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Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd VI (Psalm 23:4 & 2 Cor 4:16-5:10) – The valleys of life

“Even though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death”.

Psalm 23:4a

This week Psalm 23 takes a much darker turn. Life is not plain sailing, and Christians aren’t exempt from life’s troubles. This psalm was written by David in one of his darkest hours. What guidance can we draw from the Good Shepherd to get through?

Our passages:  2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10 & Psalm 23:4. Preacher: Ian Bayne (17th May 2020).

Watch the sermon

Sermon starts at -37:50

Recap

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

Verses 1-3 speak of a time of plenty. The Bible says that God will look after us as a good shepherd looks after their sheep.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 ESV

He’s given us food both physical and spiritual, through his Word.

He’s given us water which represents his cleansing: flowing out of Jesus Christ. This reminds us of the Holy Spirit poured out on us (John 7:37-39).

He’s given us rest in that our salvation not dependent on our works. In other words we don’t need to do some task in order to be saved. Salvation is done already by Jesus’s sacrifice. It is finished.

As a consequence, He’s given us regeneration: restoring us from a catastrophe in our lives: sin. We keep needing forgiveness and guidance every day of our lives. He has called us, he leads us, and he drives us onwards.

Explanation

We come now to verse 4 where the psalm takes a darker turn.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 ESV

Today we’ll look at the first part of this verse. What are these valleys, and what do we need to know about them?

We can observe 4 things about spiritual valleys:

1) The valleys of life often follow blissful times.

Notice how quickly the tone of the psalm changes.

We go from the times of being full (or being more satisfied with our life) into another phase of life which is not so good. Both being in good times and bad can make us forget what happened before. The only constant we can expect is change.

2) Valleys of life come in various shapes and sizes.

The best word that can describe what we often experience is vicissitude: an unwelcome change of circumstance.

These can be natural: things that are beyond our control. This might be nature, other people’s sin, or simply a result of fallen society.

There are also manufactured vicissitudes: ones of our own making because we’re not as holy as we should be.

Valleys can be short, long, deep or shallow.

3) The valleys of life tend to obscure our picture of life.

When we are in a valley it’s hard to see outside of it. We need to be careful of this distortion when making decisions and assessing what to do.

4) The valleys of life are part of the paths of righteousness even for believers

It can be conforting to know that troubles are expected, even if we do everything right, because of natural vicissitudes. There’s no escape clause for God’s sheep. We will go through valleys as God’s sheep, with God.

There are numerous examples throughout the Bible of God’s people who are commended but suffer greatly:

  • Righteous Abel is killed by unrighteous Cain (Gen 4)
  • Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen 22)
  • Jezabel kills Naboth to steal his vineyard (1 Kings 21)
  • Job, a righteous man, loses everything (Job 1)
  • David, the author of the psalm, is possibly writing this psalm when Absalom, his own son, is trying to overthrow him (2 Sam 15)

Application

What can we learn about the valleys? How can we be encouraged as God’s sheep when we discover the purpose of what we go through?

We can say that trials and difficult times:

1) Foster and nurture humility

As a sheep farmer, I built up a large flock of sheep: with thousands of sheep. One year things were going so well. The sheep were fat, having eaten lots of lush grass and there were lots of twins and triplets on the way. The sheep began giving birth. On day 12 of the birthing season there were 100-200 lambs being born in perfect weather.

But over a period of just one hour, the wind changed and a cold southerly came up from the Antarctic. Within 30 minutes 500-1000 lambs lost their lives.

It was the sudden contrast of temperature that killed them. The great drop in temperature. In 20 minutes one of the best years I had turned into one of the worst.

The result was that I was humbled. I thought that by growing my business big I would be successful.

God loves us to be humble. Humility means we have a true view of our abilities.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3 ESV

2) The valleys bring more faith and trust in the shepherd

We like to think we are in control, but at any moment God can turn things upside down. We are time takers, not time makers. Knowing that many events are out of our control, and in God’s sovereign control increases our faith in Him.

3) The valleys help us to appreciate our weakness and dependence on the shepherd.

The apostle Paul is perhaps one of the finest examples of a Christan. He battled with a persistent “thorn” that troubled him.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

We don’t know exactly what this thorn is. It kept him from exalting himself. Paul says that the thorn kept him humble.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV

4) the valleys help God’s sheep be world defying as well as to be eternally aspiring

We have to be careful of meaning here: we are not world-denying. We are not taught to deny our temporal existence in the world. Yet, we defy the world because when the world is not as it ought to be we still trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The world thinks this is absurd.

We should aspire to the eternal: our eternal future with God when we leave this body behind and enter into the presence of Christ. This is what we need to fix ourselves on.

But there’s a balance. We are not told to bury or heads in the sand; becoming super spiritual and ignoring the world. We can also go the other way and become materialistic and too focused on our world.

Striking the balance

In our passage Paul makes some good comparisons between these two which can be helpful to get the balance rightL

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. [17] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV

Our bodies are decaying, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day; our troubles are light compared to eternal life. Everyone listening today will die: our earth’s tents will be torn down. We will be clothed in immortality.

For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,

2 Corinthians 5:2 ESV

The Holy Spirit is described as a pledge or a deposit given to us while we live in this world. We are present in this body, but there will come a day when we will be home with the Lord.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

Paul sums up the balance in the following passage:

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

The difficult times help us focus on what’s important, and to put life in perspective.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.



Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd V (Psalm 23:3 & 1 John 3:16-24) – For His name’s sake

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3 ESV

Why does the Lord help us? What is His purpose? This week we’ll look at the importance of “His name’s sake” and the purpose we can aspire to in good times, and times of trouble.

Our passages:  1 John 3:16-24 & Psalm 23:3. Preacher: Ian Bayne (10th May 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Recap

In our series so far, we’ve seen how The Lord, our shepherd, is a qualified guide because: he knows his sheep, he’s experienced all his sheep have experienced, and he knows the correct path his sheep should follow.

He takes an interest in us and actively manages us. He calls us, he leads us and he even drives us.

Hazards we face in our lives may be:

  • internal because of the sinful nature in us
  • intrinsic because of the times we live in and out culture
  • inherent: i.e. present in a fallen world all around us.

We should watch out and be careful: there is always a danger. Stay awake because “he who snoozes looses”, but yet: walk on with confidence that the shepherd knows us best.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 ESV

Explanation

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Ps 23:3

Today we’re looking at the last line of verse three.

Let’s start by looking at our text today in context of the rest of v3.

When we are restored it brings us purpose, potential and possibilities.

Without purpose, live becomes pointless. Purpose gives us reason. Without purpose, God’s commands to us seem random.

When we say “for His name’s sake” it gives purpose to what we do.

Let’s observe:

1. Our paths reflect on our shepherd’s honour

We are confessing an inseparable relationship between the paths the sheep take and the shepherd’s honour: the better the sheep behave the better it looks on the shepherd.

The opposite is also true:

For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Romans 2:24 ESV

2. Not just talk: have to walk

we are not seperating the knowledge of the paths, but the actual paths.

The paths we have are for walking about, not just taking about.

In Pilgrims Progress (ref 185) the character Talkative wants to talk about things biblical and what Christians should do. He is confronted by Faithful who says he needs to actually do something about it.

There is great value in seasons of rest and plenty. Chewing the cud and meditating on God’s word is good. But this is not all were called to do.

We are sharply reminded by James that faith without works is dead:

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? [17] So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:14-17 ESV

3. God’s law is still relevant

According to Paul: travelling along the paths of righteousness should give us a new appreciation of God’s law.

So then, the law was our guardian [schoolmaster (NASB)] until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith

Galatians 3:24

We have a desire to do what God would want us to do rather than fall into sin.

Restored believers have a new appreciation of the law. Before it brought condemnation. Now it brings a source of loving guidance on how to act in accordance with God’s will.

[Editor’s note: Much more could be said on the application of the Old Testament law – as much requires an overarching understanding of the bible to interpret. Readers unfamiliar with Christianity should start with the New Testament, pray for God’s guidance, and ask if unsure!]

Application

We have three application points this week in order to fulfil our purpose and bring glory to God.

Take care:

  • how our actions reflect on others
  • that it’s more than an academic exercise
  • not to make excuses

1. Take care: how our actions reflect on others

Take care because the flock of God gives a window to others, so that they might catch a glimpse of the shepherd.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

2 Peter 1:12 (NIV)

Some years ago my sister and her husband won a prize for being the best dairy farmers in NZ. They were judged by a panel of judges who looked at their production, livestock health and management systems. Only by having everything in order could they win the prize.

At 15 part of coming off age was to get a car licence and have freedom. My father said: “You need to be careful what you do in town because you represent our family.”

We are judged by our conduct in society, and this reflects on how seriously others take our faith.

2. Take care: that this is not an academic exercise

Take care of limiting our experience to an academic exercise. We’ve already said that “faith without works is dead”. This is serious: dead faith leaves us open to condemnation.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

As John the Baptist rebukes the academic Pharisees:

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

Matthew 3:8

The ‘fruit’ is actions and deeds that result from our faith. Jesus further expands:

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

John 14:21

Moses makes it clear in Deutronomy 6:5 how much we are to love God:

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV

With all our might. This cannot be done simply through head knowledge – we need to change our whole life and being. Not to focus on knowledge, but love.

we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

1 Corinthians 8:1b ESV

3. Take care: not to make excuses

There’s a tenancy for us to minimise sin or excuse sin. We can say that his guidance doesn’t matter because our paths aren’t so wrong. We can say that we’re saved and forgiven, so it doesn’t matter.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? [2] By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Romans 6:1-2 ESV

What you believe is what you ought to be practicing. The bible teaches that being forgiven is no excuse to carry on sinning.

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Romans 6:13 ESV

Present all parts of your body and actions as instruments for righteousness.

Finally: how important is God’s name?

Let’s look at two separate events in the life of Moses:

In Exodus 32 we read of the golden calf incident. Moses was away so the people turned to another idol created under the direction of his brother Aaron. When Aaron is confronted, he isn’t particularly honest about what had happened. God is angry and wants to “consume them”.

In Numbers 14 we see the refusal of the people of Israel to enter the land of God. God offers to destroy Israel and make Moses the patriarch of a great nation.

On both occasions, Moses pleads with God not to destroy the nation because it might bring God’s name into disrepute because they were known as his people.

Likewise the greatest desire of Jesus was to bring glory to God.

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,

John 17:1 ESV

In the last hundred years many evangelical church circles have put an emphasis on the benefits we get in this life and the next life from being a Christian.

But these benefits are secondary to the importance of our conversation. Our primary purpose is to bring glory to God; for his name’s sake.

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3 ESV

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.



Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd IV (Psalm 23:3 & Acts 8:1-5) – He leads me in paths of righteousness

He leads me in paths of righteousness

Psalm 23:3b

As well as restoring our soul, this week, we’ll look at how the Lord calls us, leads us and even drives us, along the right paths.

Our passages:  Acts 8:1-5 & Psalm 23:3. Preacher: Ian Bayne (3rd May 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Recap

The rest and plenty described in Psalm 23:1-3 also carry a bitter side to them. This rest and plenty is so amazing because we are not as we ought to be. The events of the fall (Gen 3) brought about an ongoing tragedy for humanity, which is evident in our lives (e.g. death and suffering). We also need to be restored because of wear and tear from work and experiences. Therefore we need to constantly ask for forgiveness and strength from God.

Fortunately, God looks at our potential, not us as we are. As we are restored, we have a sense of purpose and reason to live.

Some may be reminded of the first question answered in the Westiminister Shorter Catechism: What is man’s chief aim?

To glorify God.

Westminister Catechism Question 1 answer

We enjoy meeting at least a part of this aim now. In Christ’s strength we can change and become what we are in him: holy and righteous. We’re not there yet, but it is possible.

Explanation

Today we’ll look at the second part of verse 3.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3b ESV

3 points and then application:

1. Our shepherd is a qualified guide

Some years ago I went on a holiday overseas. We were part of a Tour party travelling through Italy Greece, Athens, and Ephesus. Each time we were at a place we would have a local tour guide appointed to us.

The local guide would have local experience and understanding of the local culture that was useful to us. No-one else could explain the area we were in as well.

Through life, the Lord Jesus is our guide. He is qualified to guide us because:

1) He knows his sheep very well

He knowsL

  • the condition and weaknesses of his sheep
  • the best path for his sheep
  • what the sheep have experienced
  • our current condition.

2) He’s experienced all we have experienced

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:17 ESV

He has experienced being human and is able to sympathise with us.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

3) He knows the right paths to take for our safety and productivity

Our passage today states: “He guides us in paths of righteousness”. We don’t know which paths to take in life: many are frought with danger.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

From time to time we will choose ways that are wrong.

The choices before us may be good opportunities that we mustn’t miss.

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

Matthew 9:9 ESV

We have to apply some discernment to following Jesus. He was without sin: we can’t follow him on repentance from sin as He never needed to change. In these cases there are servants of the Lord we can follow and take example from:

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Philippians 3:17 ESV

2. He guides his sheep

He guides by engaging in the moment by moment management of his sheep. Our shepherd is an intensive manager; intensive in style and substance.

In terms of belief in God, there are theists and deist. A deist believes God is hands-off: winding up the clock at the beginning of creation and then letting things run.

If we take our guide from the Bible, we can be theists:

him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

Ephesians 1:11b ESV

He guides us in three ways:

1) Calling

He calls us personally, through His Word (the Bible), and through depositing the Holy Spirit in us.

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

John 10:4-5 ESV

We recognise God is has spoken to us.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

All of God’s word is a signal and call to us to follow Christ.

John 16:5-13 teaches more about the Holy Spirit.

2) Leading

Jeus leads from the front: by example. His main example is sacrifice.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Matthew 16:24 ESV

We should become living sacrifices to God.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 12:1 ESV

3) Driving

We may not think of this, thinking the sheep follow along willingly. But subtly (and sometimes less subtly) He drives us on the paths we need to take.

Shepherds usually have dogs. They have a heading dog, such as a border collie which is quiet and leads the sheep on.

In NZ the shepherd also has a hunter dog which is noisy and works from the back; moving sheep that are refusing to move.

Scripture indicates that Jesus works to drive us as well.

Examples from scripture:

Joseph had 11 brothers who didn’t like him because he was the favourite, so they sold him into slavery. While in slavery he was accused of rape and put into prison.

If God had informed Joseph all that was going to come, would he have followed the path he did?

So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 45:8 ESV

God’s providence brought him to Egypt.

Moses, likewise, was called by God when he saw a burning bush. He was quite reluctant to lead God’s people out of Egypt and God had to encourage him along the way.

Esther is beautiful and brought before the king of the time. She is put there so that she may rescue the people from a coming genocide.

Jonah didn’t agree with what God wants him to do. He goes the other way. God brings him back and re-commands him.

Our passage today:

In our passage today, Stephen was the first martyr for the church. He was stoned to death, following which there was a lot of persecution. Except for the apostles three members of the church were scattered.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:8 ESV

But by the time of Acts 8 the apostles hadn’t travelled much. Events were required to scatter them.

Acts 15:37-40 recounts a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas that caised them to split up, taking the gospel in two different directions.

God drove me into preaching. Drought, snow and family circumstances brought me into ministry. We can sometimes be a little comfortable and lazy, but God can drive us along the path we need to take.

Application

The Lord’s guidance is for us.

We need to watch out as there could be immediate danger present in our lives. That’s not a time for gentle guidance, but for immediate action.

We need to wake up. As is said: He who snoozes looses.

We lie down in green pastures so we can ruminate and be able to grow. We don’t lie down to sleep: we are not to participate in comfort for comfort’s sake.

Don’t rest on your lauerels

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. [2] Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

Revelation 3:1-2 ESV

The church in Sardis had a name for being a successful church, but we can’t rely on past successes.

We need to keep moving forwards and we can do this with confidence as believers, using our shepherd’s wisdom.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

Rely on God’s wisdom

Rely on God’s ways and God’s wisdom to guide you.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 ESV

Even though we may not understand what to do, God knows and we can walk on in wisdom, sometimes being driven and sometimes being called.

The paths ahead are full of hazards. There are:

  • Internal issues: sin in us
  • Intrinsic hazards: related to the culture and times
  • Inherent hazards: present always in a fallen world.

Thank the Lord that “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.



Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd III (Psalm 23:3 & 1 Peter 1:3-9) – He restores my soul

“He restores our soul.” Why do we need restoring, how does He do this, and what is the purpose of our life? Pastor Ian Bayne tackles the big questions.

After our celebration of Easter, we return to our series on Psalm 23.

Our passage:  1 Peter 1:3-9 & Psalm 23:3. Preacher: Ian Bayne (19th April 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Recap

We are continuing our studies in Psalm 23, as the level 4 lockdown and uncertainty around the world continues. It is good to remind ourselves of familiar truths, and what better passage than Psalm 23.

Before Easter we looked at verses 1 and 2 together and found:

  • There is a shepherd in this life, we are not required to wander aimlessly
  • The Lord is our shepherd
  • He has a number of sheep
  • He has entered a covenant with his sheep such that “I shall not want”

Because of this we should have:

1. Dependence

God has made us to be dependent on Him. We are not made to be independent. We are called to live by faith and not by sight, so that we might magnify God’s glory.

2. Trust

We can trust because he knows us, he saved us and has given his life for us

He manages us, leads us and will bring us back if we go astray.

3. Security

We are in safe hands.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:28 ESV

We are safe standing on the rock of ages.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 ESV

Verse 2 looks back on verse 1 about rest.

4. Rest

We don’t have to establish our own test. We don’t have to work for our own salvation. The shepherd has done this for us.

Jesus himself is our righteousness. Therefore we can receive salvation with joy.

5. Preparation

When in a time of peace we can use these times wisely.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:8

6. Rumination

As a sheep regurgitates its food for further digestion, the word of God should be something we think of. Meditation aids our appreciation, understanding and application of God’s word.

7. Restoration

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3 ESV

Today we’ll look closer at the first part of verse 3: “He restores my soul”

What is going on here, and what does this mean?

Explanation

If restoration is needed then things are not as they ought to be.

There are many things people get excited about today and spend their time on. During lockdown we have been watching TV, which reflects what society is interested in. There’s currently lots of TV on restoration: historic castles, junk and antiques to restore. People want to see things restored to their former glory.

The need for restoration

But why do things need restoring?

They get into this state because:

  1. of a disaster or tragedy: maybe weather or war
  2. wear and tear: for instance, metal might have rusted or worn out

We too are in need of restoration for the same reasons. Psalm 23:3 says “He restores our soul”. Let’s have a look at why we need this, and How He restores us.

We need restoring: because of a tragedy

We have experienced a tragedy: the fall. This happened when Adam and Eve disobeyed God.

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-

Romans 5:12 ESV

It wasn’t just Adam’s sin, but the rebellion spread. We confirm this on a daily basis because we sin. This is the great tragedy – the consequence of Adam’s “original sin”

The curses in Genesis 3:14-19 lay out the consequences:

  • There are broken relations with God. We are hurting because of sin.
  • There are broken relations with each other because sin is in us.
  • There’s a broken ability for us to resist evil. We’re inclined to do wrong.
  • There’s a broken world we live in and broken bodies we die in.

This is why we need restoration and why the shepherd needs to help us. When He reconciles us He restores these things.

He restores our soul: after the tragedy

He gives us a heart “after which things are good”

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

He restores our bodies through the promise of Resurrection.

While the resurrection has been completed, these promises are not completely fulfilled.

The process has begun. There is a downpayment for what is to come.

We need restoring: because of wear and tear due to time and conditions

Even when initial restoration is complete, rot and rust still occur. Our lives are fraught with difficulty and we feel sadness, loss, pain and trials of various kinds.

He restores our soul: from our wear and tear

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 ESV

This restoration of us is not just a one-off process, but is ongoing. The first part addresses the tragedy, the second part the wear and tear.

This is why we’re taught to forgive others.

Even though everything else has changed we’re still inclined to go back.

What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

2 Peter 2:22

Application

We’ll look at three words:

  • Potential
  • Purpose
  • Possibilities

Potential

The shepherd doesn’t look at what the sheep are currently, but their potential. Even though we were born in sin and weakness; even though we are just dust, with an inclination to sin; He looks past this.

He knows about wear and tear. If we have sinned, or been sinned against.

He knows we will continue to fail until we enter heaven.

Yet when the Lord looks on a sheep he doesn’t see what we are, but what we could become.

As the 70’s song goes: “Something beautiful, something good, all my confusion He understood. All I had to offer him was brokenness and strife, but he has something beautiful planned for my life”

This gives us purpose.

Purpose

Why do I exist? What is the purpose of my life and the significance of it.

If these things are left unanswered it’s a recipe for mental health issues. The answer is simple: our existence is to give glory and honour to God.

One of our great quests of life is to generally glorify God through our faith, but also to fulfil God’s specific plan for each of us.

When He becomes our shepherd He injects purpose into our lives.

Possibilities

Stuck as a slave to sin we have limited possibilities. He gives us the power to change.

He also doesn’t permit us to remain as we are, and we also desire to move on. As we rely and trust in him we gradually move away from sin and to become better Christians.

When our guard is down we revert. It’s our greatest desire to overcome these sins, but this isn’t enough: it’s the Lord who restores to us the power to change and overcome.

What was not thought possible now looks achievable.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Sheep farming in the South Island

On the South Island, everyone is either: a farmer, married to one, or supporting one. There’s a diverse bunch of farm and crop types: sheep, beef, crops, dairy.

At the top of the plains are the foothills. It’s hard hill country. There are severe winters and tough conditions. Many sheep grow up in these conditions.

At about 5 years of age the sheep are sold. A flat land farmer will then receive those sheep. They would be skinny and look like they’d endured a tragic event. But the nice conditions of the plains would make the sheep fat and healthy again. The change of environment makes all the difference. So it is with us as people.

All of us have experienced tragedy. The world is not a great place sometimes. But when we submit to the shepherd’s care we grow and become productive. We become members of the church of Jesus

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:3 ESV

Being “born again” is overcoming the tragedy. We are to become a living hope for each other and the world. This will release our potential and give us a purpose in life.

Praise be to Him who has caused us to be born again to a living hope and resurrection from the dead.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

Song: Something beautiful



Three crosses silhouetted against the night sky

Easter – He is risen! (Matthew 28:6 & Psalm 22:22-31)

He is risen! Happy Easter day! Today we look at the resurrection of Jesus: the central miracle that all of Christianity is based on, including our hope of salvation. What happened, and why should we believe it really happened?

Our passage:  Matthew 28:6 & Psalm 22:22-31. Preacher: Ian Bayne (12th April 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Easter Sunday service 12/04/20 – Sermon starts at 12:35

The Crucifixion

We gathered on Good Friday to remember the crucifixion. As Jesus died on the cross he uttered the words in Psalm 22:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

Psalm 22:1 ESV

After he had died, before the end of the day the soldiers came round to break the legs of those not yet dead in order to make sure the sentence had been carried out. They pierced his side with a spear to confirm and blood and water came out. This gave them proof that he was dead, so they didn’t need to break his legs.

After he died, his body was released to Joseph of Arimathea who placed it in his personal tomb. Aware of what he thought of as a cult following the governor Pontius Pilate set a guard over the tomb.

The Resurrection

The passage we are looking at in Matthew 28 then runs through what happened next:

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. [2] And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [4] And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. [5] But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. [6] He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:1-6 ESV

The cross was a means of sentencing people that the Romans didn’t like to death. The resurrection is incredible and miraculous – unlike anything else in history.

Think about it: Christians believe someone was:

  • proven to be dead.
  • dead for three days – by which time their body would have been decomposing
  • rose again.

Why believe Easter happened?

We as Christians, believe this happened, just as He said. This is what Easter is about.

Christians believe this is true for four main reasons.

We believe because of:

1. Who said it

When deciding whether to believe someone we look at the character of who said it. During this time of uncertainty, we are all looking at the source of information in order to avoid being taken in by fake news.

“Just as He said” refers to Jesus. According to scripture, it was impossible for Him to lie. He was fully man and fully God.

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20:28

Jesus was the lamb without blemish – He was sinless.

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

1 Peter 2:22

2. Who he said it to

We recognise his message because of who he gave the message to.

Those who understood the scriptures and were expecting a messiah

There were many around at the time of Jesus who remembered what the Old Testament prophets had foretold:

  • Simeon when Jesus is presented at the temple (Luke 2:25-35)
  • Anna also at the temple (Luke 2:36-38)
  • Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:67-79)
  • John the Baptist (John 1:29-34)

They recognised Jesus from what the Old Testament saints had written about him many years before Jesus came into the world.

Foretold by Scripture

Not everything written in the Old Testament is explicit but there is enough written to paint a clear picture of who Jesus would be and what he would be like, for those who read it carefully. Psalm 22 that we read is a great example of this. If you get time to read, the first half of the psalm runs through the events around the crucifixion; including details such as the dividing of his garments:

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet- [17] I can count all my bones- they stare and gloat over me; [18] they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Psalm 22:16-18 ESV

The portion we read in the second half (Psalm 22:22-31) speaks of the goodness of God and an enduring testimony arising from Jesus’s act. Similar acts of obedience and sacrifice have been witnessed throughout the Bible.

  • Enoch walked with God and was no more (Gen 5:21-24)
  • Abraham offered to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22 & Hebrews 11:17-19)
  • Elijah was taken up to heaven (2 Kings 2)
  • Jonah was in the belly of a fish for three days (Jonah 1:17)

Jonah’s experience is highlighted by Jesus as an example of what he had come to do:

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Matthew 12:39 ESV

His enemies

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

John 2:19 ESV

He had nothing to hide.

His disciples

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

Matthew 16:21 ESV

Paul repeats the narrative of the resurrection in his letters. There were over 500 witnesses.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. [6] Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. [8] Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV

3. As convicted by the Holy Spirit

The resurrection is something so profound that God has given us help to understand it.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jeremiah 31:33 ESV

The crucifixion is like a burning bush: evidence of an event too important to ignore. We have to look into it and see for ourselves what has happened.

And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”

Exodus 3:3 ESV

4. We have personal experience of fellowship and communion with the risen saviour

In the days following the resurrection, Jesus’s disciples physically experienced His presence as he ate and drank with them. His disciple Thomas famously doubted:

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

John 20:24-25 ESV

Jesus appears to Thomas specifically, and Thomas confirms that it is Him.

While we can’t have a physical relationship, Jesus is alive and Christians have an active relationship with him: sustaining and protecting the church. We see his sovereign control through answered prayer, world events and in creation itself.

Easter is still remembered

The book of Revelation speaks of a vision of the end times in the form of apocalyptic literature. In chapter 5 Jesus is depicted as a lamb.

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5:6 ESV

Note that the lamb is standing as if it had been slain. It’s a striking figure to consider.

As you may remember from previous sermons I was a sheep farmer producing prime lamb for market. Speaking from experience, there is not one lamb who has stood after they have been slain.

Jesus was slain, but He was raised. Revelation 5 speaks of the lamb being sovereign over the land today, powerful and worshipped by all of creation. Today we have fellowship with a living saviour who was slain for us so that we may have a relationship with him.

What will you remember this Easter?

Part of my family’s Easter tradition was going with my father to visit my grandmother’s grave. We would give thanks to a mother who had prayed for him and nursed him during his early years of suffering when he couldn’t walk. Easter Sunday was his first day walking after suffering from Polio and we would give thanks that he was healed.

40 years ago I met Glenys at a Christian camp over Easter. While our wedding anniversary is later in the year, we think of Easter as our actual anniversary.

We may remember 2020 as the Easter of lockdown so that we don’t spread covid-19.

But whether a family event, the beginning of a relationship, or something like we’re going through now: it will be forgotten.

An event happened 2000 years ago that has not been forgotten. Christ has risen just as He said. In 2000 more years I can guarantee, people will still remember.

This is a savour who has risen from the dead and offers us a relationship with our God and eternal life. He cares for us so much that He died for us. He is a saviour we can trust in.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.



Three crosses silhouetted against the night sky

Easter – His gift to us on Good Friday (Galatians 6:14)

On Good Friday, we are reminded of the costly sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us to offer us a relationship with Him. But there are many alternative ideas floating in our society. How do we know which to trust? And what does Easter mean for us today?

Our passage:  Isaiah 53:4-12 & Galatians 6:14. Preacher: Ian Bayne (10th April 2020).

Watch the sermon

Good Friday Service – sermon starts at 13:00

The Crucifixion on Good Friday

What happened?

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14 ESV

We’re looking today at the first half of this verse written 2000 years ago by the apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus in modern-day Turkey. Paul is writing about the very first Easter weekend, and the events that happened on Good Friday.

Good Friday is the traditional day when Christians give thanks to God for Jesus. He paid the penalty for our sin by being crucified on a cross by the Romans around the year 30AD.

Why does it matter?

Sin is the mental, moral and active disobedience to God’s requirements. It’s not just grievous sin like murder or theft, anything less than perfection is sin.

It’s not that some people do sin and some don’t, or even about who sins less than someone else. This is not relevant. No one can keep such a standard: everyone sins, and there is no distinction; no second prize for coming close.

For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 3:22b-23

Yet God requires each one of us to be holy and righteous. If we’re certain to fail, why would He ask us to do this? Put simply, His ask is not about our own capability, but His capability.

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

Continuing on to Romans 3:24

This free gift given by Him is what frees us from sin and redeems us. In our verse in Galatians 6:14 Pauls shows that the Cross is a two-way exchange. Our sin is given to Christ, and His righteousness is given to us.

The cross is the meeting place for us and God.

God’s requirement for justice is satisfied – the punishment has been taken. And through this God’s love and forgiveness is fully expressed. He’s given us a way out of sin.

To many Christians, the cross is a powerful symbol that represents God putting right what is wrong.

The alternatives

In the world there are alternate ideas:

  1. Say sin doesn’t exist
  2. Accept sin exists, but deny it matters: Doing something wrong only matters if we’re caught and face consequences.
  3. Redefine right and wrong: much of our law and culture is based on Judeo-Christian ethics. Things such as abortion, euthanasia and marriage are being treated as political issues and re-defined.

If the law of the land is being changed to something that was previously considered wrong, does that make it right?

The majority can do so in parliament, or through a referendum. Society’s views are influenced and enforced by education through guilt and through thought police on social media. Freedom of speech does not always apply.

The consequences

Industrialisation also provides a challenge, when great dollar can be made at the expense of the planet and the most vulnerable in society. It’s not necessarily wrong for people to want to change this. Caring for the environment is a very Christan principle under our general stewardship mandate (Gen 2:15).

The problem is how it’s being dealt with: through social engineering and trying to make people feel guilty about what is being done to the planet, or how people are treated. A negative message rarely works.

Carbon emissions are an example. We’ve been given a lot of education over many years, but few have listened and even today (pre-March) progress was slow.

It’s ironic that one virus has done more to save the climate than all the actions taken over the last few years.

The problems our society and ecosystem face lie deeper than guilt education or social engineering can overcome. These methods are treating the symptoms rather than the cause.

The true answer to these challenges, wrongs and sin is the cross: a horrible instrument of torture and death which Jesus died on around 2000 years ago.

The challenge of Good Friday

The cross does not seek to deny there is sin in the world or the effect it has. It defines sin, and promises that wrong and sin can be overcome.

Paul says that he has nothing to boast in except the cross of Christ. What does he mean? What is he calling us to do?

1. To admit

I need to admit I am part of the problem. Jesus suffered and died for my sin. I ought to have been on the cross, but he died for me.

2. To accept

We accept and trust in Jesus alone to make us right with God. Our sin is placed on him, his righteousness is placed on us. No sin is too big.

He will forgive if you ask him.

3. To continue on

Go forward in his strength and power. True forgiveness begins with a change of heart. If we change the heart, the world will be changed as well.

Christians and the church don’t always get things right. This is not because the cross is not adequate, but because God’s followers have failed to understand and apply the commands contained in scripture.

If you have been hurt or discouraged by the Christian faith, or our poor communication of it, then I apologise for the past sin of the church, and my own part in it. But the truth and the cross is still the only true antidote to all that is wrong in the world, nothing can change this reality.

Forbid it that we should boast in anything else.

On Good Friday we remember our saviour. We pray that He will help us trust in him and become righteous to avoid judgement and receive his freely given gift of salvation.

16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Resources

Join us on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection.

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.



Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd II (Psalm 23:2 & Hebrews 3:1-11) – He makes me lie down in green pastures

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:2 ESV

We’re continuing our series in Psalm 23 in the midst of our national Level 4 alert, recognising that these are anxious times for many. The familiar truths in one of the most familiar passages of the bible can help us appreciate God’s power and sovereignty in this time.

Our passage:  Hebrews 3:1-11 & Psalm 23:2. Preacher: Ian Bayne (5th April 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Service recording. Sermon starts at approximately -38:50

Recap

We have turned to Psalm 23 in these difficult times. In times of anxiety, we can fall back on familiar truths. For me as a former sheep farmer, this psalm has special relevance and I want to share more of this today.

Last week, looking at verse 1, we saw how we are shepherded by the LORD Almighty; our shepherd. We are his sheep and he has made a covenant (or promise) with us. With good shepherding, a flock will be productive. Likewise we are also more productive if we are well looked after, so let’s trust in a shepherd who can do this.

We are to be dependent on our shepherd so we might live by faith and trust Him to provide for us. By doing this, we appreciate our own inabilities and His power in contrast.

We’re also called to trust him because he’s good. He has saved us and given his life for us. When we go astray and fail to look to Him, He guides us and will bring us back. We are in safe hands. No one will destroy us or take us from his fold.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,[a] is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

John 10:28-30 ESV

Our salvation is not based on our will, by what we do, but is a free gift from God that we do not deserve. Salvation is by grace only. We can’t earn it.

Paul explains this in his letter to the Ephesian church:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

Explanation

This week we’re looking at verse 2:

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:2 ESV

This is a picture of rest. Imagine a river running quickly through the mountains. As the rivers reach the plains below they slow down. There is much feed for sheep on the fertile plains. A place where we can relax.

Imagine a flock of sheep who are well fed. They are lying down, content in that place. As believers, we can also be content for many reasons.

To remedy a common misconception: a sheep will never lie down on its side. If a sheep is horizontal there are two possible reasons: it could be giving birth, or it could be dying.

That is not the picture here. We would say it’s sitting down with its legs folded under it. If it was still hungry it wouldn’t be sitting down.

In this fertile field, many sheep are lying down

When a sheep is lying down it will be ruminating. Sheep have 4 parts to their stomach. Like with cows, they regurgitate what they have eaten back into their mouth to grind it down further and help with digestion.

Imagine a flock of sheep lying down in a valley with plenty of feed. They are chewing the cud.

For a sheep to maintain its weight it needs around 1kg of dry matter per day. In this picture there is adequate food to grow and put on weight and there is plenty of water. That the water is still is more about the pasture being a place of rest. Sheep will drink water whether still or otherwise if they are thirsty.

Application

Good news!

Our verse today is a picture of very good news. The gospel of Jesus is how we enter into this rest.

but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope…[8a] do not harden your hearts… [11] and I swore “they shall not enter my rest”

Hebrews 3: 6, 8a and 11 ESV

We are to “hold fast” to Jesus so that we may enter his rest.

Rest

The writer of Hebrews is quoting Psalm 93:7-11 to encourage faithfulness. The psalm talks about the Israelites in the Old Testament “harden[ing] your hearts” and “always going astray”. They could not “enter [his] rest”.

At this point the readers of the letter to the Hebrews (who knew their Old Testament well) would have remembered Psalm 95:

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

Psalm 95:7-8 ESV

All of these passages are referring to the rest described in Psalm 23:2. To rest we must be dependent on the shepherd, and Psalm 23:2 gives us a picture of a shepherd providing all his sheep need.

Preparation

But, the days of plenty never last. While there’s plenty of feed in v2, in verse 4, trouble has arrived and the shepherd acts.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 ESV

In our verse today we have a picture of rest and plenty, corresponding to the good times we experience in our lives. Like the sheep do, we should use this a time of preparation.

Bears need to hibernate. They prepare throughout summer and autumn for the coming winter by eating as much as they can and building fat reserves. Sheep, to a lesser extent, need to also prepare for long hard winters.

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2

The apostle Paul says to his apprentice Timothy that we need to be ready in season and out of season.

Meditation

Practically speaking, preparation starts with meditation. We’re not talking about Eastern meditation to empty one’s head. Christian mediation does the opposite.

To be ready, we need to be like the sheep in times of rest, ruminating on their food. Our food is the Word of God, and the time spent with Him in prayer. We want the Word of God to become effective in our heart in order to change us.

We want to take information in from God’s word, chew it over, and let it work in us. This will allow us to: appreciate, understand, interpret and apply God’s Word in times of trouble.

Appreciation of God

Meditation allows us a sense of appreciation. We think of verses like:

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV

We think over these verses, and it raises a spirit of praise and worship in us.

Cognition (understanding) of God’s Word

Meditation also allows us to grow in our cognition: our true understanding of God’s word. Scripture is a great teacher.

Interpretation of God’s Word

With a better understanding of scripture, we become better able to interpret scripture. The meaning of most scripture is plain, but where it isn’t we need to use scripture to interpret scripture.

Application of God’s Word

True action results from God’s word in our hearts. Thought over, ruminated, chewed over.

God’s words to Joshua, as he took over from Moses, show the importance of God’s word:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:8 ESV

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 ESV

This extends to teaching our children

You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

Deuteronomy 11:18 ESV

Summary

We can see a picture of the good news. Hopefully you have received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.

A picture of preparation. These are difficult times. Perhaps verse 4 is more applicable, but by the provision of God’s word during the good times, we might stand firm and draw strength from him in this time.

It’s a great privilege to say “our father who art in heaven”, and to experience the very presence of God and exist in the light of his word.

Practical helps

It’s all well and good to say we should meditate on our passage, but what does this mean. Because we have some time I want to give some practical help for doing this.

We can think of ourselves as pessimists and optimists. It’s not that someone is one or the other all of the time. Sometimes we feel more one way or the other.

Practical advice for Pessimistic times

There are plenty of passages where Gods people are pessimistic.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9 ESV

Sometimes we are in an anxious state. Philippians 4:8 gives a list of things to think about and dwell on. Philippians 4:9 then says to practice them.

Practical advice for Optimistic times

If we’re optimistic then we can look to both creation and God’s word for opportunities to praise him.

General revelation: through Creation

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 19:1

Ps 19 talks about God’s general revelation in verses 1-6; how God speaks to all of His creation. When we’re optimistic we can look at animals, nature, the skies. We can find opportunities to praise him for these things. All creation declares God’s glory and reveals his knowledge, and sovereign care and control.

We serve a God who takes care of us, directs us and is sovereign. He works all things out according to his purpose:

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

Ephesians 1:9 ESV

Special Revelation: through His Word

The remainder of the psalm speaks about God’s special revelation through his Word in Psalm 19:7-14. The Word of God can be described in many ways:

The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring for ever;
the rules[d] of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.

Psalm 19:7-9

Psalm 19:10-13 expands on the last point around the rules, or judgements of God. They show us the truth of God, are more desirable than gold, and are a warning not to sin. They give us an assurance that if we do sin, God will forgive us.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 John 2:1

God’s Word gives us the power to overcome sin. As the psalmist says, so we can say:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

For further study on Psalm 19, please see our Grace Devotional:



Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd I (Psalm 23:1 & John 10:1-18) – The Lord is my shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want

Psalm 23:1

As the national restrictions continue during this troubling time, we continue our mini-series of encouragements. Psalm 23 is a great psalm many of us will be familiar with. In times of trouble, our hearts are full and our minds are confused. We need to remind ourselves of old truths and seek dependence, trust and security from God.

Our passage:  John 10:1-18 & Psalm 23. Preacher: Ian Bayne (29th March 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Sermon starts at -28:45

Introduction

The second reason for covering this today is a more personal one. Before called to ministry I was a sheep farmer, like my father and grandfather. My home was a loving and caring Christian home.

Every night, the last thing before going to bed would be to pray with my father, and he would get me to learn scripture by heart. The first Psalm I learned was Psalm 23 so it is very special.

Explanation

Even just looking at verse 1 in detail today, the psalmist wants us to know four things:

  1. There is a shepherd
  2. The shepherd is the LORD
  3. The LORD owns sheep
  4. The LORD takes care of His sheep

1. There is a shepherd

A flock of sheep needs a shepherd to stop them wandering, to lead, direct them and keep them safe from harm.

Shepherds are burdened to keep the sheep. There are two kinds of shepherd:

  • The hired hand – who is looking after the sheep for payment
  • The owner of the sheep – who has a vested interest in their welfare because it affects the amount of wool and lambs they will obtain.

2. Our shepherd is the LORD

Fortunately “the LORD is our shepherd”, and what a shepherd He is.

The word LORD used in our English translations is the Hebrew consonants: Y..H..W..H. It’s the Lord’s personal name. It’s a word so special that the ancients didn’t even want to write it in full or pronounce it. Some have guessed at the pronunciation, but we don’t know for sure.

In the New Testament Jesus proclaims his status by saying he’s the good shepherd (John 10) and the I AM:

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

John 8:58

This echos what God said to Moses when he revealed His name.

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”

Exodus 3: 14

Jesus is claiming to be God. (In John 8:59 the Jews attempt to stone him for blasphemy because of this)

3. The LORD owns His sheep

In John 10 we see how the LORD is not a hired hand, but an owner who cares for His sheep.

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  13  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:12-15 ESV

Notice the passage says “the lord is MY shepherd” (Psalm 23:1 (emphasis added). He has entered into a deeply personal relationship with us. The Song of Solomon parallels something of the depth of this relationship:

My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 2:16 ESV

He recognises his sheep to be his. As a sheep farmer by trade, I can say that a farmer really knows his sheep. Even with many thousand sheep, it’s possible to get to know many of them as you tend them regularly, and they have different personalities. If a neighbour’s sheep got in, I would know.

4. There’s a covenant agreement

There’s a promise made in this verse:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1 ESV

In the New Testament we see this again:

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 ESV

There’s an agreement that he will supply all our needs. The rest of Psalm 23 is expanding on this point and showing us what this means.

Application

There are three applications we can take from this:

  1. dependency
  2. trust
  3. security

1. Dependency

It’s common to say that sheep are dumb. This saying seems to have originated from a misinterpretation of a passage in Isaiah. The passage prophesies about Jesus, where he’s likened to a sheep. The scene is when Jesus is before Pontious Pilate being questioned about the charges being brought against him.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isaiah 53:7 King James Version. The newer ESV uses “silent” instead of “dumb”.

Dumb has come to mean stupid. But it’s not the case, it simply means silent. Sheep are intelligent, but they are dependent.

The fall in Genesis 3 was a result of man’s quest for independence. When we’re dependent on God we will follow and trust in Him, and He will provide for us.

for we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

We must walk in humility according to God, even if this seems counter-cultural.

These are strange days. The covid-19 virus is something we can’t control and therefore we must depend on God. As we grow in dependence, we also grow in humility.

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.

2 Corinthians 13:9 ESV

The smaller we become, the greater our appreciation of God. And what a God we have.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:16 ESV

He is providing for his children

2. Trust

He knows us and we can know him. He saved us by giving his life for us.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:11 ESV

He cares for us.

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

And gently leads us to pastures new and through difficult times

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

He is still seeking and saving those who are lost. He goes out of His way to look after each one of us individually.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. [12] What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? [13] And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. [14] So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:10,12-14 ESV

We will all take wrong turns in life. He will take us back to the safety of the fold.

3. Security

When I was growing up, every boy played Rugby Union. Didn’t play anything else, not the round ball game, the hockey ball game or the other rugby ball game; just Rugby Union.

One player in my team was chosen to be full-back for every game because this player would always catch and would never drop the ball. He had a “safe pair of hands”.

Are we not in safe hands? We “shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. [30] I and the Father are one.”

John 10:29-30 ESV

Our security in him doesn’t depend on our ability to have faith or belief. Our faith is in the good shepherd who seeks us when we are lost.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10 ESV

The good shepherd comes for us, not for us to simply have life, but to have life abundantly.

Who do you want to be your shepherd? A thief? A hired hand? Or the good shepherd with a life of ultimate peace and security?

Our text

The LORD Is My Shepherd

A psalm of David

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord
    for ever.[g]

Psalm 23:1-6 ESVUK (C)2001 Crossway Bibles

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

We didn’t sing this due to livestreaming restrictions, but here it is!


Fortress

Psalm 46 – Our refuge and strength (Elmir Pereira)

Pastor Elmir Pereira shares a devotional on Psalm 46 for your encouragement.

Read Psalm 46

As we read the Psalm we can observe how strong the psalmist’s declaration is in verse 1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the trouble”. The psalm affirms that in God we have all security, protection, and defence we need. And He is the one who can sustain and keep his beloved at all times, especially in difficult times. It is also interesting to note that God’s action is a continuing gift for all times. God was not a refuge, strength and help in the past; God will not be a refuge, a strength and a help at a certain moment in the future; God is a refuge, strength and help, in the present time, today and forever.

The Scriptures teach us that since sin became part of human nature separating man from God, its creator and master, the reality of suffering, misery and condemnation  came to be experienced by the human being. Spiritual forces began to work against man, to enslave him and to kill him; and separated from God, man can not overcome them. But God, throughout  his grace and mercy, has provided in the person of his son Jesus, through the cross, forgiveness and salvation. By faith in the Lord Jesus, man is reconciled to God, and by faith in the Lord Jesus, he has all the resources to overcome the difficulties, temptations and all sorts of tribulation and anguish that come against him in his life. God, in the person of his son Jesus is the refuge, strength and help that every human being needs. We individually need to increase this truth in our hearts every day. We must rest daily in this promise of God to those who trust in Him. No matter the circumstances, bad or good, difficult or easy, tribulations and disturbances of this world, the attacks of the spiritual forces of evil, or our limitations and imperfections. The Lord Jesus Christ will always be our refuge, our Strength and our Help.

As a result of this extraordinary truth the Psalm presents us with 3 actions that we must constantly take daily.

1- First attitude: Do not be afraid to face the daily struggles and the most intense tribulations that arise (verses 1 and 2: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore we will not fear, …”) . The man full of himself says  that he fears nothing. Nothing in this world can frighten him. Pure arrogance and stupidity. In fact, it is possible that we are all afraid of something or someone. That is part of our nature. And this truth becomes clear, especially when we face unexpected situations of shame, pain or the possibility of death, which come upon us or the ones we love, which our own capabilities and resources are not able to solve. When the Psalm says: … therefore, we will not fear…, it is teaching us that fear exists, but we will not allow this fear to dominate or control our mind and our heart, for God is our refuge, strength and help. We have to face the fear that might come upon us trusting in the Lord’s help. We need to believe and experience this truth by constant communion with God. This is what we need to say in times of fear that God is our refuge and strength, help very present in the tribulations.

2- Second attitude: Contemplate the powerful works that God has already accomplished in the history of his people and in their lives (verse 8: “Come, behold the works of the Lord, …). It is common for our minds to be filled with a lot of things that will not help us at all in the difficult times of life. Many options for solving our problems will be offered to us. Satan always has a number of evil darts, suggestions that appear to be the best, to launch upon us. According to this text, however, we must look to the great achievements that God has already done that demonstrated his power to solve problems, and his great love towards those who are his people. Contemplating and meditating on the Lord’s most powerful work, the work of the Cross. The perfect work accomplished by the Lord Jesus, destroying the power of sin, death and evil. By faith look to Christ in which we will always be more than conquerors. We need to fill our minds in the hours of difficulties with all the powerful things that God has already accomplished in the history of his people and in their lives and meditate on them: “Come, behold the works of the Lord.”

3 – Third attitude: Rest in the presence of the Lord at all times (verse 8: “Cease striving and know that I am God). Just as many things try to fill our minds in difficult times, many options appear on what to do to solve problems. We start acting like crazy people looking for solutions. We run everywhere. Some are dominated by despair and attitudes that will increase the problems even more. But the solution that comes from the Lord is to calm down, to stop talking and acting like crazy. God wants us to stay in his presence. God wants us to go into our room in an intimate communion with him, by faith, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and let us see his action. He is God. He is in control and governs sovereignly. He is mighty to make wars cease. He breaks the bow, breaks the spear, and burns the cars of our enemies. He will be exalted in the nations. He will be exalted on earth. The Lord of hosts is with us. He promised us: “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you, so that we confidently say: The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid, What will man do to me? (Hebrews 13: 5-6).

May God bless us.

Elmir Batista Pereira

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

See also:



The tower of Babel

Our way or God’s way? How to deal with Covid-19 (Genesis 11:1-11)

Due to normally meeting in a school, we’re affected by restrictions earlier than other churches. This week as our first livestreaming the service, it is a good time to step out of our series to look at what the current covid-19 pandemic means for us using two examples from the Bible. Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected.

Our passage:  Genesis 11:1-11 & Ephesians 2:18-22. Preacher: Ian Bayne (22nd March 2020).

Watch the sermon

Livestream 22/03/20 (starts at -23:02). See the order of service for more details.

Introduction

Our passages today reflect two contrasting contacts with God that involve building. One in Genesis which shows a human plan for glory, and one in Ephesians, which is God’s plan for glory.

Our way: The tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1-11 is the famous Tower of Babel passage. This is set early in the biblical timeline, shortly after God had commanded the people to be fruitful and multiply.

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it

Genesis 1:28

But the people were not doing this.

And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

Genesis 11:2 ESV

They thought it was better to stay in one place. They are rebelling against God.

And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar.

Genesis 11:3

Notice they do not use natural stone or mortar (God’s materials). They had to manufacture bricks and mortar themselves because the land did not have those materials.

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”

Genesis 11:4

Building the tower was a hopeless attempt to gain access to heaven. Notice their motive: they wanted to make a name for themselves. They wanted to be great. They are deliberately rebelling against God’s command, and are wanting protection.

And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built.

Genesis 11:5

They do not get anywhere near heaven, nor can they. The Lord has to “come down” to see the tower (because it’s so small).

Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused[a] the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

Genesis 11:11

As a result of their rebellion, God comes down and confuses their language, scatters the people, and humbles them. The very opposite of what they were trying to achieve and avoid.

Today the effect of a small insignificant virus like covid-19 is scattering people and shows humans that we are not in control. He is humbling us.

God’s way: a holy temple and kingdom

In Ephesians 2:18-22 God is building:

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. [22] In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[e] the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:20-22

He is building a holy temple to Himself, that includes us and gives us access to God. We are part of it.

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,[d] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Ephesians 2:18-19

Ephesians 2 contains God’s plan and building contract. Look how different it is from Genesis 11. A superstructure is being built that includes us today: the Kingdom of God. This time it is completed according to God’s plan, by God, with materials He has created.

God has done extensive preparation, and built a solid foundation, unlike the Genesis 11 account which is built on an idea at the time.

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Ephesians 2:20

The apostles refer to the New Testament, the prophets refer to the Old Testament. We have both available to us.

This time the motive of building the temple is to reach God and be part of His plan and Kingdom. By being a part of His plan and participating in building the Kingdom, we are exalting His greatness. This motive is pleasing to God.

Application

What is the result of this building that God has established?

1. Confusion is overcome – peace is established

In the tower of Babel story, the people are confused and scattered. In this building peace is established.

You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3

2. The scattered are brought home

We will be brought home being “fellow citizens” and “no longer aliens”

1 Peter 1:1 ESV

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Here they are being referred to as aliens, but in our passage they are being brought near and into through the tabernacle.

3 After humility comes repentance

We are insignificant. The covid-19 virus proves that – everything has been turned upside down. Society and the economy have been humbled. We cannot help ourselves or control what’s going on around us.

God is declaring that He is God and we are not. Even the best medical advancements can only stave off death for 100 years or so. We cannot fully protect ourselves and this is a cause of fear to many.

We must trust God and place ourselves in His hands. He is sovereign and “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph 1:11b)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:5-6

He is mighty and he cares for us. In due time this trial will be over.

But for all of us watching and reading: Which building will you choose to meet God? Will you choose man’s plan like the Tower of Babel, or God’s plan through the church, where Christ is the cornerstone?

4. After repentance comes praise and exaltation of God

What is the motive for our choice: for our own glory or for God’s glory.

We cannot avoid death, from the covid-19 virus, or other sources. God’s way offers a promise of eternal life.

For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

For Christians, death is not the end, but an entry to eternal life.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV

Those who will live forever will enter the temple built by God.

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)

Hebrews 9:11 ESV

Even in the early days of the Old Testament: Abraham was looking forward to a city whose architect was God.

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

Which way will you choose?

But no matter how many times you go to church, or do ‘good things’ we still fall short. We can’t build a building tall enough to reach heaven. The tower of Babel was futile.

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:20 ESV

We can’t manufacture enough bricks or tar to reach the heavens ourselves. Only through Jesus can we enter into the presence of God. He wants us to join Him in this great building project. Will you?

We need to trust God’s Word as our guide to lead us to the Lord.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.