PERFECT REST 8 August 2010 Hebrew 4:1-11

I am about to go away for a few days holiday and rest. As I thought about that aspect of rest I was drawn to this passage in Hebrews. In my devotional readings for July and August we have been going through Hebrews almost verse by verse. We don't know who the author of Hebrews is, but the purpose of Hebrews is clear. It is to emphasise and remind us of the sufficiency and superiority of Christ. Continually as we read through the book our attention is re-focused on Jesus - he is always seen as the solution - as being superior in all ways - as being our sufficiency. There is a song we often sing - "In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.

This Cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease, My Comforter, my All in All, He is my light, my strength, my song."

When strivings cease…………………..Through these 6 months I have tried to continually focus our attention on Jesus - a reminder for me as well for you. In starting a new role it is very easy to roll up your sleeves and get stuck it - to try and make things happen and carry on without too much change or disruption. But in so doing it is very easy to therefore try and do things in your own way and strength. That may be OK for a little while, but I am sure we all know there is only so long that you can sustain things my human effort on your own. Our own efforts are never enough. It is only in Christ, by his Spirit, that we can accomplish his work.

So I have tried to remind myself to seek God's strength, and wisdom, and leading, and empowering. To stop striving, because I know that as Paul says………I can then do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

But it is human nature for us, isn't it, to fall back and rely on our own abilities. It is the way our society works - we are trained to do things - to be self sufficient - often highly competent and qualified. But………when we leave God out of the equation we do so at our peril, because we will be continually striving to make headway - and that will be tiring - and it may not work out the way God wants it to.

At a recent PALS business ministry committee meeting we were reflecting on how the ministry had got to the point it was at. It had seemed easy. I don't mean easy in the sense that things had just fallen into place without having to do anything. On the contrary a huge amount of prayer and ground work had been done. But suddenly when God's timing was right he brought together the right people, the right circumstances, and the result is that things did "just start to fall into place" There has been a very enthusiastic response and an energy to progress the ministry, and interest to start it in other places. That is a great lesson for me. Some of us have put a great deal of time and effort into developing that ministry, and absolutely happy to do so, but it has only "just started to fall into place" because God's hand has been on it. Without him it would not be gaining momentum the way it is.

We MUST involve Jesus in whatever we do. It will make it a whole lot easier, and it won't sap our energy, but especially because his anointing and blessing will be on it. And I have to be honest - occasionally I forget that aspect of trusting the Lord and I get a bit stewed up wondering what the future holds - usually only for a day or so - but then I remember what God has done for me and how he has led me especially over the past year or two. That causes me to believe that he has my future well and truly planned out and taken care of and I get my act together and trust him that he will continue to lead me. It is putting those two things together - belief and action. That creates trust.

In v2 of the passage that Bronwyn read to us from Hebrews says "….did not combine it with faith." The writer is remembering the Israelites who failed to enter the Promised Land because of unbelief. They could even see the land - they had no doubts it was there - and that it contained everything that God had promised. But they failed to put their belief into action by going in and taking the land - and they ended up wandering around in the wilderness.

Faith is more than mere belief. Faith is acting upon that belief

Do we do that I wonder? It is relatively easy for us to believe that what God says is true isn't it? I think that is probably the case for most of us. But is it another thing entirely for us to have the faith - from having the knowledge - being trusting - and personally committed to act on this belief. Belief needs to be put into action. Someone has said of the church in general………

When all is said and done, more is said than done

Isn't that true? When you think of all the words that are spoken - in sermons - in meetings to organize things - in comparison with action it does really make you wonder if we really are going about things the way God wants us to. It has surprised me to find how much time and energy from many people, for example, is put into preparing for these 2 hours on a Sunday morning. And I do wonder how intentional are we, as individuals, about taking personal responsibility to grow in our relationship with Jesus - to the point that it is truly a personal relationship with him, rather than knowing about him? I hear of people who rely on the Sunday sermons for their feeding. That is fine as long as we go away and do something about what we learn. But does that honestly happen? Look at Hebrews 4:2 again.

How much do we actually retain of what we hear? I am not sure of the percentages, but learning by hearing and observing AND then putting the learning into action is known to be by far the most effective method of learning. It was Jesus' way of teaching his disciples. We must put it into ACTION! And only you and I can do that. No preacher, however great they may be, can do that for us. We have to personally take responsibility. I was talking to someone recently who was asking advice on doing some serious bible study. That person was longing to know how to carry on in his relationship with Jesus. What an example and inspiration to us. We would all do well to make that sort of commitment.

It is so much more than just knowing about Christ. It is knowing him personally. Then we can trust him, and that what he says is true, and we can then act in confidence in that knowledge.

In the comment on the front page of the Wine Press there is a quote from Selwyn Hughes - "If we believe that Jesus is God's Son we are saved, but not that we might sit back and indulge ourselves in the thought. We are saved to serve. We are meant to put our belief into action.

That passage from Hebrews 4 speaks a lot about rest. The Greek word for rest in verse 1 and the remainder of this passage means literally to cease from striving and settle down. The true rest of God comes only for those who adopt the attitude of perfect trust in him. Without that trust how can we possibly enter that perfect rest that God offers? As I explained before, I have my moments when I too see I am not trusting God as I should, but I am reminded of his promise in Jeremiah the hew knows the plans he has for me - to prosper and not to harm………...

How do we enter the perfect rest that God offers? It is very simple. God sent Jesus to be our Saviour and Lord. We must believe that at the moment you believed and openly acknowledged that Jesus is the Son of God you became a Christian (Romans 10:9-10). Believe and confess - belief followed by action = trust and faith. When we really believe this fact and act on it by trusting him - only then can we enter by faith into that perfect rest. Jesus said………

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30). We have to act - to come to Jesus - to take what he offers - then we will receive rest.

To be yoked to Christ is to be taught and guided by him and to share the load. And as we do (like the young oxen used to be yoked to an older one to learn) we too will learn to trust him, that he does know what he is doing, and where to go, and when. That builds trust. And Jesus is gentle and understanding. He won't push us beyond what we are capable of doing or enduring. BUT we have to put that trust into action, and be obedient to him.

Because - God's rest is only for those who adopt the attitude of perfect trust.

So we have to intentionally put that trust into action. Perhaps it seems strange doesn't it, that to enter God's perfect rest, we actually need to be active. But that is God's way. Faith is active. Do we want that place of perfect rest and peace? Then we have to adopt the attitude of perfect trust.

For most of this year Bronwyn has suffered from a bad back pain. After knowing something was not right for many months, and not being able to get any satisfactory advice or answers, we were finally referred to a specialist. He immediately ordered various tests including a C/T scan and some sort of 'oscopy (can't pronounce the real thing!). About 3 hours after the 'oscopy he came and told us "It is all good news. I was able to do a minor procedure at the same time which will fix the problem. There is nothing else there to be of any concern." This was of great comfort. However, the pain persisted for a few days and we managed to get back to see the specialist last Thursday. Again he reassured us - this time actually showing us the C/T scan pictures and some pictures from the 'oscopy - absolutely perfect as he had told us. Here is the point. Here is a highly qualified, highly regarded and respected specialist who has told us there is nothing to worry about. Who better to know? We believed what he told us - it was even there in picture form for us to see. Did it make sense for us to then say - well what if this happens? - Or has he thought about this or that? He is the qualified expert. We believe that, but for his knowledge and advice to be of any use we had to accept it, and act on it - to trust him, and only then when we did could we rest and be at peace about the whole troubling experience.

God wants for us to enter his rest and peace too. And Hebrews 4:11 says we must make every effort to enter that rest. It means for us to understand who God is and what he offers. We have to believe and trust him that it is so - to take him at his word - and to act (that word again) on it by accepting it is for real.

When we do, then we will know God perfect rest and perfect peace - even right now. We don't have to wait for the next life to experience that rest and peace. We can experience it right now in the present. As we heard in verse 7 TODAY is the time for that to be. I encourage you - act today and take God at his word, trust him, and in faith believe him and experience that perfect rest and peace.

Let us close by reading together an old hymn as a prayer:

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,

Forgive my foolish ways!

Reclothe me in my rightful mind;

In purer life Thy service find,

In deeper reverence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard,

Beside the Syrian sea,

The gracious calling of the Lord,

Let me, like them, without a word,

Rise up and follow Thee.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness

Till all my strivings cease.

Take from my soul the strain of stress,

And let my ordered life confess

The beauty of Thy peace.

Amen.

1st August 2010: Facing trials with Jesus

Scriptures: Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Math 27:46; Luke 39-46; Hebrews 5:7-10: Jesus cries of intercession and suffering for our whole salvation.

Intro: This is the first of 3 sermons on Ps 22, 23and 24 that help us to identify with the death, resurrection and triumph of Jesus. These psalms help us to face trials and troubles with Jesus; to face fear and death with Jesus and to triumph in battle with Jesus.

(1) GOD IS WAITING FOR YOU TO GET DESPERATE AND CRY OUT TO HIM: Total salvation through Christ’s blood.

Ps 22 begins with perhaps the deepest cry of the human heart.

It brings us to the darkest hour of Jesus agonising 6 hour ordeal of crucifixion when he used the opening words of Ps 22 to cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

The sky was darkened for 3 hours and Jesus allowed all the evil of the world and of the devil to come against him. He willingly drank the cup of suffering and innocent sacrifice to the depth so that he could completely face the worst agony. He did this to pay the full price for our salvation and healing. He did this to totally identify with the worst suffering, that humans face. He did this so that you and I will always know that whatever pain, abuse and trials we face he understands and can meet us there.

eg My black pot experience when I felt I would be overwhelmed by darkness and mental illness. Jesus assured me that He would meet me there in a deeper way than he had ever met me before.

Healing Prayer of Fr John Rae’s book, ‘Healings and Miracles today’ Page 148

“My God , my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Lord Jesus, you prayed these words when you were dying on the cross. And so we begin our prayer by thanking you. We thank you for your passion and your death. Your Holy Spirit teaches us through the prophet Isaiah, that in those last hours of your earthly life… you took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows… you were pierced for our transgressions… you were crushed for our iniquities… by your wounds we have been healed. (Is. 53: 4-5) We believe that on the cross you saved us, spirit, soul and body. You saved us not only from sin but saved us by healing every part of our being. You saved us for bodily resurrection and everlasting life. Thank you, Lord Jesus for this universal healing which cost you every drop of your most precious blood. Thank you that on the cross you broke the power of any curses we have come under. As it is written in Galatians 3, Christ became a curse for us, for it is written; “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Accordingly, in your name, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I break every curse all in this church have come under, no matter how far back in history those curses were invoked on there families and whether they were invoked directly or indirectly. I break them now in the name of Jesus and in the power of his cross through which he redeemed the world. Amen.

(2) GOD ACCEPTS YOU AND HEARS YOUR CRY: Healing of relationships.

“My God, my God why have you forsaken me. Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? I cry day and night but find no rest.”

The Hebrew people had no hesitation to cry out to God when they were in trouble as a nation or personally. Many Psalms start with such cries. Ps 142 is an example(read)

The prophets wept before God for the people. Jeremiah was called ‘the weeping prophet.’

Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus and over Jerusalem. He cry out in agony in Gethsemene and on the cross.

I believe it’s healthier to share your pain when you are going through trials like Maori people at a tangi rather than always being so cool and so shut up that we suffer more. Often we don’t resolve grief and hurts for years because we don’t share them and particularly because when we don’t share them with God who is like a compassionate Father and is waiting for us to come to Him. Don’t hide your hurts and pains from God! Let him hear your cry and as with the psalmist He can bring resolution and comfort in time of need. The individualism of our society is not healthy and all the consumer goods in the world cannot meet the needs of the human heart.

eg. When I was facing the feeling of abandonment and rejection and shame in the unemployment bureau and I cried out in my spirit to God and felt Him say “Remember I’m still your Father and you’re still my son….”

eg. Aileen hitting the wall as a cry to God for her husband. He was saved from alcoholism and their marriage was healed.

Healing Prayer of Fr John Rae continued pg. 149.

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

Lord, most of those close to you abandoned you when you were arrested. Your own nation did not accept you. The leaders wanted to kill you so they gave you to the Romans who nailed you to the cross. All these rejected you, and as you hung there dying you felt as though God had also abandoned you. We believe that on the cross you took our place. In Isaiah’s words… you took our infirmities and carried our sorrows… and the Lord laid on you the iniquity of us all. You exchanged the absolute fullness of life and love you enjoyed from eternity for our emptiness and lack of fulfilment in order to save us. In virtue of this exchange we ask you to heal all the rejection we have suffered throughout our lives - the loneliness we have endured, the isolation, the alienation from others particularly from members of our own family. Bring your cross to bear, we pray, on all these inward hurts so that not even a scar remains. So heal us now, that we may know, deep within ourselves, that even in those moments when we felt most alone you were always lovingly close to us. Heal our hearts broken when we were rejected. Heal the relationships that were damaged at those times. Amen

(3) JESUS SUFFERED IN HIS BODY. SO WE CAN EXPERIENCE HEALING OF OUR BODIES. Physical healing

Ps. 22 14-16 followed by Fr John Rae’s Healing Prayer pg.150.

I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd , and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me down in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet, I can count all my bones…

Lord you spent yourself utterly on our behalf. Let it be that in virtue of the amazing gift of yourself to us in your suffering and death that we be released from every sickness and disease of body, mind and spirit.

Heal our fingers and our toes, our hands and our feet, our arms and our legs. Heal head and neck and torso. Bring healing and health to our nervous system; to our blood and its circulation through our bodies, to our muscles, ligaments, tendons and sinews. From this day forward let all our internal and external organs function perfectly for people of our years. I pray healing for those couples who long to have a child but are unable to conceive, that you Lord, would bless them with family within the coming year. Bring wholeness to those who suffer a disability either from birth or because of an accident. Bless us all, this day, with physical well being. Amen

Conclude together with prayer based on Ps 22 v 22- 24

We will declare your name, Lord, to our sisters and brothers. In the congregation we will praise you. We will praise and honour and revere you. For you have not despised nor disdained the sufferings of your afflicted ones. You have not hidden your face from us. You have listened to our cry for help. We give you glory and bless you for who and what you are and for your goodness to us. Amen.

Gifted and blessed 25 July 2010 Wayne Austin Reading: Like 19:11-26

At the All Whites parade this week through Wellington we celebrated an amazing achievement. Here was a team of virtual no names that made a great achievement of even getting to World Cup. But in interviews before that left NZ they clearly believed they weren't finished – that they expected more success at the actual World Cup. And history will record they did – being only unbeaten team in the tournament! We as Christians can use this as a great example to us. Each one of that team was there because they made the most of their gifts and talents. They were written off by many because they didn't have the star players of the other teams. So how did the All Whites gain our respect and admiration? I believe that how they did is a great lesson to us as Christians in the way we use the gifts God has given to us.

You see each one of us is spceil to God. For you (God) created my innermost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14).

You and I are special to God and he has created us for a specific purpose. The Apostle Paul said - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10).

For us to be able to fulfill that purpose God made us each to be unique by gifting us in different ways, and while we are each unique, it is God's plan that that purpose is fulfilled in harmony with others. Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the other. Rom. 12:4-5 TLB.

Just as each player in the All Whites has a different position and role to play in the team - so too do we in the body of Christ, his church. The church can be a bit like a sports team in some ways. Each member may play different positions or roles, but unless you are an absolute star like some of the top players in the world you may possibly not be very effective your own. But when each All Whites player came together to play their designated roles in the team they combined to produce outstanding results - away beyond what perhaps they even dreamed of.

It is the same with members of Christ's church. God designed his work to be carried out by his members each playing their part using the gifts he has given us. Sometimes too, we may perhaps not be fully effective on our own. We may not be even noticed but when working together, each one of us has a contribution to make to the whole that their gifting equips them for.

In order for a church to develop spiritual maturity all of its members need to function in the way God designed them to function. For a human body to be in perfect health and to function as it is designed to do, every member must play its part. So it is with the body of Christ. Finding and using our spiritual gifts helps us grow in spiritual maturity. Otherwise we are likely to stay a spiritual babies only feeding on milk - as we are warned 2 or 3 times in the New Testament. We need to exercise and practice our gifts.

The other key factor in the success of the All Whites is that they had a great leader - Ryan Nelson. He is highly regarded and respected all around the world. He leads by example. He really puts his body on the line for his team and his country. But even so he still couldn't do it on his own. He needs his team to back him up and TOGETHER set out on their mission.

In the church we too have a great leader - Jesus. He is utterly inspirational - and he doesn't expect us to do anything he hasn't done before. He too put his body on the line - to the ultimate way anyone possibly on the cross could because of his love and commitment for us. He has experienced everything we are ever likely to, so his leadership method is to show the way too. But he needs us to back him up too and TOGETHER we can help him achieve his mission to spread his gospel. But we have to be available and willing to listen and follow – and then he will lead and empower us. Our church here in Churton Park need to work together too, with Jesus as our leader – not waiting until a new vicar comes – but working together NOW.

When we do we will experience joy and fulfilment discovering where and how God wants us to serve him, but especially when we put it into action - and then we will be far more effective in our serving.

God has given every Christian at least one particular gift. No matter how inadequate or ill equipped you may feel, God thinks you are special, he values you, and he has a plan and specific role for you! It is possible for a Christian to live for years without realising they possess a particular gift. This can be the reason for feelings of lack of fulfilment in their life for Jesus. It is therefore vital that Christians discover their particular gifting to be in the right place for Christ.

I have said we really need more musicians to help share the responsibilities with everyone so busy and committed in many ways. I feel a bit guilty saying that because many years ago in college I play the cornet in the school band. I was useless - couldn't play to save myself - couldn't even march in step to the tune. I only did it because my brother had left school a year before me and was a very good musician, so there was an expectation on me. It was a very good band. We even played at the opening of Parliament one year, and before a rugby test match in Christchurch. But I managed to hide myself in the middle of the band and the rest of the band covered up for me - quite embarrassing now that I remember it. That was not the right place for me. I thought the right place for me at that time was on the sports field - but I guess it was felt I needed some culture in my life too.

In the gospel reading we heard how the servants who used the talents their master have given them to good effect were rewarded. The one who didn’t had his taken away. The message is that God has given us gifts to use. They are a waste of time unless we exercise them. The All Whites would have spent 1000's of hours practising and exercising their gifts - just like anyone who has the passion and the desire to be the best they can be. Surely that has to be our attitude as Christians too? Surely we want to do our best for Christ after all he has done for us?

We therefore need to find our gifts and our place in the body of Christ to fulfil the part God has designed for us. We will be running another gifting course this year to help you do this. But it is critical to put into action whatever your calling is.

Every Christian is a called person - called to be what Christ wants us to be. We just have to be us — the person God designed us to be, and use whatever gift he has given us. As long as we are open and available for him to use we will contribute to his mission for the church in our own unique way, but in harmony with others.

We as individuals can’t do everything. Sometimes we have to recognise that a particular task is not for us to do and leave it for someone else with that particular gift. I should never have played in the school band - that was not my gifting or passion. The result was frustration for me - and I am sure for my music teacher. But also it wasn’t fair on the rest of the band. They had to carry me. It is much better and easier if everyone pulls their weight instead of hoping someone else will cover for you – like I did in the band.

You see God always gives us excellent resources for his mission - to spread the gospel. I believe that sometimes that may mean that if we don't have the people or other resources at a particular time then we as a church may have to accept that task isn’t meant to be done at that particular time. And there are perhaps some things in that category for us as a church at present - just not at this time - but later in God's time.

Each one of us has to account for how we use the gifts God has given us - just as we heard about the servants in the gospel reading.

1. We have to grasp God's passion for mission and building his church.
2. We must trust God that he knows best and has given us gifts appropriate to what he has for us to do.
3. We need to operate like Jesus did - others focussed - not self centred.
4. We need to use the gifts God has given us.

OR as we are told in Luke - like the untrustworthy servant - the gifts could be taken from us. But if we do use our gifts as God wants us to he will reward us and bless us amazingly - just as in the parable where he rewarded the faithful servants very richly. And in doing so will be maturing spiritually.

There are times - or seasons - when there may be reasons for us not doing with our gifts what is intended for us. For example - illness - particular stages of family life with children growing up – worn out doing the same thing for many years in the church. For me there was a phase last year when I was worn out from many years of doing a lot of “stuff” in this church. I didn't know what ordination meant for many- particularly as a role in our church. Now I have this interim role, but what after that? I don't know, but God does. I don’t need to worry because God has his plans - and that gives us confidence. But it is important that we get stuck in and do what God has called us to do now – right at this present time. We are not to be concerned about the future, but must deal in the NOW – and not wait and see.

I learned through that experience that rest from Christian service is different from rest in the secular sense. We CAN'T shut off from God. We CAN'T ignore him in order to have a rest. Resting for a Christian actually comes about by spending more time with him - not less. In Matt.11:28-30 Jesus told us how to deal with this. Withdrawing completely from Christ and his service is not an option. What Jesus offers is his help to enable us to cope so we aren't trying to do things in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. When you allow him to minister in you and through you, Paul tells us in Ephesians 3 - when we are willing God is able to do far more abundantly than we can ever imagine.

So be encouraged — TO BE YOU — the person God designed you to be. Be available and willing.

I have been focussing mainly on the gifts that God gives us.

However, there are still basic duties that have to be done to run a church or a ministry that don't necessarily need special gifting. In a home there are chores such as cleaning, washing the dishes, and so on, that just have to be done to for it to function as a home. Some people enjoy those chores, some don't. But they still have to be done. The same applies in the church. Certain tasks have to be done, such as setting up seating, sound desk, welcoming, etc., for it to function as it should. Again some people enjoy those chores, some don't. But they must be done regardless of what our specific gifting is. We are called to be humble and follow the example of Jesus who said “I came not to be served, but to serve." (Matt. 20:28).

I have mentioned often this year how blessed we are as a church family with the commitment of many of our folk in serving the Lord. I have also mentioned some areas of critical need for help in order for us to function in the way Christ designed us to function - as a body working in unison with each other and as a team - like the All Whites.

Those areas are:

1. Sound desk
2. Setting up for church services
3. Music teams and leaders
4. Outreach coordinator
5. Small Groups/Discipleship coordinator

All are vital or we don't function properly. These are areas that I believe God DOES want us to develop. They are critical - covering our corporate worship, mission, and discipleship. At the clergy conference the guest speaker, Bishop Graeme Cray, speaking about fresh expressions and the missional church said those 3 ministries go hand in hand. We can't have one with out the other. The 40 Days of Purpose principles include those 3 ministries - along with fellowship and serving - as the 5 key non-negotiable ministries for the Christian church.

So what are we going to do about it? Are we going to sit back and hope someone else will do it? The sound desk and set up tasks don't need particular skills or gifts, but they need to be done. And the more people who help the less times people have to be rostered on.

The other three roles do need particular gifts and passion. Are those what YOU have to offer to God?

I encourage you to seek what God has for you. To be open to that. To be available and willing to serve him - just as Jesus came to serve, and not to be served. That is a wonderful attitude to have and to act on and to grow to spiritual maturity. That doesn't just happen - we have to work with God for that to come about.

I pray that you will know clearly God's call on your life, and in so knowing experience a fulfilling and fruitful life in serving him.