PreachingInPyjamas

For today’s message, God showed me, I needed to put my Sherlock Holmes detective cap on to discover; that instead of looking through our modern eyes at the first seal of the white horse and it’s rider; that we need to discover how the original audience understood the context of what God was telling them through the white horse and it’s rider. And yet, the warning in this first scroll is also just as relevant for Christians today and into the future. And hopefully you can keep up with the jumping back and forwards through your Bible. If not, read the passages later with the eyes of the original audience and see what a difference it makes to your understanding of the riders of the white horse..

Today we are exploring Revelation Chapter 5’s exciting vision through the eyes of the original audience. And discovering how both the Old Testament and New Testament Scripture readings help give us a bigger and better picture of what we Christians should know what John learnt about our God and His Son Jesus. And you need to know that as we will be frequently switching from Revelation 5 to other Bible verses, you may want to have your bible open in front of you to help you keep up with who is speaking or doing what at the time.

G’day! So good to see you! Now after an incredible 3 weeks revealing some of the weird stuff God had Ezekiel do to catch the Israelites attention. It was kinda funny to now be looking at a book that is certified weird by a lot of people. Aah; but before we go into the sermon just a couple things we need to know to help us understand the message in the book of Revelation. Firstly, the Hebrew word for Revelation means to “uncover something that was hidden” and the Greek word for “revelation” is ἀποκάλυψις (apokalupsis). Which is where the English word describing the ominous catastrophes or disasters at the end of time comes from. But in Greek, It simply means “to reveal something that was hidden.” So Jesus is revealing to John hidden mysteries about God and Himself, and even things the church thought was hidden from prying eyes (but that part is not in today’s message). And it resembles a word that describes God’s people in exile or living away from God’s land which was God uncovering or revealing His judgement to His rebellious people. Secondly, despite it appearing at the beginning where Jesus gives his performance review of 7 churches; that they are the only churches with their particular issues! Seven being the number of completeness, therefore Revelation is a message to the whole church worldwide now and into the future! And thirdly, After spending just that short time in Ezekiel and now reading Revelation chapter 4 I had it confirmed yet again just how much the Old and New Testaments match up! Truly the bible is amazing! For as I read Revelation’s chapter 4 I recognised the vision! Sure it’s not word for word the same! Which means it’s not plagiarised from Ezekiel! And if you have experienced a vision you will understand that it is like watching a movie except that you are actively involved in the movie, and yet you do not know the script and so are not in control or fully understanding what is happening! And the vision is highly personal for you! What we have in Revelation is John giving an account from his perspective as he too witnessed the vision Ezekiel saw! But John also sees this new updated version of the vision! Remember Ezekiel was well and truly before Jesus’ time! Jesus couldn’t be in Ezekiel’s vision! Whereas, John had been with Jesus right from the start of His ministry! And John had seen the risen Jesus! John thought he knew Jesus very well! The vision shows !!! but wait there is far more to know about the resurrected Jesus than what he had already witnessed! And today we modern people are so blessed for we can compare the two visions and get a bigger and better picture than by just looking at only Ezekiel’s vision of what an incredible God it is that we worship!

Doesn't it give you goosebumps reading about God in the Dry Bones vision giving Ezekiel the privilege to have the same authority as God in speaking the one special missing ingredient needed to bring a lifeless faith to a life. And how this isn't a one off case, as Jesus gave us modern Christians the same awesome privilege.

G’day! Today we keep our ‘detective hats’ on as we take a broad sweep across Ezekiel from 3:16 & selected verses up to chapter 36. And as we briefly explore what God says in these chapters, keep in the back of your minds Ezekiel’s vision in chapter 1 underscores and is the backdrop to everything God says and Ezekiel’s obedience. Secondly, to give you confidence to know when it is God speaking. All throughout Ezekiel you have specific statements to Ezekiel like: The word of the Lord came to me For the Lord has said to me For the Lord has told me the Lord said to me this message came to me from the Lord Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord And often “The word of the came to me (Ezekiel) was quickly followed by one of God’s opening statements to His people: this is what the Sovereign Lord says Declares the Sovereign Lord this is what the Lord says Say to them Or God affirming statements: I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken, And everything is about helping God’s people know how to be His people and to know that I am the Lord your God.

G’day! I have always loved Ezekiel. And after looking in depth into Ezekiel I have a profound admiration for the guy, as he discovers that his ideas about God need adjusting as he learns just how big his God really is and so; he does a 360 in his thinking about his God. Even though God doesn't give Ezekiel any false illusions about how good it will be. Instead, God is very blunt and to the point with his analogy of just how bad things will be when Ezekiel gives the Israelites God's message.

Paul in Colossians chapters 3 and 4 continues encouraging the Colossian Christians, and by extension us modern Christians by giving practical advice on what not to do and what is important for Christians to do as they image Jesus and their Creator God. To wrestle in prayer, as you pray proactive and preventative prayers to help other Christians grow in their faith. So that Christians will be united in spreading the valuable treasure contained in the Gospel Message.

G’day, Today we are in the New Testament looking at Paul’s encouraging letter to the Colossian Christians. As he reminds them of how why they believed in Jesus. And how far they have come from their previous selfish lives, since they started living to image Christ.

G’day, Today we look at King David’s cleverly written acrostic psalm to describe how he dealt with his shame over a majorly bad decision he made. Which gives people a way out of the embarrassment of our shameful actions or words.

When I was excitedly explaining to my non-Christian friend, how cool James’ letter is with each chapter having a different approach to convey its message. My friend pointed out that this was the way lawyers conducted their brief in a courtroom. And when you look at it – this is what James has done! He has shown them that they are guilty of not asking God for wisdom and so they are guilty of not carrying out the works of faith by imaging Jesus and God in these main areas. But unlike a prosecuting lawyer James after explaining where they have failed to image Jesus, James has then shown grace by giving them examples of how they can do better in their works of faith. And now he wraps up his brief by pointing out a couple of the main points of contention and finishes not with condemnation but with a beautiful acclamation of the grace we have received.

Today, we continue looking at James’ cleverly written book. And in chapter 4, we find James expanding upon what has been said in the previous three chapters. And so most of the time I will be allowing the relevant bible verses do the talking. So if you’re like me and your memory isn’t as good as James’ readers, you may want to do a refresher on the past 3 chapters later on!

G’day, in Chapter 1 we saw James giving circular reasoning to help the new Christians know that they need to seek and ask for God’s wisdom in His Word, about what works God considers important for them to show their faith is genuine. And naturally, God will give this wisdom generously to all who ask without finding fault. How by using this wisdom from God, you will receive the Crown of Life. Which led nicely into Chapter 2 where James gives two similar parallel scenarios highlighting simple ways they are not using God’s wisdom and therefore failing to do faith works that please God. And now in Chapter 3 James targets a specific group of Christians using ever increasing intensity in analogies to hammer home his point of another vitally important area where their ‘works’ are not up to scratch. And so they need to seek God’s wisdom.

G’day, today we look at James 2:1–26. And while James is not testing his readers brains with his circular points like in chapter 1. James is again helping them to see that faith in Jesus is a bigger and better extension to the faith they already have in God. As he writes in a way that helps remind the Jewish Christians of what God has said that is important to Him in their Scripture. And how Jesus has reinforced what God said! And so James gives Christians a couple of ideas about how they can show their faith is genuine. And a couple of faith examples from two people whose faith they hold in high esteem, to answer their misunderstanding that some can have faith, and others have works; by proving his statement; “show me your faith without works and I will show you faith from my works,’ is a true genuine faith!

G’day, A quick bit of background, to help give some extra depth to the letter. Now it is possible you don’t know who James is. Well actually no-one is 100% positive; as there are three James’ mentioned in the New Testament, who could be the author. But, as the author doesn’t call himself an Apostle (and Acts 12:1 tells us the Apostle James (son of Zebedee) was murdered by King Herod about 6 years before the earliest date given to the letter) that rules him out. The other disciple named James is the son of Alphaeus. He is barely mentioned, and therefore it is safe to assume that he would distinguish himself from the well known James, son of Zebedee, by clarifying that he was the son of Alphaeus. Which leaves James, the brother of Jesus, whom we first hear about in Matthew 13:35; who after disbelieving that Jesus was who he said he was. (And let’s not blame him. Sure Jesus was the nerdy, goody two shoes older brother! Always talking about God! But the Son of God! C’mon pull the other one)! But eventually, the undeniable evidence that Jesus was the Messiah, convinced James, and he became more than just a follower of Jesus. For the Apostle Paul mentions in Galatians 1:19 that he saw the Lord’s brother James, who was one of the top guys in the church in Jerusalem. And when you look at this letter (in particular the first chapter) you get glimpses of someone who struggled to believe the truth that Jesus wasn’t an ordinary person; but the son of God. And wants other people to avoid the long hard struggle he faced, by setting out what and how faith in Jesus will look like, so they don’t give up and walk away from Jesus! Like he had! And all of this adds up to make James the brother of Jesus, the prime candidate to be the author of this letter.

Short and sweet message today, as we finish up with Philippians 4:12–19. And as I thought that the bible verses were fairly self explanatory, and easy to understand, therefore, most of the time, I let the bible readings speak for themselves. Personally this whole letter of Philippians has been brilliant. And this last message was no different in the awesome learning from Paul’s personal experiences and example of how to look at things differently.

Now just in case You haven’t! Had a chance to! Look at last week’s message! A quick catch up! To help you! Understand what we covered! That gives context! Leading into today’s message! ... We learnt that the Apostle Paul considers it vital for Christians to! ‘Stand Firm in the Lord!’ For IF? You can’t “Stand Firm in the Lord”? Then the rest of the Important! ‘In the Lord’ actions! Won’t happen! And Paul had! This simple easy solution to! Help our fellow Christian’s! ‘Stand Firm in the Lord!’ Which is! To boast about! Each other’s Christian faith! And then Paul showed Christians! How we need to! ‘Agree in the Lord!’ By discerning! Whether what we are squabbling over! Is going to add value! To the gospel message! So we can all! Be pure and blameless! On that day! When Christ returns! ... (And I don’t know how many times! Since last week! I have had to ask myself! Whether! What I’m getting annoyed over! Is Adding value! To the gospel message! Will it matter? When Christ returns? (Or! As is even more likely! That I go home! To meet Jesus)! And coming to the conclusion! Nope! This is not helping! Me be! Pure and blameless! So did last week’s message? Help you? As much as it did me? Today we will be exploring Paul’s varied context’s to why you will rejoice and what that looks like. And look at a verse of Paul’s that appears to contradict Philippians 4:4’s Always Rejoice statement! And then how verse 5’s request for Christians to be gentle; has a far deeper meaning; which speaks back into the way your rejoicing should be carried out at times. And we will lightly touch on something that I am assuming you are already doing to help you ‘Stand firm in the Lord’ so you can rejoice and show God’s grace in your rejoicing with Prayer.

If you really want to know how to keep growing in your faith, then the Apostle Paul’s short letter to the Philippian Christians is for you. As he focuses on how a Christian needs to know, what it means to be, ‘In the Lord,’ to grow their faith. Paul gives eight great examples of being in the Lord.’ And as there is heaps to cover, I’m not going to try to cram them all into one sermon. And fail to do them justice. Therefore, this message will continue over the next couple of weeks to help us modern Christians get the same important understanding as the Philippians did! And as there is a lot of too and throwing across the whole book of Philippians; you may struggle to keep up as we constantly go backwards and forwards, so I highly recommend that you do read the chapter either before watching or afterwards to double check the context for yourselves. My apologies in advance, for at times, I have switched to use the singular he or him, because biblically it is referring to a male. And also, because it became incredibly unwieldy and awkward using the plural forms for a single person, and then talking about they as a group of people. I got lost trying to work out who it was I talking about.

We are exploring Isaiah 61’s Anointed One and Jesus in Luke 4:18-29 and how Isaiah's and Jesus' audience's understood these verses and what the main point the Anointed One in the Isaiah prophecy made that blew their minds.

Today we are going back to Isaiah 58, where God has His sarcasm hat on! And His people don’t get it! They think what they are doing is good enough to please God. God says differently. And the poetry in the prophecy certainly knows how to hit the right emotion buttons. Are we Christians of today, like the original audience or have we got the picture God wanted them to understand?

I reckon it’s awesome that you are brave enough to join in so you can discover what else you can learn about this distressing topic. And the actual question that I was asked was, “What about Slavery?” And I daresay you are smart enough to work out that at times there will be some pretty distressing content discussed! Honestly, if you need to cry; go ahead! That is the beauty of watching a sermon online, you can pause the message while you take time to process your emotions! And there is no shame in crying over this subject. Now this generic question floored me because without any context this is a really hard question to answer to the person’s satisfaction. I prefer questions giving at least a basic qualifying statement, that explains why they are asking the question! As that helps me answer the actual question they have. But no go! It was from Mr or Miss ‘Anonymous.’ Now I don’t know about you, but my first reaction was; ‘Why? Seriously, is this question even relevant to us living in Australia? Slavery was America’s problem. Slavery is in the past. Fair dinkum! Slavery has been banned; forever! Yes, it is important that we deal with the historical ramifications, which are still being felt in our modern world! But I felt that as an Australian, slavery is something I am not personally qualified to speak on! I had planned on putting it into the too hard basket; but God had other ideas and clearly said, ‘You have been asked the question, therefore you answer it!’ And so I have, hopefully answered it to Anonymous’ satisfaction, and maybe yours!

Todays reading from Isaiah 64 has this interesting dialogue, where God’s people are not happy with the way God is acting and finishes with a few verses in chapter 65 giving God’s response to their attitude that should be acting in the way the expect him to. And it was only 2 days later that after asking God for something for my daughter in a certain time frame, God went remember the ending of this sermon, as He did answered my prayers in His timing!

Today’s message looks at Ezekiel 34:1–31 where God is not happy with the poor performance from His ‘shepherds’ of Israel and contrasts their actions to His. And then takes it a step further to inform them He will give them a good shepherd. And we know who the good shepherd is. But have you thought about how the original audience saw fulfillment of some of Ezekiel’s prophecy in their time? And what about the prophecies that haven’t come true yet? And what does it all mean for us modern Christians?

If you are squeamish, this message may not be for you! This message is from Judges 4 & 5’s two different genres, the factual prose narrative & the poetical vivid accounts which combined gives a more complete picture of a vile, wicked and immoral man’s gruesome death at the hands of a woman, than if you read either chapter on its own. And I wonder if like me, you may bizarrely find a popular nursery rhyme, from when I was young, that could be alluding to an event in the narrative.

Looking at Psalms 42 & 43 which are technically one sermon, and how the psalmist has this burning ‘why question’ and how he found the answer.

Today we look at Moses’ Psalm 90 as he tackles the elephant in the room – a subject most people want to avoid. Death.