North Ryde Christian Church

Tsunamis, floods, and bush fires are no joke. In 2021 it was estimated by Deloitte that natural disasters cost Australia over $38 billion a year and this will nearly double by 2060. The real cost, however, is more than a financial one, many people and animals lose their homes and even their lives when a major disaster strikes.

So what should we think about the weather? Is God really in control? Most of us are comfortable asking God for good weather for our next sports game or outdoor event – we may even thank God for a perfect sunny day. But when it comes to bad weather, who’s to blame – infamous weather systems like El nina or God? And who can we go to about these disasters?

The Bible is full of stories where God uses natural disasters as a judgement for human sin. The flood account in Genesis is one well known example (Genesis 6:5-9:19). God is the rightful judge of the world, and as creator, able to control any aspect of the weather for His purposes. Jeremiah 10:12-13 puts it this way,

“the Lord made the earth by His power, and He preserves it by His wisdom. With His own understanding He stretched out the heavens. When He speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from His storehouses”

So if God is in control of the weather, the question remains, is today’s good or bad weather a daily judgement from God? The answer is both yes and no. In His limitless wisdom God uses the weather both to provide for humanity and to call them back to trusting in Him. Natural disasters remind us how terrifying and unpredictable life in this world can be. They remind us of the reality of death and destruction. They are another symptom of the presence of sin in this world. It is not that those suffering the effects of a natural disaster specifically sinned in a way that meant they should suffer more than others. Rather, because humans have collectively rebelled against God, we have all been exiled from the perfect paradise God intended us to live in and we continue to long for. So whatever the weather today, remember who it comes from. If it has brought you pain and suffering perhaps this is a time to call out to God for mercy. If it has brought you joy perhaps this is the day to give Him thanks.

Prayer: Dear God, I acknowledge you as the creator and sustainer of all things. I acknowledge that I am not as in control as I’d like to be and that I don’t always like what you choose to give me. Forgive me for my rebellion against you. Help me to trust your wisdom in all that you do. Amen.

Acknowledgement: This article was sourced from Outreach Media, Sydney, Australia.
Images and text © Outreach Media 2022

What would your ideal parent be like? This question may feel a bit awkward or even painful to answer, but I invite you to consider it for a moment. If you’re anything like me, your character list of the ideal parent might go something like… caring, gentle, wise, compassionate, capable, stable, fun. Then, if I was really going all out with a wish list I might add powerful, rich and well respected.

Who our parents are has a profound and life long impact on who we are. Putting aside the genetic influence they have over our lives such as skin colour, physical abilities, predispositions to particular health issues, personality etc, who our parents are
and how they have treated us is carried with us long after childhood. If your father has been outed as a womaniser you can’t help but absorb some of that shame. If your mother is known as a hero in your community you can’t deny a feeling of pride. If your father always spoke words of encouragement and love to you you will probably have a deep sense of value. If your mother gave you up as a baby it may be hard not to feel rejected.

But whoever your parents are, you can still have the perfect parent. The Bible says whoever has faith in Jesus Christ becomes a beloved child of God.

“For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26

Now let me tell you about this Heavenly Father who can be yours through Jesus – He is kinder than the kindest person you’ve ever met; He is wiser than the most enlightened person you know, He is more patient and compassionate than Mother Theresa, He is richer than Elon Musk, more powerful than Vladimir Putin and more forgiving than Nelson Mandela.

Now can you imagine this perfect parent wants you to be their child? Really! He gave up His precious son Jesus to pay for your rebellious ways, so, when you trust His son, you too become His precious child. He loves you so much He not only calls you to be His child He transforms you to be like Him.

Call on the truly perfect, compassionate, wise, powerful and loving parent and become His child today.

Prayer: Dear heavenly father, I want to be your precious child. I really want you as my perfect parent. Please forgive my rebellion against you. Help me to trust your son Jesus. And make me more like you. Amen.

Acknowledgement: This article was sourced from Outreach Media, Sydney, Australia.
Images and text © Outreach Media 2022

The day of reckoning – it’s an exciting moment in the movie or TV show we’re watching. Finally the wrongdoers get exposed, the evil monster is overpowered and defeated, justice is served. It appears to be a universal longing played out in film and television across cultures and time. We also hope for a judgement day in the real world as we watch televised court cases about abusers, big corporations causing harm in the interest of making money, corrupt politicians using their power for personal gain and the actions of despotic dictators. But when it comes to a universal, ultimate day of reckoning we’re not so keen. The Christian doctrine of a final judgement day is often seen as archaic, incompatible with a loving God or just plain laughable.

Just before His arrest the Bible records Jesus telling His eleven closest friends and followers (though somewhat obscurely) that it’s time for him to die, be resurrected and return to heaven (John 13:31-33). But He also reassures His dear friends –

“I will come back.” John 14:3

This second coming of Jesus is described as a world-wide final day of reckoning when all human secrets, hidden (and not so hidden) wrongdoing will be exposed and judged with perfect justice. Doesn’t that sound like a moment when we can all stand up out of our seats and applaud? Or perhaps not. Perhaps we are scared of our own secret wrongs being judged. Perhaps we’re not sure if we’ve done enough good or are good enough.

But here’s the plot twist, when Jesus tells His disciples He’s coming back He tells them as a
reassurance. Jesus said He was going to die on the cross, rise from the dead, and return to heaven to make a way for His followers to join Him there. And that’s what He did. By dying and rising again Jesus takes on the judgement and punishment of all so that any who want to receive forgiveness can follow Him into heaven.

The Bible assures us that a day of reckoning is coming. Year after year passes by – seemingly without end. Corruption and abuse continues often without consequence. But Jesus will return. He will judge and punish all wrong with perfect justice. And He will take any who trust Him with Him into eternal peace and glory. Will you be cheering or cowering on that day?

Prayer: Dear God, I confess I have done wrong. I know I can’t stand before your perfect judgement. Please forgive me because of what Jesus has done. I want to be with you in perfection forever. Amen.

Acknowledgement: This article was sourced from Outreach Media, Sydney, Australia.
Images and text © Outreach Media 2022

Every year I have a medical checkup. But do you know about the weekly checkup?

The best description of the Lord’s Supper is in 1 Corinthians 11. It gives two reasons for celebrating it. The first reason was to remember what Jesus has done for us. The second reason is to “proclaim the Lord’s death”. As we partake of the bread and wine, we are declaring the importance of the Lord’s death. That Christ’s death on our behalf provides eternal forgiveness of our sin.

And we are to carry out this remembrance and proclamation “until He (Jesus) comes” again and believers will be with the Lord forever.

Next there is a warning about how not to celebrate the Lord’s Supper – “whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord” (v.27). The reason the Lord’s Supper is mentioned in this letter is because of the unworthy manner that it was being celebrated in Corinth.

Then there is a command, “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup” (v.28). The verb “examine” (dokimazo, Strongs #1381) means to prove something by testing it. Is it genuine or fake? Earlier in this letter this word is used to say that in the future God “will test the quality of each person’s work” (1 Cor. 3:13).

At Corinth they were selfish and greedy and the rich discriminated against the poor (v.18-22). Because of these sins many were under God’s fatherly discipline – there was weakness and sickness and some had died early (v.30). Sin grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:29-3). The self-examination being asked for here was to reveal their sins and to repent by saying, “Lord, I’m sorry; I have sinned. Please forgive me. I must not act this way because it displeases You”. Christians are to judge themselves and stop sinning. If they didn’t judge themselves, then God would judge them as a father disciplines their child.

In preparation for the Lord’s Supper it is essential that we examine ourselves. This is a command from the Lord. It’s like a weekly stocktake. A spiritual audit. A checkup. A self-examination. A self-evaluation. Or a “sin inspection”. Look at our thoughts, attitudes and behaviour. When have we failed to love and obey the Lord? When have we failed to love our neighbour or Christian brother and sister? Look for sins of commission and sins of omission. Are we seeking to please God more than anything else? (6:33).

We need to confess and repent of the sins that come up. Forgive others and seek forgiveness from others. On the cross Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for them do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34). We need to get right with God and get right with one another. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are accountable to God.

When we do this our fellowship with the Lord is restored. 1 Jn.1:9, which was written to believers, says “If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”. In order to maintain fellowship with God, sin is to be confessed and forsaken. There can be no hiding of sin.

Prayer

Father, we thank you for sending Jesus to die so that our sins might be put away forever. We share the emblems together in remembrance of His death and resurrection. Declaring that it provides eternal forgiveness of our sin. Help us to examine ourselves regularly and continue to confess our sins to receive your temporal forgiveness that restores our fellowship with you on a regular basis. So, we offer thanks and praise for all that you have done through Jesus. In Christ’s name, Amen.

G Hawke

The existence of another dimension. A character with the ability to influence and change the physical world without physical force. A powerful evil monster out to kill. These are the elements of a science fiction narrative. But what if there is truth in them?

The message of the Bible is pretty strange. It talks of a spiritual dimension – angels and demons and an all powerful, all knowing God in control of it all. This spiritual dimension is generally unseen by us ordinary humans with our physical eyes. But the Bible records a special time in history when the supernatural burst into the world in the very natural form of a new born baby. Jesus’ birth, life and even His miracles are recorded in numerous ancient historical accounts. Turning water into wine. Healing a paralysed person with only His words. Bringing a man who has been dead for four days back to life. This is not the kind of thing we see outside of science fiction and fantasy.

And as strange as these things are, they are not the strangest thing in the Bible. The strangest thing is that the omnipotent creator of the universe would deign to become a mere mortal. Jesus is the eternal, unlimited, divine master who becomes a newborn baby – subject to hunger and tiredness. He becomes a man, driven to serve His rebellious creatures. The all powerful being allows Himself to be mocked by weak and jealous men. The source of all knowledge and wisdom quietly listens to lies and false accusations against Him. The creator of life subjects Himself to humiliating death on a cross for criminals. And then…the big reveal.

A few faithful followers of Jesus go to His tomb to anoint His dead body with the customary spices. They are heartbroken women whose compassionate leader has been killed. However, when they get to the tomb Jesus’ body is missing and what appears to be
a heavenly messenger tells them: “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who
was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” Mark 16:6

Jesus showed His true power, His true self, by conquering death. As it says in Acts 2:24 “it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.” Jesus’ resurrection shows He conquered death and He did it for us! God is eternal. He didn’t ever have to die. But we do. Because of our rejection of God, death is a reality for everyone of us. But because of His unfathomable love for His rebellious creatures, Jesus conquered sin and death on our behalf. Will you receive God’s promise of eternal life for all who trust Jesus? Though we will die physically we can live eternally because of this strangest thing.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for conquering death and sin on my behalf. I acknowledge you have the power over death and want to receive the gift of eternal life you offer me. Amen.

Acknowledgement: This article was sourced from Outreach Media, Sydney, Australia.
Images and text © Outreach Media 2022

The best description of the Lord’s Supper is in 1 Corinthians 11. It gives two reasons for celebrating the Lord’s Supper. The first reason was to remember what Jesus has done for us – it was to be done “in remembrance of me”, as Jesus said. The second reason to celebrate the Lord’s Supper is to “proclaim the Lord’s death”. As we partake of the bread and wine, we are declaring the importance of the Lord’s death. That Christ’s death on our behalf provides forgiveness of our sin.

And we are to carry out this remembrance and proclamation in this way “until He (Jesus) comes” again and believers will be with the Lord forever.

Next there is a warning about how not to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. The reason the Lord’s Supper is mentioned in this letter is because of the unworthy manner that it was being celebrated in Corinth.

1 Cor. 11:27-32 (NIV): “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
²⁸ Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.
²⁹ For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
³⁰ That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
³¹ But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.
³² Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.”

It says, “whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord” (v.27). What could be an unworthy manner of observing the Lord’s Supper?

It could be without ever trusting in Christ for our salvation. This person can’t discern the body of Christ (v.29). Or understand the reason why He died.

It could be without recognizing the seriousness and importance of the event we are remembering. It’s a solemn occasion that demands our respect and reverence. In Corinth, some treated it as a common meal and were getting drunk. They were irreverent and treated it as an ordinary meal.

And it could be without recognizing our unity in Christ. In Corinth, the rich were discriminating against the poor.

When we look at how Paul uses the word “worthy” (Strongs #515, #516 ), in Romans 16:2; Ephesians 4:1; Philemon 1:27; Col. 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; and 1 Timothy 5:17, the unworthy manner could be any attitude or action that would: harm or hinder other believers, or impede the work of believers to be salt and light in the world; or impede the message of the gospel – the good news about Jesus, or that promotes disobedience.

Prayer

Father, we thank you for sending Jesus to die so that our sins might be put away and we can remember you in a worthy manner. Help us to confess our sins and change our ways to remain in fellowship with you. Today we share the emblems together in remembrance of His death and resurrection. Declaring that it makes us worthy before you. And our common faith provides unity amongst believers. So, we offer thanks and praise for all that you have done through Jesus as we share the bread and the cup together.

G Hawke