As another year draws to a close it is useful to look back and reflect on what has happened this past year, not just in the world around us, but also in our personal lives. Often on New Year’s eve, Psalm 90 is read, and why not. This Psalm is ascribed to Moses and it takes the form of a prayer. In verses 1-2, the Psalmist acknowledges God’s power, greatness and His eternity. In contrast, verses 3-6 highlights our frailty. In verses 7-12, the Psalmist speaks about our sinfulness and its consequences, namely death. In the closing verses, 13-17, the Psalmist calls on God to bless them with His wisdom so that they may count their days correctly, as well as show His compassion towards them and to bless them with happy days, so that they can tell others about Him as their great God.
Sometimes people accuse Christians of using God as a crutch and perhaps there is some truth to that, but what a good crutch to have. Who can we compare to Him? Where would we be without Him? Where would we be without His sustaining grace this past year? And then looking forward, to whom would we look for help as we enter into a New Year? Moses reminds us that the one who trusts in God has a secure “dwelling place” (refuge) in Him for our God is from eternity to eternity and His faithfulness stretches from one generation to the next. In direct contrast to God’s eternity, we know that earth has no permanence about it at all. We may like to think we can put down deep roots and last forever, but the Psalmist (and reality) reminds us that we are like grass or a flower in the field. We blossom and bloom for a short while in the dew of the morning and then the sun dries us and we’re gone and no one remembers us. Moses (v4) and the Apostle Peter (2 Pet 4:8), reminds us that with the Lord a thousand years is like a day and a day like a thousand years. Moses’ point is not that time passes quickly for God, but that it passes quickly for us. In my ministry, I have the opportunity to visit many elderly people, occasionally on their birthdays. Some are pleased they have been granted many years and are remembered by the cards and well wishes they receive, but in the end, unless the Lord returns, they too will be swallowed up by death and their place remembered no more. Thankfully, the Psalmist doesn’t end on that note but gives us some instructions going forward. First, the Psalmist calls upon us to count every day and every moment as a gift from God. So instead of being poor mathematicians, let us count and live each day, knowing that it may possibly be our last day. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan for the future or work hard, we must and it is our duty to do so. However, let us do it to God’s glory and call on the Lord to help us live holy lives. May we not be like the rich man who kept building bigger and better barns so that he could live a life of luxury. This rich man did not give God or His glory a thought and Jesus tells us that such a man is a fool! (Luke 12:13-20). “Only one life! ’Twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” Second, it is only when we acknowledge each day as a gift from the Lord that we can sing and be glad all our days. When God fills our hearts with His love, not least for our salvation, we will be most satisfied. So don’t place your trust in man or in ‘things’ or to building bigger and better barns without having a godly focus. Saint Augustine prayed, “You made us for yourself, and our hearts find no peace until they find rest in you.” Third, the Psalmist asks God to establish the work of his hands. While we have breath, redeemed by Christ, we have work to do. Let us find out, guided by God’s word, what that work is and do it to His glory! So in light of our great salvation and the few ‘short’ years we have, let us be a blessing to others in the New Year, so that when our years are done, we may hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Have a blessed New Year.
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There are a number of great events on the church calendar year which we focus on throughout the year. For instance, in the past, some of our churches have focused on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Pentecost, Ascension Day, Reformation Day as well as the six-week period of Lent and of course the four-week period of Advent.
The two main periods are Christmas and Easter, and it is good to focus for a moment on both these in the final week of Advent. The very thing that is obvious is that both were necessary. The writer to the Hebrews connects both events in Ch 2:14, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil.” We know from Scripture that when man sinned, the just sentence from God was death (Gen 3:19; Rom 6:23). Hence, since mankind sinned, our Saviour had to share in their humanity, taking on our flesh and blood, otherwise, He would not have been able to save those God had chosen unto eternal life beforehand (Eph 1:4). Although we understand this to be the case as taught in Scripture, we should not belittle this event. We are speaking about a mystery that is in many ways too wonderful for us to fully comprehend. Before Christ came as a baby in a manger, He was the eternal Word and was with God and was God at Creation (John 1:1). He clothed his deity with flesh and blood and became fully man whilst also remaining fully God (Phil 2:5ff). He came as a baby and became fully man with one main purpose in mind, to save sinners who repent and believe. He came to secure their salvation which meant He came to die as a man and that is why He took on our humanity. Man sinned and could no longer save himself and hence a sinless man had to die to satisfy the justice of God. Good Friday, therefore, is inextricably connected to Christmas Day and is indeed the reason for the festivities at this time of year. However, it wasn’t only God’s justice that needed to be met for man’s sin by our Saviour’s death, but by his death, he would destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil. The baby born in Bethlehem did this by covering our sin with his perfect righteousness through His sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection (Rom 3:21ff). Hence, when we stand before the judge of all the earth, no legitimate accusations can be levelled at us, because they are all covered by the broken body and shed blood of our Saviour. What was previously Satan’s weapon against us, our sin, has been taken care of by the baby born on Christmas Day on Good Friday. What does this all mean? The debilitating fear of death has been taken away and it no longer has hold over us (v15). We can now rejoice in the Saviour Whom God has provided and in thankful response live in the joy of our salvation every day. Have a blessed Christmas enjoying God’s greatest gift of His Son to us and while you’re at it, tell others about this gift too. JZ. There are always ‘things’ that happen that defy human reason and logic. Everything that happens in this world doesn’t always have a logical explanation, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen or that somehow we have to demythologize the event so that we won’t look silly trying to explain.
In the Old Testament, there are several events that seem to defy human logic or explanation. For instance, the talking serpent (Gen 3); that people lived for more than nine-hundred years (Gen 5 - can we really understand that in light of what we see in our own bodies today?); The flood (Gen 6); the plagues in Egypt (Exo 7ff); the parting of the Red Sea (Exo 14); the daily manna from heaven and the supply of quail (Exo 16); the talking donkey (Numbers 22); that the Sun stood still for a day (Jug 10:13); the tumbling walls of Jericho (Josh 6); Jonah in the belly of a big fish (Jonah), and so on. In the New Testament, it continues. The virgin birth, the conception by the Holy Spirit; the angel’s visits (Mat 1), the miracles of Jesus (Gospels) and the disciples (Acts); the Damascus Road experience (Acts 9); the release of Paul and Silas after a great earthquake (Act 16) and so on. At this time of year, one of the events around Jesus’ birth that always seems to raise considerable interest and baffles our curiosity is this ‘star’ that the Magi followed from the East to Jerusalem (Mat 2:2). It raises all sorts of questions. The text doesn’t tell us that it led them as the pillar of cloud led the OT people in the wilderness. The ‘star’ didn’t just bring them to Jerusalem, it also brought them the 7.1 kilometres to Bethlehem from Jerusalem (v9). And then this ‘star’ rests over where the baby Jesus was lying (v10). How do we explain this phenomenon that seems to defy human reason and logic? The answer is quite simple really – we cannot, for we don’t really know how it happened. That doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, but we finite, limited, mortal human beings don’t know how God performed this miracle. We just accept that he did, for Scripture records that it happened. In the past, people have tried to explain this miraculous event by suggesting that it was a ‘shooting star’; or the planets were all lined up and this caused a star to be brighter than all the rest for a short time; or an eclipse, or as some suggest, it is just a fable and didn’t really happen. Well, it did happen for the Bible says it did, period. There is a real danger in spending too much time trying to find logical explanations for everything that occurs in Scripture, especially these miraculous events. Furthermore, it has the negative impact of robbing us of the joy of the gospel and the great event these miracles are pointing to, namely Jesus Christ and the wonderful salvation we have in Him. It seems that the story of the ‘star’ has primarily one purpose, to bring people from a foreign land (Gentiles if you will), to worship the One and Only True King. And the One who is causing this star to move and guide these Gentiles is none other than God Himself. Surely, it is not beyond the power of the One who created all things, including the stars above, to move this little star to do His bidding! So this Christmas, don’t get too hung up about the ‘star’. Rather, let us do as the Magi did, bow down and worship the King who came as a babe, lived amongst us for thirty odd years and then gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our forgiveness and salvation, which by the way, is perhaps the greatest miracle of all. Oh, one more thing. Nothing much has changed since the day the Magi were directed by the ‘star’ to the new King to worship. I would suggest that is still God’s will for the nations to come, worship and acknowledge Jesus as King, which is also how Matthew’s gospel finishes. However, instead of using ‘stars’, God in His wisdom uses us to bring the good news to the nations and with His blessing lead them to the King. It’s quite apparent, our work is not yet done! JZ During the week I was chatting with a friend and he asked how our plans for the upcoming Europe trip were going. After making a few comments about it, I concluded by mentioning the date we hope to leave and that is when the ‘adventure’ would begin. My friend then noted that the first part of that word is also what we use for this time of the year, ‘Advent’. The definition of ‘Advent’ according to the dictionary is, “the coming into place, view, something exciting about to happen.”
This Sunday is the beginning of the ‘advent’ season, the first Sunday of four, before the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Although I am personally not such a ‘church-calendar’ man, it is good to sometimes remember these specific events, for they too can easily pass us by if we’re not careful. Of course, in some ways, every Sunday should be an ‘advent’ Sunday, for we come together to worship the Saviour who was born of a woman, lived amongst us for thirty-three years and then made the ultimate, perfect sacrifice for our sin. Unfortunately, we sometimes become so used to that good news, that it doesn’t excite us anymore and if we are not careful, it all becomes a little dull and boring. So it is good to be excited about ‘advent.’ It is good to be excited about the fact that Jesus took a huge step-down from His exalted position to become our Saviour. It’s exciting to know that He became one of us (sin excepted) and made His dwelling with sinful man. It’s exciting to know that Jesus in perfect obedience to His Father, did not think equality with the Father something to be grasped but made himself like us so that He could redeem all those whom the Father has appointed unto eternal life (Phil 2:5ff). There is nothing dull or boring about those truths, for without Jesus we would have nothing to be excited about. Without Him, there would be no forgiveness of sin, no peace that passes understanding, no eternal life for all who believe. So it is good to be excited about ‘advent’. Interestingly, the thought of total obedience to the Father, the shame of being ‘cursed’ on the cross outside the city, and the redemption of all the Father has appointed to eternal life, filled Jesus’ with joy as well (Heb 12:2). Despite the fact that the road of total obedience to the Father in heaven meant suffering (Heb 2:10) and abandonment for Jesus, He willing endured, even to the point of shedding his blood and dying an agonising death. Thankfully, death could not hold Him and He rose to be seated at the Father’s right hand, a place of absolute authority. I am not too sure what exciting adventures you are planning over the Christmas season. Whatever they may be, may our excitement about Jesus’ coming never diminish, but cause us to look forward with the same excitement to His second coming. JZ I am somewhat surprised how many people, including some Christians, who have become unsettled with Mr Donald Trump’s election as President-elect. Some suggest that he is too rash, a little like a loose cannon. Others suggest that his foreign policy is far too confronting. Some suggest that he is not fit to have the nuclear codes in his hands. Others suggest that the policy towards illegal immigrants and Muslims is far too harsh. Still, others suggest that his ‘locker-room’ talk indicates that he is not morally fit for office.
Well, I am sure some of these concerns are justified, and sure, he has said some rather rash and unsavoury things. I too have my misgivings, but to be fair, I would probably have had them if Mrs Hilary Clinton had ben elected also. Perhaps, it is good to be reminded that Mr Donald Trump has no authority except that which God has established (Romans 13). Furthermore, God can even use a ‘crooked’ stick to strike some straight blows, and perhaps that is what the western world needs at this time. Over recent decades there has been a slow but certain demolition of biblical morals and standards in western societies, not only in America but also in our society. For example, the Lord’s prayer can no longer be recited publicly in many of our State run schools. We are repeatedly told that everyone needs to be tolerant of alternate ‘faith views’, although it increasingly appears that may not be true for those who hold to the Christian faith. The same-sex and civil unions debate continues in our parliaments; the Safe-Schools program leaves much to be desired; indeed, those who hold to the Christian faith are facing more abuse and ‘name-calling’ than ever before. But even if Mr Donald Trump cannot stop the erosion of Christian principles and morals in our societies, alarming as that may be, Jesus is still on the throne and will be forever more! So don’t panic. Jesus has promised to be with us to the close of the age. When all is done and dusted, we as Christians don’t place our trust and faith in a mortal human being, albeit the President-elect of the most powerful nation on earth. We trust and place our faith in an almighty God who has revealed in His word that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And all His promises for His children are sure and yes and amen in Christ. So dear Christian, don’t let any election unsettle you too much, rather remind yourself that God is on the throne and will be forever. Indeed, this is a great reason for thankfulness. There is one stable Rock we can stand and build on, even in the midst of a possible turbulent Presidency. We build on Christ Jesus and not on the moving sands which change with each tide. As the Psalmist says, God is our refuge and strength, therefore we shall not be afraid (or unsettled Ps 46). It’s all good and well to express some concern at the result of any election, but our hope and futures lie beyond Prime Ministers and even beyond President-elect Mr Donald Trump. Prime Ministers and Presidents are like the flowers of the field. They may bloom for a day, but when evening comes, their flower fades and their place is remembered no more. The same is true of us. And so we look beyond our immediate earthly surroundings and set our sights on the heavenly city, whose architect and builder is God. Jesus reminded us that He would be with us to the very end of the age and the He and the Father will never let us fall out of His hands. Paul reminds us that nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love in Jesus Christ. Let us find rest and peace in the One who is really on the throne. JZ There are several reasons why sinful man suggests that God is unfair to hold them to account for their rejection or total unbelief toward Him. For instance, some just flatly say that God cannot be real or true, for He cannot be seen (Atheists). Others suggest that they ‘believe’ there is a God, but that he cannot be known. Still, others say that if God was real and loving, He would reveal himself in such a way that people could not help but believe.
The Bible says that man is without excuse for their unbelief. The reason given in Scripture is not because God hasn’t revealed himself, but that because of man’s wickedness they have chosen to reject God and as a result, God has allowed them to continue on in their rebellious behaviour, which only gets worse. The question I often think about as a believer is how to make contact with these types of people? What should our starting point be if and when we have an opportunity to discuss ‘religious’ things with them? Some Christians suggest we should start to speak about their sin. But then again, sin doesn’t mean anything to someone who doesn’t believe in God or that he is accountable to God. Others suggest that we should speak about the love of God, but again with respect, those who do not believe in God have no understanding of a loving God. On the contrary, they would probably give you evidence of an unloving God, especially when one experiences the tragedies of life. Well, I think we should start where Scripture starts, namely, creation. Not only does the Bible begin there, so does Paul in Romans 1:18-20; “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” When a student receives a bad mark for an exam, they may be inclined to blame the teacher or lecturer. However, Scripture will not allow unbelievers to blame their teacher for their rejection or unbelief, for the teacher is none other than God himself. In fact, Scripture tells us that it is man’s own wickedness that is the reason or their disbelief. While in Sydney this week, we went to the Petbarn store at Penrith. It is quite a big store, and along part of one wall, they have all these fish tanks with little and not quite so little fish swimming in them, literally hundreds of them, all made according to their kind! While I was so taken by the vast variety of fish, my mind went to Romans 1:18-20 and I concluded again that Scripture was right when it says God has revealed himself plainly and that man is without excuse. How could you say there is no Creator God when standing in front of such a vast array of creation in one small fish tank? Really, there is only one real answer and that is what Scripture also says, “It’s your wickedness that has brought you to that point.” Do you know there are estimated to be 9,956 different kinds of birds? 6,199 different kinds of amphibians; 30,000 different kinds of fish; 5,416 kinds of mammals, and last but not least, 950,000 different types of insects? Our God made them all, each with their own particular DNA. It’s mind boggling! And then to think some people never think about God, or reject him outright, or say he hasn’t revealed himself for us to be sure there is a God. How great is man’s wickedness to say there is no God or even to suggest it all started with some big-bang! There are many ways to start a conversation with a non-believer, but perhaps to start where Scripture starts is worthwhile considering again. And if the Lord wills and blesses our approach, we could also remind them that God knew we needed help to believe in Him after the fall into sin, and hence sent His Son as payment for our unbelief and His Holy Spirit to quicken us to saving faith. As a result of that mercy and grace, we not only praise God for creation, but for our redemption and salvation! JZ As most of you know, in our Reformed Church we practice both infant and adult baptism. Today, we actually witness the ‘adult’ or ‘believer’s baptism of Sean Sweeney. In a denomination where we generally see infants being baptised, it’s rather special to witness an adult baptism. Strangely, it is not all that different than infant baptism for all the promises in Christ that are true and sure for our little children when they are baptised, are also true for adults when they come to faith and are baptised. Of course, there is one major difference and that when infants are baptised they still need to come to faith in Jesus Christ, whereas in adult baptism, the baptism itself is also regarded as a Profession of faith.
One of the reasons why some parents prefer believer’s baptism rather than infant baptism is because in the past, parents who have had their children baptised as infants, believe, or at least behave in a way that presumes their children are guaranteed a place in heaven. Well, we know this is not so. The Apostle Paul speaks about the disobedience of God’s covenant children in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. Most of the male children were circumcised on the eighth day (Gen 17:10-14) as a sign of being part of God’s covenant people, yet Paul mentions that God was not pleased with most of them and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. So, if anything, let’s take this warning seriously and not belittle our responsibility as parents. When our little children are baptised and become part of God’s covenant people, we as parents and as a fellowship have an obligation, more than that, a God-given duty to teach our little children about the love of God for them, particularly as seen in the Lord Jesus Christ and to live in thankful obedience and not in disobedience. So, circumcision in the Old Testament nor infant baptism in the New Testament guarantees a place in heaven. A similar warning and responsibility exist for those who experience believer’s baptism as their Profession of faith. Just because adult baptism is linked with a Public Profession of faith, it does not guarantee a place in heaven for the participant. They too, have a responsibility to persevere in the Christian faith and to ensure that their Profession of Faith was genuine. And we as a fellowship also have an obligation to encourage those who receive baptism as an adult in their walk with the Lord. If they, who experience believer’s baptism, walk away from the Christian faith (as some have done), then it either shows their adult baptism as a profession of faith was a sham, or at the very least they are being extremely disobedient for a season in their lives. So, believer’s baptism doesn’t guarantee a place in heaven either. Finally, when a person does their profession of faith, whether or not they were baptised as an infant or as a believing adult, one thing is sure, it is a sign of God’s grace and mercy towards that individual. In fact, every time we witness this, a small miracle has occurred. God by the power of His Word and Spirit going forth, has changed a person’s heart from one which was a cold, closed and hard as stone, to one which by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, is now softened, opened and warmed to became a heart of flesh, receptive to the good news of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the recipients of such amazing grace, do not embrace Jesus as Saviour unwillingly, as though their will has been abolished or changed by force. Rather, the Holy Spirit applies God’s word in such a way that it spiritually revives, heals, reforms and in a manner at once pleasing and powerful, bends the will back entirely, so that the recipient willingly embraces Jesus as Saviour. And when we arrive at that point, God continues to preserve us so that we can persevere to the end in good works (Eph 2:10). For God has promised to complete the good work He has begun in us (Phil 1:6) and that He, along with His Son, will never let us fall from His eternal hands (John 10:28ff). So today, Sean Sweeney and we as a Christian fellowship have much to give God thanks for as we witness the public profession of faith in Sean’s baptism today. Gloria Deo! JZ One of the great verses in Scripture is found in 2 Tim 3:15, “…and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation…” One of the reformational 'solas' is based on this verse for this teaches that no additional people or books are needed to bring us to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
During the Middle Ages, the Roman Church insisted that the clergy was instrumental in bringing people to faith, but the ‘reformers’ including Luther, Calvin, and others, insisted that this teaching was contrary to Scripture. Hence, Scripture alone, along with faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, all to the glory of God alone became part of the five solas of the reformation. Unfortunately, some people have taken this verse to mean ministers or other Scripture teachers are all superfluous to requirements. As a result of this rather narrow understanding, we have ‘fellowships’ where there are no appointed ministers or teachers. As these fellowships meet, someone is asked to read the Scriptures or give a ‘word from the Lord’, which is then followed by a time of prayer and singing and further discussion. However, God still uses people to teach His Word. Throughout Scripture God, appointed various people to bring His Word. They included parents, prophets, priests, apostles, and others and woe to them if they did not do it properly or disobeyed (Deut 6:1-9; Eze 34; Jonah; Gal 3 etc). It is also clear from 2 Tim 1:5ff that Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice had a positive impact on Timothy’s faith. Furthermore, most of us brought up in Christian families learn about the glorious gospel from faithful mothers and fathers and perhaps even other siblings. That is the process the Holy Spirit normally uses to bring us to faith in Jesus Christ. However, this does not mean we or our children will understand everything they read or hear from Scripture. Some passages are very difficult to understand. The Apostle Peter even suggested that Paul wrote things that were hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16). If this was true for the Apostle Peter, we shouldn’t be surprised when we come across things that are hard to understand. So don’t be too hard on your pastor or elder when they don’t know the full meaning of a passage. Of course, preachers and teachers need to be watchful that pride doesn’t get the better of them either. It is rather easy to fall into the trap of doing ‘i-so-gesis’ rather than exegesis. “I-so-gesis” usually means that Scripture is applied in a way that is not the intended meaning of the text, hence unbiblical, but in a twisted way comforts the preacher, teacher or hearer. At seminary, we were taught to do careful exegesis and not ‘i-so-gesis.’ Sometimes we were even encouraged to set aside passages we didn’t fully understand until the Holy Spirit revealed to us the true meaning of the text, especially as it points to Christ (Lk 24:44). Thankfully, through the ages, God has blessed the church with many great minds and exegetes who have been able to throw light on difficult passages and we thank the Lord for His provision. Yet, we remain thankful that the Scriptures alone, when read carefully and prayerfully, with the Holy Spirit’s blessing, can make us wise to salvation. JZ On the 31st of October, we celebrate the reformation of the church which began with Martin Luther, way back in 1517, when he nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenberg Castle doors. These theses were usually one or two lines indicating a wrong teaching by the then Roman Church. Of course, being part of the churches that were formed after the reformation, we really appreciate what God did through men like Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Cranmer and others. The great doctrines of grace which we hold dear, find their roots in the reformation. What a great privilege to know that we are saved by faith alone, grace alone, in Christ alone, guided by Scripture alone and all this to the glory of God alone.
Unfortunately, this wonderful, celebratory day has been high jacked by what is often referred to as ‘Halloween’ night. Halloween is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts and evil spirits. People often gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honour all saints and martyrs. Since there were too many saints and martyrs for the days of the year, one day was nominated to remember them. The evening became known as “All Hallows’ Eve” which later became “Halloween.” Over time, Halloween has evolved into a secular, community-based event characterised by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. I guess the question needs to be asked whether we as Christians should participate in any way or should we trash it? On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be much harm in children knocking at your door and asking for a trick or treat. However, knowing a little bit about the history of Halloween, and Scripture’s warning not to meddle with spirits and mediums, it is a question with which parents need to decide upon. Scripture does not speak at all about Halloween, but it does give us some principles on which we can make a decision. In OT Israel, witchcraft was a crime punishable by death (Exo 22:18; Lev 19:31; 20:6, 27). The NT teaching about the occult is clear. Acts 8:9-24, the story of Simon, shows that occultism and Christianity don't mix. The account of Elymas the sorcerer in Acts 13:6-11 reveals that sorcery is violently opposed to Christianity. Paul called Elymas a child of the devil, an enemy of righteousness and a perverter of the ways of God. In Acts 16, at Philippi, a fortune-telling girl lost her demon powers when the evil spirit was cast out by Paul. The interesting matter here is that Paul refused to allow even good statements to come from a demon-influenced person. Acts 19 shows new converts who have abruptly broken with their former occultism by confessing, showing their evil deeds, bringing their magic paraphernalia, and burning it before everyone (Acts 19:19). So, is it possible for Christians to celebrate Halloween without compromising one’s faith? Is there anything evil about a Christian dressing up as a princess or disguising yourself in some other way and then joining some friends and knocking on doors to receive a trick or treat? Probably not. Are there things about Halloween that are anti-Christian and should be avoided? Absolutely! If parents are going to allow their children to participate, then perhaps they need to make sure their attitude, dress, and most importantly, their behaviour would still reflect a redeemed life (Phil 1:27). So that is at one level. However, what do we do when children knock at our door asking for a trick or treat? I don’t think slamming the door in their faces is very winsome, so that isn’t an option. Perhaps, as some Christians do, we could see this as a small mission opportunity and we could have a little bible verse ready along with a sweet lolly to give them as a treat. There is nothing too tricky about that, and the blessing of knowing the way of salvation unto eternal life is not to be trashed either. JZ One of the questions that leaders of worship have to deal with is the essence of worship. On occasions, I have been challenged to think seriously about the purpose of our worship services, including the preaching. Should our services and preaching have an evangelistic thrust or should it be targeted only at those who are Christians already? Personally, I would hope it is both. As we genuinely worship, delighting in the glorious gospel of forgiveness and salvation unto eternal life, it is my prayer that those who are not yet Christians would hear the beauty of knowing Christ and be drawn to him through the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.
At other times I have been encouraged to think more about how our singing, time of confession and assurance, our prayers and the preaching can help us to fulfil the Great Commission. On other occasions, I have been encouraged to be more practical so that the congregation may learn how to be more loving, caring, and mission minded. All good questions that need to be considered. And then one further consideration is what to include during a worship service. For instance, leaders of worship and Church Council often have requests from individuals and other Christian organisations to give them some time during a worship service to promote their work, whether it be missions or some other good Christian work. Well while I was considering these important questions, a friend reminded me of the book by Rev. Dr. John Piper called, “Brothers we are not Professionals.” In Chapter 28 of his book, John Piper has a chapter entitled “Brothers, focus on the essence of worship and not the form.” In this chapter, he discusses what ‘worship’ should be. His third implication of focussing on the essence of worship is worth mentioning: “If the inward essence of worship is to find satisfaction in God, then worship can’t be a means to anything else. You simply can’t say to God, I want to be satisfied in You so that I can have something else. Because that would mean you are not really satisfied in God but in something else. And that would dishonour God and not worship Him. But in fact, for thousands of people and pastors, I fear, that the event of “worship” on Sunday morning is conceived of as a means to accomplish something other than worship. We “worship” to raise money; we “worship” to attract crowds; we “worship” to heal human hurts; we “worship” to give talented musicians an opportunity to fulfil their calling; we “worship” to teach our children the way of righteousness; we “worship” to help marriages stay together; we “worship” to evangelize the lost among us; we “worship” to motivate people for projects; we “worship” to give our churches a family feeling, etc. We don’t say to our wives, ‘I delight in you so that you will make me a nice meal.’ That is not the way delight works. It terminates on her. It does not have a nice meal in view. I cannot say to my son, ‘I love playing ball with you so that you will cut the grass.’ If my heart really delights in playing ball with him, that delight cannot be performed as a means to get him to do something. I am not denying that authentic worship may have a hundred good effects on the life of the church. It will – just as true affection in marriage makes everything better. My point is that to the degree that we ‘do worship’ for these reasons, to that degree, it ceases to be worship. Keeping satisfaction in God at the center guards us from that tragedy.” (pg 240-241). Of course, we don’t need to agree with John Piper, yet it is food for thought. So often our worship services are centered around what we can get, or contribute, or what a mission organisation can raise, rather than just worshipping God for Who He is and for what He has done and is doing and promises still to do. It is my prayer that our worship this week will bring glory to God as we delight in his bountiful goodness to us. JZ. |
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