week from the Archbishop. The text he gave the young people being confirmed was Luke 20.38, “He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for to him all are alive.”
This week we have a similar idea, one which many of us can recall from the Prayer Book funeral service. “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Rom 14.8). It reminds me of the text given at my Confirmation from Philippians 1.21 “For to me, to live is Christ …”.
I think they left out the next part of the verse when I was confirmed “… and to die is gain.” Perhaps dying was not thought a great motivator for a bunch of 14 year olds.
But dying has different meanings.
Notes on Luke 21.5-19 November 17
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Notes on the Gospel readings from Luke
Notes on Luke 21.5-19 November 17
Jesus has finally reached Jerusalem. In this last week before he is killed he spends a lot of time in the temple.
The temple was rebuilt after the exile in Babylon under the leadership of Haggai and Zechariah. The first temple was built by Solomon and was very good. When the Babylonians captured Jerusalem they destroyed the temple. When temple that was rebuilt after the exile in Babylon it was not so good. However much later Herod the Great had made many improvements to it. People were impressed by how good it looked.
Some of the disciples were also impressed by it (21.5). But Jesus said it would be destroyed again (21.6). [In fact the Romans destroyed it in AD 70.]
The disciples want to know when this will happen.
But Jesus doesn’t tell them.
Freely 10 Nov 13
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
Freely
Next week we will launch our Annual Anglicare Appeal. In past years we have asked people to contribute food and various kinds of Christmas fare and presents. This year Anglicare has decided not to provide Christmas hampers. Instead they will provide needy people with finance so that they can buy what will be most suitable for their family.
So next week we will hand out special envelopes which we ask you to return by December 1. The envelopes are especially designed for paper money.
At this time of year there are many appeals for help. Or perhaps another way of describing it is that many organisations are providing us with opportunities to share our wealth with others at Christmas. The Bible Society, TEAR Fund, Barnabas Fund, CMS, ABM, various Anglican Overseas Relief funds will all help us share.
But is this a good idea?