I can recommend this sermon given by Pastor Richard Utber (Nowra Baptist Church). Pastor Richard addresses the issues raised in Chapter 6 and 7 of Amos. It’s about God’s judgment on the northern Kingdom of Israel – whose people were more interested in living the ‘good’ life; as God said: ” … you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.”  It sounds a warning message to us, in the western world: ours – is a time and place where many waste their life on ‘feasting and lounging’, to satisfy their own selfish desires.

Amos 6 (NLT): ”Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!

Go to Calneh and look at it; go from there to great Hamath, and then go down to Gath in Philistia. Are they better off than your two kingdoms? Is their land larger than yours?

You put off the evil day and bring near a reign of terror.

You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves.

You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.

The Sovereign LORD has sworn by himself – the LORD God Almighty declares: ”I abhor the pride of Jacob and detest his fortresses; I will deliver up the city and everything in it.”

If ten men are left in one house, they too will die. And if a relative who is to burn the bodies comes to carry them out of the house and asks anyone still hiding there, “Is anyone with you?” and he says, “No,” then he will say, “Hush! We must not mention the name of the LORD.” For the LORD has given the command, and he will smash the great house into pieces and the small house into bits.

Do horses run on the rocky crags? Does one plow there with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness – you who rejoice in the conquest of Lo Debar and say, “Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength?”

For the LORD God Almighty declares, “I will stir up a nation against you, O house of Israel, that will oppress you all the way from Lebo Hamath to the valley of the Arabah.”

Amos 7 (NLT): “This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king’s share had been harvested and just as the second crop was coming up. When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, “Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!” So the LORD relented. “This will not happen,” the LORD said.

This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: The Sovereign LORD was calling for judgment by fire; it dried up the great deep and devoured the land. Then I cried out, “Sovereign LORD, I beg you, stop! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!”  So the LORD relented. “This will not happen either,” the Sovereign LORD said.

This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” “A plumb line,” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. 

“The high places of Isaac will be destroyed and the sanctuaries of Israel will be ruined; with my sword I will rise against the house of Jeroboam.”

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. For this is what Amos is saying: ” ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.’ “

Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.”

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now then, hear the word of the LORD. You say, ” ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and stop preaching against the house of Isaac.’

“Therefore this is what the LORD says: ” ‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be measured and divided up, and you yourself will die in a pagan country. And Israel will certainly go into exile, away from their native land.’ “

Posted on December 5th, 2009 by Shayne
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I’ve heard that the number of Christians killed, in various countries, is increasing. I don’t have the means to verify the various news reports from Christian based organisations – but I do think these reports need to have wider coverage in the western media. What’s you view?

For example, I recently read this report: “Islamic extremists controlling part of the Somali capital of Mogadishu this month executed a young Christian they accused of trying to convert a 15-year-old Muslim to Christianity.
 
Members of the Islamic extremist group al Shabaab had taken 23-year-old Mumin Abdikarim Yusuf into custody on Oct. 28 after a 15-year-old boy reported him to the militants … Yusuf’s body was found on Nov. 14.  Before Yusuf was executed by two shots to the head, … there are reports that Yusuf’s body showed signs of torture; all of his front teeth were gone, and some of his fingers were broken. … “

Somali is a  country where the normal government procedures  used to maintain law and order,  have collapsed.

What is the western world’s answer to this type of situation?

Posted on December 4th, 2009 by Shayne
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I was just looking at a web-site in Sydney, which represents the interests of a major Christian denomination.

Here are the titles of some of the current articles, on their site: 

1. Leaving a church badly
2. Baptise those Babies!
3. Too many ministry apprenticeships?
4. The Gentleness of Scripture
5. Jumping on the secular bandwagon
6. Jingle all the pay!
7. 30 web apps to do ministry on the cheap

Given the season – we are approaching – I just sometimes wonder about the priorities some people appear to have adopted. Have you read or seen anything of interest that may help us – rediscover Jesus, for Christmas?

Posted on December 3rd, 2009 by Shayne
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I read in the December edition of the Southern Cross, that the recent Jesus All About Life (JAAL) campaign in New South Wales was reasonably successful. An analysis showed that over 80% of the people, polled in a survey, reported that they experienced the campaign in some form.  The TV advertisements were received with a ‘moderately positive’  response, by the gen Y age-group – one of main groups targeted by the campaign.

An interesting statistic was the number of unique visits that the JAAL website recorded – close to 150,000.  Personally, I think the number of visits would have been higher if there was more activity on the site - that is, better coverage of events and some reporting on various individual’s  reactions to the TV advertisements or church activities.

It’s good to know that the vast majority of people were positive about the campaign’s message. Yet, it’s somewhat sad that many churches appear to have returned to a ‘business, as usual’ stage – and work in the harvest field has resumed its ‘normal’ pace.

Posted on December 3rd, 2009 by Shayne
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A new advertisement for the ‘Jesus, All About Life’ campaign, will be shown tonight (Sunday, 27/9) on mainstream TV channels, which cover the greater, Sydney area.

It is a new ad, replacing earlier ones used by the campaign in other areas – the changes resulting from recent market research. You can view the ad on the ‘Jesus, All About Life’, wed site.

I’ve watched it a few times – and, I’m not sure what sort of impression it will make. It ends with ‘Jesus has answers’. I guess it encourages people to ask their Christian friends what the answer is to the main issue: why does a good God allow pain, suffering and fear; along with joy, happiness and peace. Well, I think, there is no satisfactory answer for those who don’t have a relationship with God. Maybe, I’m wrong?

If you have time, please have a look at the advertisement and tell me what you think?

***

On the same topic, the Weekend Australian newspaper (26 September 2009), contained an article written by Caroline Overington. Here are some of the interesting things, she wrote: ‘THEY argue about pretty much everything else but every Christian church in Australia accepts that Jesus is central to their faith. Without him, they’ve got nothing. …

The campaign is being billed as the largest and most expensive marketing exercise for Jesus in Australia and it features a television commercial …  The TV ad shows ordinary Australians asking the eternal questions — “How are we to live? Why should we have to die?” — and being encouraged to seek answers from Jesus. “

Campaign co-creator Daniel Willis said those with “negative feelings about the church” were being targeted. “We’re raising awareness of Jesus the man, … ”. ‘ 

I thought to myself, well, Caroline shows a more profound understanding than most when she writes, ‘Jesus is central to their faith. Without him, they’ve got nothing.’ Then Daniel Willis heads in another direction by being reported as saying, ‘We’re raising awareness of Jesus the man.’  That latter statement should not be left, to stand alone, it must always be supported by, ‘ … and, our Lord and our God’.

[John 20:24-29 (NLT): "Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"  But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."]

Posted on September 27th, 2009 by Shayne
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A week or so ago, the Australian media contained reports that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had resorted to swearing to strengthen his disapproval, of fellow parliamentary members complaining, about a cut to their annual printing allowance.

News Limited has reported: “Australia’s Kevin Rudd has refused to apologise for repeatedly swearing during a meeting with factional bosses earlier this month, saying the “robust conversation” was consistent with Labor Party traditions. A number of MPs copped some expletives when they visited the prime minister’s parliament house office to object to plans to cut politicians’ annual printing allowances by 25%. The prime minister said in the presence of three female MPs: “I don’t care what you f***ers think“.

Today, I was listening to a couple of commentators on a local Christian radio station talk about this case. One comment stood out – that probably his habit of swearing in this, and similar cases, was due to his uncontrolled anger. Anger resulting from having his authority or views questioned by others within his sphere of influence.

The second point raised was that it’s not uncommon to hear swearing in the workplace, yet at the same time there was an increasing awareness of workplace bullying and the need to address this issue by providing a safe and non-threatening work environment. Consequently, the Prime Minister should lead by example, control his language – and not go with the mob, in regard to traditions (which should be left back in the past where they belong).

The last point is this, Kevin Rudd is recognised by the community as a Christian politician – and there are many news clips of him attending a Sunday church service, especially when he is travelling overseas.  One thing, I’ve noticed over the years, is that most Christians don’t normally swear. It may take some time, and a lot of help from the Holy Spirit, but people who follow on the heels of Jesus – don’t seem to swear that much. Even if, they hit a finger with a hammer, and an expletive escapes their lips – they are quick with an apology.

As it is with most of these habits, it’s the reason for the swearing, that highlights if there is anything ‘wrong’. If it’s the result of anger, or impatience, or a type of power-play to intimidate others-  it’s really an expression of their pride. Their opinion, time or position is more important than that of others; and, perfectly summed up in the phrase, ‘I don’t care what you think’. Pride is one of the worst of sins. In summary, a humble heart does not swear in anger or impatience, their love for people erases the desire to intimidate or threaten others.

What do you think?

Posted on September 27th, 2009 by Shayne
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I’ve just had a quick scan of the various mainstream media outlets.  My main interest was to see if there was much reporting on the start of the ’Jesus, All About Life’ campaign.

I didn’t find much at all, which given the first flush of signs I would have thought may have captured some-one’s attention in the media world.

Yet, I think that the more I looked, the more I realised that there was little reporting in the media, of anything to do with Jesus. Is it my imagination, or have others noticed the same thing?

Posted on September 14th, 2009 by Shayne
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In my area (the general Sydney and surrounding areas, New South Wales, Australia), a campaign has started, called; ‘Jesus, All About Life’.

The major Christian denominations are involved, including Catholics - and that’s a first in many regards. Last Friday, many churches put up ‘Jesus, All About Life’ signs, all of a similar design – to show the unity of the Christian message.

In addition, a lot of supporting material has been distributed, and most of it , is very good. I like the main theme: ‘Jesus said, “I have come to give life in all its (spiritual) abundance’ [John 10:10].

Here’s an extract from the campaign’s eight page booklet: ‘So what is this life all about? There are three basics: 1. Being secure. This doesn’t mean personal security so that nothing will ever go wrong, but the security of knowing that God loves you and cares for you. It means you don’t need to be afraid of being alone or of what’s going to happen at the end of your life. God promises to look after us now and in the future. 2. Having a point. Living can feel pointless. You get up, go to work, find something to fill in the day, then go to bed, day after day. In the end you ask – “what’s the point?” Jesus said that life is firstly about following Him and then about helping others. 3. Joyful living. Much of what we do can actually stop us from experiencing joy. When people get older, it’s so easy to look back after 30 or 40 years of work and ask, “Is this it?”

Surely there’s more to life? Jesus tells us that when we live our lives in line with what He said, we will be able to look back and see that our life has meaning and purpose.’ Only one comment , instead of the heading ‘Being Secure’, I would have preferred, ‘Life, in God’s love’.

Today, I drove around my local area – with some hope that I would see lots of signs – I didn’t – but, I did see a few.

Here’s an excerpt from the campaign’s web site: “…  a prime-time media campaign that presents the words of Jesus to the community, will run from September 15th for six weeks … “. The media campaign is about getting people motivated to ask Christians – ‘what is this all about?’  The outcome is for Christians to share their faith with other members of their community.

In summary, I though that the words of Rev Graham Fairbairn, about this campaign, in his weekly bulletin, captures well, the vision of this campaign: “The Jesus. All About Life campaign, while not directly challenging the stereotypes people have about us as Christians, is designed to present Jesus as a person who is worth listening to (because He is God, my addition) and whose claims are worth considering. When we are seeking to engage with outsiders about the Christian faith we need to listen carefully to what they think and say about Christians and the Church – are we too judgmental or hypocritical or moralistic? At times we need to agree with them about the failures of the Church to live up to the standards and values of Jesus.

But we also need to present the real Jesus to them as we meet him in the Gospels. Their attitude to Jesus is far more important than their attitude to us. He is the one who challenges all of us to leave the comfort and security of our own habits and preconceived ideas, to consider his call to live in a way that is radically different, and to submit to his Lordship, knowing that when we do so, his grace and mercy will fill our loves and overflow from us to others.”

Posted on September 13th, 2009 by Shayne
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Now and then, you read something – often simple, but which has a profound effect.

I received a comment, a few days ago, which read: “Please help me to understand the Bible.”

The truth is: I can’t help anyone to understand God’s written word. God Himself helps those who seek to understand His ways, as recorded in His ‘love letters’ to His faithful remnant. The Spirit of God works within the heart of each one of us – to provide such understanding that enables us to continue our journey, and grow in Christ-like maturity.

It’s through prayer – the way we talk to God; the type of prayer where we put our concerns, our desire to learn more about HIm, at the foot of HIs throne. He loves us so much that He will always respond - He will enable us – to understand as much as we need to know, at that point in time.

Love Jesus, with all your heart, mind and spirit – and He will help you to understand the Bible. In this area – I am only His servant – I can only point to the way; the one, and only true way.

Posted on August 2nd, 2009 by Shayne
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I’ve just returned from a holiday and just catching up on the news. One article I read was about the Episcopalians (Anglican Church in the USA), who recently overturned a moratorium on the consecration of practising lesbian or homosexual bishops.

As an aside, I think the debate on homosexuality is out of balance, because the debate does not put equal weight on all the other sins. As an example, the sin of anger or the sin of looking lustfully at another person, who is not our husband or wife (in any type of media – pictures [papers, magazines], movies, videos); are all in the same category – they all separate us from God.

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he writes (5:16-26, NIV): “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

No one can deny that there is discord, dissension and factions within the Anglican ‘communion’ – something is wrong; and Scripture is very prescriptive about the process to be employed.  In an odd way, I think, the spotlight is not on the Episcopal Church in America but on those who claim to follow the true gospel. The reason is this: they claim that their views are biblical based – therefore their response also has to be biblical based – and that response does not (cannot) included continued communion with a group who believe in a different gospel.

I’ll leave the conclusion to Paul, Galatians1:6-9 (NIV): “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”

Posted on July 29th, 2009 by Shayne
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