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Gospel centred sermons, based on the lectionary often in advance.

Mar 11, 2012

Sorry about the poor audio quality this week.

Focus readings:

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Ephesians 2:1-10

John 3:14-21

In dark times like this it would be easy to get depressed and sink into despair. Thinking of the nation we might ask when will the recession end? When will the stock market recover its value? As individuals we can also face dark times. Perhaps someone close to us has died. Perhaps we are having difficulties in our relationships. Or maybe we are facing health or financial difficulties. The message of today's readings is that the dark times do come to an end. They say that we have a hope now for the future. And this hope is a free gift.

            Numbers and the John reading tell us that life will win out, even when death seems certain. To make sure of this God sent Jesus not only to die for us but to live for us and to give us his new life. That's the message of the Ephesians reading too. God does the incredible thing, of turning death into new life. Finally Psalm 117, not just today's reading, but the whole thing reassures us that all the sickness, storms, deserts, and prisons of our lives can be healed, made calm, made green, and broken open.

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Questions for thought or discussion

How easy is it to accept a favour? What can make it hard? How do you feel and react to a lavish free gift?

Will you accept the favour?? Can you accept the free gift??


Thamires
almost eleven years ago

This reminds me of a quote I read on a fuvtiroae blog, After dinner, we were sitting around in our den looking at our computers and phones, and checking to see if anyone had loved or noticed us in the last 2 hours. Kind of off topic, but thought you might appreciate it!I find myself living in that tension a lot having to constantly remind myself that whatever I do it must be done without an agenda, and for the glory of God. We are to be imitators of God, and let our let shine, but do it with humility. I have always struggled with wanting people to like me, and therefore felt I had to do things to get approval. Because of that, I have to constantly remind myself to keep my motives pure. Love this quote, Let every act of life be dictated by love to God and man. Clearly, I have not got this all figured out, but so thankful for all that God is teaching me. Hoping that during Lent, I will learn more about emptying myself and being filled up with Him. Thanks again for these posts!