Reflections on the New Year - 2011

During 2011, build the Church wisely

Do not know about you, but I find it hard to love a fool. Particularly the kind that thinks he knows everything about the whole thing, yet knows nothing about anything. “Fools certainty” is more than frustrating, it’s also dangerous. Jesus said that people who do not listen to what he says are like fools who build houses without foundations!

Matthew 7:24-27: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Who will argue that we live during times when fools will not cause harm and live lives with high risks? Who wants to enter 2011 a fool and have the house of Faith washed away by the challenges and temptations that lie ahead?

The problem with foolishness is that it often looks so much like wisdom, or at least like being clever, that its hard to see the difference at first. In the parable two men built 2 very similar houses. Both desired to build a home in which they could live with their families, be safe and happy. Both houses had the features to provide the shelter they were looking for, had doors, windows, views and various amenities.

But note, there were also important contrasts or differences between the two houses and the two men. The most important difference between the men is that one is a fool and and the other one is wise. This results in the important contrast between the houses. The wise man took the trouble to build on the appropriate foundation, but the fool did not consider the future and the challenges the house would face. He was short-sighted. He saw only the moment and the excitement of living in his new house. He did not ensure the safety, the future and the tests his house would have to survive.

A. When the storm came, the fool’s house was taken out and demolished by the circumstances.
Too many church builders find their foundation in fashionable, dated theology based upon the perceived needs of the people of a particular time (pre-modern, modern or post-modern) than on translating and putting to practice the absolute Word of Christ for the sake of the faith-needs of the generation they minister to.

The post WW. II tendency to want to build churches and denominations on other principles than historic creeds, absolute truth and obedience, yes, the foolish desire to promote a life of faith, without being concerned with faith content, is taking its toll in the current inability of the church to now weather storms that have been part of being the church since the beginning.

A review of the past year's research conducted by the Barna Group provides evident main patterns of how the religious environment is changing (this is a very short excerpt from their findings) :

1. The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.
What used to be basic, universally-known truths about Christianity are now unknown to a large and growing share of Christians --especially young adults. Few believe that their faith is meant to be the focal point of their life or to be integrated into every aspect of their existence.
2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.
Christians are becoming more spiritually isolated from non-Christians than was true a decade ago. Examples of this tendency include the fact that less than one-third of born again Christians planned to invite anyone to join them at a church event.
3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life.
When asked what matters most, teenagers prioritize education, career development, friendships, and travel. Faith is significant to them, but it takes a back seat to life accomplishments and is not necessarily perceived to affect their ability to achieve their dreams.
4. Among Christians, interest in participating in community action is escalating.
Largely driven by the passion and energy of young adults, Christians are more open to and more involved in community service activities than has been true in the recent past.
5. The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian Church.
Our biblical illiteracy and lack of spiritual confidence has caused Christians to avoid making discerning choices for fear of being labeled judgmental. The result is a Church that has become tolerant of a vast array of morally and spiritually dubious behaviors and philosophies.
6. The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible.
Culture is driven by the snap judgments and decisions that people make amidst busy schedules and incomplete information. With little time or energy available for research and reflection, it is people’s observations of the integration of a believer’s faith into how he/she responds to life’s opportunities and challenges that most substantially shape people’s impressions of and interest in Christianity.

Too many Christian leaders take the foolish man's approach to building faith communities: they go for short-cuts and quick results and instant satisfaction. Fashion theology in stead of eternal truth provides no security to the Faith community.
Instead of building Faith by building on the Word, Jesus Christ, and a relationship with God by means of worship, sound teaching of God’s word and earnest fellowship with God and fellow believers, fools try to get by with a fashionable word and a quick prayer when the storm comes up.

B. The wise man is the opposite of the foolish man. He wanted to build permanently. He wanted to build for the future. He wanted a house that would endure the storms that time would bring. He considered what could happen during various possible future scenarios - so he built his house on a foundation.

Jesus reminds us that the most significant and essential thing in the life of a Christian, is his or her foundation. The foundation seems irrelevant and inconsequential because it is out of sight. But if the foundation is done haphazardly and thoughtlessly, the structure will without doubt be destroyed.

When our congregation built our chapel 4 years ago, we had excellent scientists doing a lot of homework, providing us - or rather our engineers and builders – with detailed information. You see, we have a high risk of dolomite and its destructive consequences. We had to get the foundation right to ensure a long lasting, quality structure. The right foundation and protection of that foundation, was the key to successfully building our chapel on this land.
Fools cannot build on high risk land!

When it comes to faith, spirituality and our relationship with Christ, to building our lives, our families, our congregations and our denomination, we can never afford to take short-cuts. We simply have to make sure that we are building on the proper foundation.

C. The only foundation which we can build on, is Christ Jesus. This is Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 3. He writes: (1Cor 3:10b,11) “... each one should be careful how he builds, for no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

To build on anything but Christ is to play with disaster. For when the storms come, what you have built will be washed away, if you are not built upon the Rock that is Christ. Jesus said wise men put his words into practice! Only a fool will ignore what Christ said and what he did to secure our lives’ homes and trade it for the fashion theology of the day.

From the outside, at least, there is very little difference between the wise man and the fool. You find them both in the Church. Both seem to enjoy fellowship. They listen to the same Gospel. They may both be involved in the life and ministry of the church. It sometimes is hard to tell them apart.

Starting the New Year, we therefore have to look at our hearts. What do you see there? Do we see a wise man or a fool? Don't answer too quickly because they look so much alike.

Check your heart and resolutions against the following God inspired words:
(Mt 7:24) Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

(Mt 7:26) But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

(Mt 7:21) Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

The bottom line is – a wise person listens to and obeys Jesus, but the fool does whatever he pleases, in spite of what Jesus says.

D. It is therefore important to see if we have an obedient heart. Do we see faith working itself out in our daily lives and teaching? Do we see hearts that desire to worship, to learn and to abide by what Jesus expects?
Do you see the fruit and gifts of the Spirit? Do you see an eagerness to serve and love God?

Too many live only for the present, never give a thought to the future and refuse to think of eternity. These fools eat, drink, party, work, and collect material treasure without realizing that when the storm of judgement comes, all of this will be demolished by the ruling before the throne of God.
The wise man lives in the present, but is equipped for the future. He considers the future. He considers eternity. He therefore has to have the right foundation.

Back to the parable. Within the church of Jesus there are wise builders and foolish builders. There are those who build upon the Rock called Christ and put his words into practice. They are wise and they are safe.
And then there are fools!

May Christ and his gospel help us to be wise builders during 2011.
And may God bless us every step of the way!

2011 - Oordenking vir die Nuwe Jaar.

Gedurende 2011 - bou met wysheid.

Weet nie van jou nie, maar ek vind dit moeilik om van ’n gek en ’n dwaas te hou. Veral die soort wat dink hulle weet alles van die hele ding af, terwyl hulle niks van enige iets weet nie. “Gekke sekerheid” is meer as frustrerend, dis ook gevaarlik. Jesus het gesê dat mense wat nie na Hom luister nie, is soos ’n dwaas wat huise sonder fondamente bou.

Matteus 7:24-27: “Elkeen dan wat hierdie woorde van My hoor en daarvolgens handel, kan vergelyk word met 'n verstandige man wat sy huis op rots gebou het. Die stortreën het geval, vloedwaters het afgekom, winde het teen daardie huis gewaai en daaraan geruk, en tog het dit nie ingestort nie, want die fondament was op rots. En elkeen wat hierdie woorde van My hoor en nie daarvolgens handel nie, kan vergelyk word met 'n dwaas wat sy huis op sand gebou het. Die stortreën het geval, vloedwaters het afgekom, winde het teen daardie huis gewaai en daaraan geruk, en die huis het ingestort en is heeltemal verwoes.”

Wie sal waag om te sê ons lewe nie in tye waarin dwase wat hoë risiko aannames maak, groot skade kan aanrig nie? Wie wil 2011 onverstandig aanpak en toelaat dat sy lewe deur die uitdagings en versoekings wat voorlê weg gewas word?

Die probleem met dwaasheid is dat onverstandiges vas glo hulle is reg en dat dit selfs baie slim, akademies en “wetenskaplik” kan voorkom. In Jesus se gelykenis bou twee manne 2 huise wat op die oog af baie dieselfde lyk. Al twee wil graag huise hê waarin hulle gelukkig en veilig met hulle gesinne kan woon. Al twee huise lyk na effektiewe skuilings met deure, vensters, ’n uitsig en verskillende geriewe. ’n Verbyganger sal moeilik kan kies tussen die twee.

Maar daar is tog baie belangrike verskille tussen die twee mans en tussen hulle huise. Die belangrikste is dat die een man verstandig en die ander een ’n gek, of dan, ’n dwaas, is. Dit veroorsaak die belangrikste verskil tussen die huise wat hulle bou – die verstandige man bou sy huis op ’n fondament, maar die dwaas oorweeg nie die risiko’s en uitdagings wat sy huis in die toekoms sal moet trotseer nie. Hy sien net die opwinding van die oomblik raak. Hy wil so gou moontlik intrek. Hy oorweeg nie enige risiko’s nie. Hy maak nie seker dat sy huis die toets van die tyd sal deurstaan nie.

Toe die storm kom, vernietig dit die dwaas se huis onmiddellik. Die wyse, verstandige man se huis het bly staan.

Teveel Christene benader sake van geloof soos die dwase bouer. Hulle hou van vinnige antwoorde, spoedige resultate en kits satisfaksie. In plaas daarvan om hul geloof op te bou deur daagliks aan ’n verhouding met God te werk en goeie gewoontes kweek soos gereelde aanbidding en erediens bywoning, Bybel lees en gebed, volstaan hulle met skietgebedjies as die storm opkom.
Die verstandige man doen die teenoorgestelde. Hy wil hê sy huis moet altyd bly staan. Hy bou met die oog op die toekoms. Hy begeer ’n huis wat storms kan oorleef. Hy oorweeg die uitkoms van allerlei toekomstige scenario’s en daarom besluit hy om sy huis op ’n stewige fondament staan te maak.

Jesus herinner dat die belangrikste en mees essensiële realiteit vir ’n Christen sy of haar fondament is. Moenie soos die dwaas dink, dat omdat jy nie die fondament kan sien nie, maak dit nie saak nie. Die dwaas bou sonder berekenings en ondeurdag en stel net belang in wat sigbaar en ervaarbaar is. Die struktuur wat hy bou, vergaan.

Toe ons gemeente ons kapel gebou het, het uitstaande wetenskaplikes baie huiswerk gedoen om vir ons – of liewer ons ingenieurs en bouers - in besonderhede raad te gee. Jy sien, ons stukkie grond het hoë dolomiet risiko’s met moontlike destruktiewe eienskappe. Ons moes die fondament regkry om ’n struktuur te kon oprig wat lank veilig sal staan. Net die regte fondament, met net die regte beskerming vir daardie fondament, was die sleutel tot ’n suksesvolle bou projek.
Dwase kan nie op hoë risiko grond bou nie.

As dit by geloofsake en spiritualiteit en ons verhouding met Christus kom en as dit daarby kom om ’n veilige lewe te bou en die toekoms van ’n gesin of ’n gemeente of ’n kerk te verseker, is daar nie kortpaaie nie. Ons moet eenvoudig doodseker maak dat ons op die regte fondament bou.

Paulus sê daar is net een fondament waarop ons kan bou en dit is Christus Jesus. Hy skryf in 1 Korintiërs 3: 10 en 11: “Volgens die genade wat God my gegee het, het ek soos 'n goeie bouer die fondament gelê, en 'n ander bou daarop. Maar hy moet mooi kyk hoe hy verder bou, want niemand kan 'n ander fondament lê as wat reeds gelê is nie. Die fondament is Jesus Christus.”

Om op enige iets anders as Christus te bou, is om speletjies met rampspoed te speel. As die storms kom, sal alles wat jy gebou het weg gewas word. Daar is net een Rots en dit is Christus. Jesus het gesê die verstandige man handel volgens sy woorde. Net ’n gek en ’n dwaas ignoreer wat Christus gesê het as dit by die veiligheid van sy lewenshuis kom.

Uiterlik lyk die verstandige en dwase man se geloofslewe baie dieselfde. Jy vind albei in die erediens – hoewel die dwaas dikwels net die eerste paar maande van die jaar kom. Dit lyk of albei die samesyn van die gelowiges geniet. Hulle luister na dieselfde boodskap. Albei ondersteun die instandhouding van die bediening van Woord en Sakrament. Dis moeilik om hulle uitmekaar te ken, as jy net uiterlike dinge in ag neem.

Daarom moet ons aan die begin van ’n nuwe jaar goed en deeglik na ons harte kyk. Wat sien jy daar? ’n Verstandige man, of ’n dwase gek? Moenie te vinnig antwoord nie, want hulle lyk op die oog af teveel na mekaar.

Kyk weer na jou hart en voornemens en toets dit aan God-geïnspireerde woorde:
(Mt 7:24) Elkeen dan wat hierdie woorde van My hoor en daarvolgens handel, kan vergelyk word met 'n verstandige man wat sy huis op rots gebou het.

(Mt 7:26) En elkeen wat hierdie woorde van My hoor en nie daarvolgens handel nie, kan vergelyk word met 'n dwaas wat sy huis op sand gebou het.

(Mt 7:21) “Nie elkeen wat vir My sê: ‘Here, Here,’ sal in die koninkryk van die hemel ingaan nie, maar net hy wat die wil doen van my Vader wat in die hemel is.”

Die basiese waarheid is dat ’n verstandige mens na Jesus luister en aan Hom gehoorsaam is. ’n Dwaas maak soos hy wil, wat Jesus ook al sê.

Dis belangrik om gehoorsaam te wil wees. Om te wil sien dat wat ek glo in daaglikse liefde vir God en my naaste realiseer. Sien jy in jou hart die begeerte om te aanbid en om te leer en om te bly by wat Jesus verwag?

Sien jy in jou lewe die vrug en gawes van die Gees? Sien jy opgewondenheid daaroor om te dien en jou liefde vir God te wys?
Teveel mense leef net vir die oomblik, sonder om na die gevolge vir die toekoms ondersoek te doen. Baie weier om ewige gevolge te oorweeg. Dwase eet en drink, hou partytjie en werk en versamel aardse goed sonder om rekening te hou met hulle weerbaarheid wanneer die storm kom en of alles wat hulle gedoen het, sal bly staan voor die beoordeling van die Troon van God.

’n Verstandige mens lewe in die hier en nou, maar is paraat vir die toekoms. Hy oorweeg die uitdagings wat die toekoms inhou. Hy weet dat hy sonder God geen storm kan trotseer nie. Hy oorweeg die ewige gevolge van sy besluite. Hy bou op die fondament Christus en handel volgens die woorde van Jesus.

Terug na die gelykenis. Daar is verstandige en dwase bouers in die kerk van Jesus. Verstandiges bou op die Rots. Hulle sal veilig wees.
Maar daar is ook dwase, onverstandige, onkundige gekkerny wanneer dit by geloofsake kom.

Mag Christus, sy Woord en sy Kerk jou help om ’n verstandige bouer in 2011 te wees.
En mag God ons elke tree wat ons op op sy padgee, ryklik seën.

Christmas is a preparation to die in peace.

When you die, do you know what will happen to you? Donald Cargill, a faith hero in the history of the Presbyterian church in Scotland, knew exactly what was going to happen to him when he died. He was condemned for his Presbyterian faith and sentenced to the gallows in 1681, and beheaded in Edinburgh.

When he came to the scaffold, Cargill said these words, because he had faith and he knew where he was going after this life: As the drums were beaten and the executioner was ready to fulfil his gruesome task, he clearly said:
Now I am near to getting to my crown, which shall be sure; for I bless the Lord, and desire all of you to bless Him that He hath brought me here, and makes me triumph over devils, and men, and sin -- they shall wound me no more. I forgive all men the wrongs they have done to me, and pray the Lord may forgive all the wrongs that anyone have done against Him. I pray that sufferers may be kept from sin, and helped to know their duty.
Farewell reading and preaching, praying and believing, wanderings, reproaches, and sufferings. Welcome unspeakable joy full of glory.

Will you be able to speak similar words when the day comes when you will meet the Lord face to face?

In Luke 2: 29 we read a comparable statement by a faith hero who lived during the times when Christ was born. His name was Simeon and he was an elderly man. He too was ready to die, because he knew exactly what was going to happen to him after death. He says,
Luke 2:29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace."
"Let me die," he says. "Let me die in peace."

"Peace" can mean many things. For those living in war-stricken areas it would most probably mean the absence of military activity and the end of violence.

But the peace that Simeon speaks about here (just like the peace that Donald Cargill experienced on the gallows) is so much more than only the end of strife after warring madness.
No, Simeon speaks of the peace that believing men and women experience when they pass on to be with God. He speaks about the perfect peace when we go to be with Christ.

Simeon saw the Messiah in the temple on the 8th day after his birth. He took Jesus into his arms and saw the Comfort promised to God’s people to be real, to be born a human being - the beginning of the Messiah’s ministry of salvation. True peace that cannot be taken from us, even by death, is to meet the Christ of God and to start living in his presence, knowing his peace will be perfected when we see Christ the Lord, face to face.

"Let me die in peace," says Simeon. Simeon knew that he would receive the crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) in a place of glory. This is the peace he is talking about.

Do you know this peace? Do you know that you too will go to be with Jesus when you die? Only when you know this, Christmas truly happened in your heart and in your soul.
Then you have been prepared to live the joyous Christmas life here – and for all eternity.

Christmas 2010: Messiah is called mighty God.

The Bible tells us that it is only God who is truly mighty. The Lord is a warrior (Ex 15:3; Is 42:13). He more than anyone else does almighty acts in battle and defeats his enemies. It was the Lord, mighty in battle (Ps 24:8), who gave Israel victory after victory.

Isa 9: 2, 6 and 7: 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called… Mighty God. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

The Messiah is called "mighty." Like our LORD revealed in OT times, he is a warrior. He triumphs over his enemies. He defeats his enemies and my enemies. Our Messiah chases away darkness and establishes a Kingdom of peace and joy.

The Messiah is not only called "mighty" - he is also called "God." He is the warrior God. He is the God of absolute power. He is "Mighty God".
In the New Testament we hear Jesus saying, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me" (Mt 28:18). And, "Take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33b).

Have a blessed Christmas because you too believe that you follow and love a mighty Saviour, and expect a powerful salvation.
This is what we celebrate tomorrow, on Christmas Day: that Jesus, Mighty God, has come, and chased the darkness away.

Choose to serve the Son of the Most High this Christmas

An angel came to speak to Mary. To announce the birth of Messiah Jesus.
He calls her highly favoured and he calls her most blessed amongst women. Why?

The core answer to this question is found in Luke 1: 31 – 33:
Mary, you have found favour with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Mary is highly favoured because she would carry the King who will sit on David’s throne forever! The angel said "you have found favour with God." And later Elizabeth (verse 42) greeted her with the words: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Child you will bear."
Mary is highly favoured – by the Lord. She is blessed – by the Lord.

Mary was called blessed, not because of her virginity and not because of her humility, but because of her son. God gave to Mary a distinction that he gave to no one else in the history of the entire human race. God gave to Mary the privilege of giving birth to the Son of the Most High, the Second Person of the holy Trinity.

During the Christmas season we honour Mary as the mother of the eternal Son of God, as a man. Not to exalt Mary, but to faithfully confess Christ completely – to assert that the beloved Son of the Most High, was "born of a woman" (Gal 4:4).

Mary did more than just carry the Christ-child to term. She was also the mother who cared for the physical needs of Jesus the infant and boy. She nursed him and took care of him in every way a baby needs to be nurtured. With Joseph, she brought Jesus to the Temple to have him circumcised and presented to the Lord. With Joseph, she fostered him and taught him the ways of the God of Israel. With Joseph, she was the one who taught him to memorize and sing the Psalms and say the prayers and follow the rites of the Faith.

Mary was blessed, favoured by God - to bear and to nurture the Son of God, to be a mother to the Saviour.

Nobody else will ever again do what Mary was called to accomplish. Yet, at the foot of the cross, Jesus said to his best friend John – there is your mother.
A new family is formed at the foot of the cross of salvation. Where we all became mothers, fathers, sons and daughters and brothers and sisters, a family called to look after, to care for and to foster the body of Christ – his physical body on earth today, yes, his church! We receive grace and favour from God to be able to choose to commit our lives to prepare the bride of Christ to meet with him in order to celebrate the wedding feast of the Lamb.

May we through faith make this choice this Christmastide anew!
“Here I am, the servant of the Lord! May I accomplish everything the Lord has said to me!”

Advent 2010: Lord, come to us as everlasting Father

Isaiah tells us in Isa 9:6, 7 that the Messiah is called "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
The Messiah is, amongst other things, our "Everlasting Father."

Christ is like a father to us. The reason that God became one of us, a man of flesh and blood, was to care and provide for us, to protect us and always and in al circumstances be there for us.

When he is called “everlasting”, we come face to face with the Messiah as eternal God. In whatever way he decides to look after us, he can – he is able to – because he is our eternal God who will forever be a loving Provider to his people.

The truth is, that Messiah Jesus is everything we will ever need of a Saviour. He amongst many other things, is our "Everlasting Father." We can always expect compassion from him. We can always and forever come to him with our needs for mercy, love and forgiveness. Christ is always with us. Always listening and caring. We can always depend on him. Eternally he remains a father to his disciples.

Be blessed during this Advent Season when you realise that nothing can ever separate you from the love of God in Jesus our Saviour. He comes to us as a father. He will always be a father to us. Name whatever danger, problem or issue you may think about, and it will not be able to separate you from the love and care of Christ Jesus as our Everlasting Father.

Come Lord Jesus, and take care of me!

Advent 2010: Serving Messiah’s Kingdom

Mary, the mother of Jesus and Elizabeth, the mother of John the baptiser, were pregnant at the same time. And they had more in common: they were relatives, they were both on their first pregnancy, they both became pregnant through an almighty act of God, God sent the angel Gabriel to announce both births, and they both were given a child who played a key role in God's plan of salvation.

I am sure they wept together, laughed together, prayed together, shared the experiences of becoming mothers for the first time and encouraged one another spiritually, lifting one another up, during the three months they were together (Lk 1:56). Elizabeth must have had a major role in comforting and inspiring Mary to be able to complete her challenge and call within the coming of the Messiah. Elizabeth was to serve Mary and support her when she most needed the care, love and encouragement. Elizabeth served the coming of Messiah’s kingdom by serving her young relative, the Messiah’s mother.

The angel Gabriel visited Mary and told her about the virgin birth. Then he gave her a sign, a proof, that this would actually happen:
(Luke 1:36) Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.
When Mary heard this she "got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea" (Lk 1:39). Mary made haste out of obedience to the plan revealed to her by the angel, a plan which included the pregnancy of Elizabeth, and was confirmed by the pregnancy of Elizabeth. (Lk 1:36-37).

The visit began with Mary's greeting of Elizabeth. Mary could not have known of Elizabeth's status apart from God's revelation through the angel Gabriel. And Elizabeth was now, in turn, given a revelation of Mary's pregnancy, so that she could return Mary's greeting.

Elizabeth was given a revelation through the leap of joy of the child in her womb. The angel told Zechariah, her husband, that John the baptiser would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb (Lk 1:15). This meant he would be a prophet in spirit and power equal to that of the mighty prophet Elijah (Lk 1:17). John the baptiser started his prophetic ministry here, still in his mother’s womb, by leaping for joy, as a result of the presence of the Messiah in the womb of Mary. (Lk 1:41,44) Filled with the Holy Spirit, in response to the reaction of her son within her womb, Elizabeth realized that Mary was pregnant and that her child was the long expected Messiah.

In this Advent season our hearts too should leap with joy at the thought of the baby in Bethlehem's manger. We should feel John’s joy and celebrate that what the prophets of old had talked about, was finally coming to fulfilment. After all, Mary's baby is our Messiah, our Saviour and God’s only, eternal Son.

There should be a leap for joy, because we are reminded that all things are possible with God. The Saviour’s conception and birth is a sign that God can and does put aside the laws of nature, the natural order of things, in order to do his mighty will.

His kingdom comes and his will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Nothing could change his salvation plan. God was the main player in the first Christmas story and he is the main player in the coming of his kingdom today. The Mary’s, Josephs, Zechariahs, Elizabeths and shepherds of this world, you and I, are employed and deployed to share the Good News of him becoming part of our world, our lives, our faith and our eternal destination!
Glory to God in the highest!

Advent 2010. Praising God.

In Luke 2 we meet a "great company" of angels. "Suddenly," says Luke, "a great company of the heavenly host appeared... praising God" (Luke 2:13).

The angels sang their song of praise to the Lord, because of the "good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). And the "good news"is that "in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (vs 11). This is the best news ever proclaimed. To a mankind lost in sin, God has sent a Saviour, the promised Messiah. He will lead his people to victory over sin, death, evil and judgement.

This Messiah is our Saviour. He was born to save us, not the angels. Yet, the angels sing their song of praise to God. Even more than the angels we, during this Season should be singing "Glory to God," because of our Saviour's birth. The angels show us how to sing the praises of God.

Before the beginning of time, since their creation, the angels sang of God's glory. According to the Book of Revelation, John saw angels singing these same words before the throne of God. "Then I looked," says John, "and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne ... In a loud voice they sang: :
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise ... Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen! (Revelation 5:11,12; 7:12)

"Glory to God in the highest" means that only to God in heaven belongs honour, praise, and majesty. Men and angels do not give this "glory" to God. It is already his and will always be his from eternity to eternity. What the angels on Christmas eve did, and the angels before the throne are always doing, is recognising and acknowledging the glory that has always been God's.

We must learn from them. God's first commandment for our lives is, "You shall have no other gods before me." This simply mans: “Glory to God in the highest."
The first thing Jesus taught us to pray is, "Hallowed be Thy name."
This simply means: “Glory to God in the highest." All of our lives, must be directed towards the glory of God. God must always be first and always be praised.

When Christ's work in heaven and on earth is done, God will be "all in all" and "everything to everyone." Then all of God's creatures, all of creation will unite in one incredible choir; and, there will rise up to the throne of God one mighty refrain from all of creation: “Glory to God in the highest ... (because) in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you, and he is Christ the Lord."

Advent 2010: Finding faith with Zechariah

Zechariah’s name means, "The Lord remembers his covenant.” Zechariah was a godly, upright priest in Israel during the times when Mary became pregnant with Jesus. His wife Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth "were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly" (Lk 1:6). Combining priestly origins and heartfelt desire to observe God’s will and law, made Zechariah and Elizabeth represent the best of the faithful in Israel.
But they were also beyond their child bearing years and did not have any children.

In Zechariah the Lord remembered his covenant promises. He preserved a faithful priest from Aaron's house who would make the final preparations for preparing the way for the coming Messiah.

Then something extraordinary dramatic happened. The angel Gabriel appeared to priest Zechariah while he sacrificed incense in the temple. The angel said that God remembered his promises about the Messiah. God was continuing his plan of salvation as promised even to Abraham centuries before. And, that a son to be born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the baptiser, would prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.

Zechariah could hardly believe what he was hearing.
Lk 1:18: "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years" he said to the angel. What God promises is often so much beyond human ability, that it is simply unbelievable.

God made many “unbelievable” promises: Grace and forgiveness for people who do not deserve it. A role and ministry for regular sinners to accomplish his Kingdom plans. Rebirth and sanctification for those very regular sinners, to restore them by grace through faith into a royal priesthood to work for him - and I may be one of them.
God promised more than the forgiveness of sins. He promised the resurrection of the body, life everlasting and a new heaven and new earth.
We, like Zechariah, also often cannot stop ourselves from asking "How can I be sure of this?"

So God gave Zechariah a sign. Zechariah was turned speechless before the might and grace of God. He would be mute until God made his promise to become true when John the baptiser was born.

As we look at all that God did to guarantee the details of the Christmas story and how he guided the elected role players to participate, we cannot help but be awestruck by the power and the grace of God.
We too are often humbled when our doubts are gloriously turned into amazement as to how God makes the gospel truth become true in our lives and the lives of fellow believers. We too find faith when we cannot help to see that "nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37) We too are muted by amazement when we unexpectedly are given faith that knows that nothing is beyond our Lord.

Because the only hero and star of the Christmas story, is God.
He is behind everything that happened that first Christmas. And he continues to be an awe-inspiring God as he also in our lives remembers his covenant promises, carries out his plan of salvation and guide us to the purposes of our existence.
We too will one day be speechless when he comes on the clouds to bring his perfect and holy Kingdom to final and complete fruition!
The Lord’s advent frees us from unbelief and makes us expecting and awaiting the impossible.
Glory to God in the highest!

Advent 2010: Waiting with Simeon

Simeon was an elderly man who lived at the time of the birth of Jesus. God revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Lk 2:26.) We are told that Simeon "was waiting for the salvation of Israel." He was a believer who held on to God’s promises and Word.

As a believing man, Simeon was waiting for the prophecies of the coming Messiah to take place. Then one day Simeon was moved by the Spirit to go to the temple to see the Christ. How excited he must have been! You can be sure that he went as quickly as he possibly could. His waiting was almost done. He would finally cry out that the salvation of Israel and the kingdom of God had come.

When he entered the temple, Simeon saw Joseph and Mary with Baby Jesus. Somehow he knew that Baby Jesus is the One he had been waiting for and praying to see for all those years. He held out his arms. He took the Child and praised God with these words: Lk 2: 28 – 32: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Most of Israel’s believers were waiting for Messiah's birth. But when the Messiah did come, only a handful of people recognised him.
Many who are waiting for Jesus, begging for peace, joy and salvation in their lives, do not recognise him when he comes to them.

None of us, not a single one, can go in peace unless we have met the Saviour of all men, our Redeemer from sin. I therefore have to ask: have you met the Saviour? Have you truly seen the Christ?

The Saviour has already come. It is also true that someday he will come again. So we too, like Simeon, eagerly wait and pray for his coming. We are filled with hope and great anticipation.

During this season, like Simeon, hold out your hands, your arms and your hearts, to receive him.
We are waiting for the coming of Jesus with Simeon and with all the believers of every generation. He stands knocking at the door of our lives. Let’s let him enter with great joy. And, when he returns on the clouds, or when he comes to take us to be with him, we will go in peace and joy, for we have see the salvation of the sovereign Lord!
Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly Lord!

Advent: STOP SAYING NO TO JESUS

"Remember that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it, is sin”, James 4:17.

Most people with a conscience at least sometimes feel guilty about sinful things they did. But what about the times we offend God because of the things he expects us to do, and we have not done it, called the “sins of omission”?

The story in Matt 2, about the Wise Men in search of Christ teaches an important message about sins of omission.

We all remember that king Herod’s reaction to the news that THE Christ was born, was one of hatred and attempted murder of the Christ-child. These feelings were eventually shared by the religious leaders Herod consulted in Jerusalem. They were disturbed by the Wise Men, the Bible says. Even though they revealed the location of his birth to King Herod, they did not consider going along with the wise men in search of the promised Messiah. No, they wished that the Wise Men were wrong about his birth. They did not want to worship the Child. It was simply too much to ask of them to have their well organised lives disturbed by the birth of the King.

Silently wishing that what God expects of me will just go away unnoticed if I ignore him long enough, is only a step away from outright hatred of it. When Jesus began his public ministry 30 years later, what was the response to Jesus of this disturbed group of religious leaders? It was one of outright hatred!

In the parable about the sheep and the goats on the judgement day, written in Matt 25:31-46, Jesus accuses the ‘goats’ on his left hand of sins of omission. He accuses them of work which they knew they had to do for God, but didn't! We cannot forget these words of Jesus: "I was hungry, but you did not feed me, I was thirsty but you did not quench my thirst, I was naked but you did not clothe me and ....."I kept sending you bible-based messages, sermons, bible studies, e-mails, blogs, but you never cared to accept them for what they are - the word of the living God!” (This last sentence does not appear in Matt 2 – but I believe Jesus wants to say it to some of us today.)

May you be blessed this Season, when you hear the good news about the King of Heaven who was born in Bethlehem, by surrendering completely to him, faithfully worshipping him with the Wise Men, seeking him, finding him, honouring him with gifts, loving him and following him with all your heart.

Being disturbed by the demands that Christ makes in our lives and on our lives so often lead to hating his demands (and eventually even hating him!) And it leads to the attempted murder of his Body, the Church. But when we worship him, expect him, wait for him, are ready for him, find hope, peace, joy and love through him, we will not be disturbed by his demand to follow him with all our heart. He will change our hearts and our lives and our eternal destination.

STOP SAYING “NO” TO JESUS THIS ADVENT SEASON.
For he certainly is coming back to ask you why you did.

Advent 2010: Worship with Mary

Mary,the mother of Jesus, glorified God in a song. In her song she said that the name of God is holy. What name did she have in mind? In her song she called God "LORD," "God my Saviour," and "Mighty One."

Mary, of course, was raised a Jew and knew God by all his Hebrew names. She knew him as El-Shaddai — this is "God of the Mountains" or "The Almighty God" with all power, might and strength. She knew him as El-Elyon — this is "The Most High God" or "The Exalted One." She knew him as El-Olam — this is "God of Eternity," the God above and beyond time and space, the God who is sovereign for all eneternity. She knew him as El-Berith — this is the "God of the covenant," the God who remains faithful from generation to generation. She knew him as Adonai — this is "Lord," a title of authority, rule and honour. She knew him as Ancient of Days, Rock, Refuge, Fortress, Shield, Sun, Refiner. She knew him as Judge, Shepherd, and Father.

You may wonder why the Lord is described by so many names? Because the beauty, the fullness, and the magnificence of God cannot be expressed by just one name.

When reading the New Testament we find there are as many different names for Jesus as there are for God.
Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone, the Living Bread, the Hidden Treasure, the Way, Life and Truth, the Sure Foundation, the Great Physician, the Great Teacher, Lord of the Harvest, the Rock of Ages, the True Vine, the Righteous Judge, the True Witness, the Good Tidings of Great Joy, the Wisdom of God, the Good Master, the Giver of Rest, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, the Son of the Living God, the Saviour, the Redeemer and Lord of all!

Why Jesus is described by so many names? Because the beauty, the fullness, and the magnificence of Jesus cannot be expressed by just one name.

Why did Mary praise the name of God? An angel appeared to Mary, called her blessed and favoured and announced her privilege to give birth to the Messiah, although she would remain a virgin. The angel also announced that her cousin, Elizabeth, is going to have a child. And then the angel adds this: "For nothing is impossible with God."

No wonder Mary glorified the holy Name of the Lord. The Mighty One does great things to save his people. As Mary put it, God:
"has been mindful of the humble state of his servant ...(51) He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. (54) He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful (55) to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." (Luke 1:48, 51, 54,55) ...

From Mary’s example we learn how to respond to God’s holy majesty. We respond in praise and worship. We sing great songs and carols. We worship him. We praise his holy Name! This is what Mary did when she realized the holiness of God’s Name. She said, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour ..." (Lk 1:46-47).

We also should respond in worship when the coming Kingdom of the Christ of God is proclaimed to us. When Mary was commissioned by God to become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit and carry the Son of God, she said "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Lk 1:38). She did not argue, complain or whine. She surrendered to God and his plan for her life. She became a follower of Christ even before she became his mother.

The Mighty God who acted so powerfully the first Christmas, is able to do everything. Nothing is impossible with God, the angel said to Mary. To him we also want to be obedient. Like Mary, we also want to worship our awesome God.
"Holy is his name."