thinking about anticipation

This is the season of anticipation for all kinds of reasons

at it's most basic, it's about kids wishing and hoping for a good outcome in the Santa stakes

at it's most hedonistic, it's about the rich variety and kinds of feasts to which we intend to subject our poor bodies - for many that includes more and better plonk of one sort or another

at it's most nostalgic it's about truly schmaltzy movies and co-called carols that are more about what we're hoping for than anything particularly noble

and for some it's about God pushing towards fulfilling promises made of a better life for all people

- in the process catching us by surprise in a way that Christmas carols quote and Christmas Cards emote and church services (try to) promote

Churches all over the world are in a season of celebrating the surprises of God and while looking back to 4 BC in Israel, they also look forward to an unknown time when the Divine will bring a summary weighing of history thus far and of our part in it. Churches also, every week at least, remember with collective sighs of thankful relief that how we do in that assessment is down to how we stand with the unique son of the Divine

This is waht this season of anticipation is all about at heart and why our own petit thrills are just a small symbol of the great reality

So this current discussion about angels is about their part in the story and what that says of our part in it.

not to be messed with

ADVENT TWO

Numbers 22:21-35; Luke 1:5-25

Symbols of holiness

Brightness of robes and face

            Fire and flames

                        Drawn sword

                                    Defying description

                                                Trumpet like voice

When God moves to move you, pay attention!!! The angels He sends with His messages are holy precisely because they have come from a holy place with a holy commission – to relate His purpose to, if only we could believe it, a holy people; yes that’s us.

Here are some things we each need to consider about what is going on when angels bring messages from the Throne Room. 

Their message is serious

This is because the Lord of Hosts is serious about making contact with us, about the significance of revelation and response; thus:

            this message is not to be ignored

                        nor is it to be explained away as wishful thinking or self-deceit

                                    even less is it to be rejected as having little or no value 

Their message is sometimes warning and always promise

            Warning         to change from a direction of rebellion to obedience

                                                to avoid (or turn aside from) danger or error

                                                            to prepare for, or flee from, judgement

            Promises         that God is involved and that He will act

                                                that God’s purpose is always to save and restore

                                                            that God’s purpose will never fail

Their message requires response

NB “No Reply” is not a recognisable option; to refuse to respond is to refuse the message and thereby to refuse not just the messenger but the Sender.

Any message from God, whether by angels, a prompting of the Spirit, or in a word received in prayer or reading demands a “yes”

            amazingly, a “no” is possible as our Father gives the freedom to choose

but know this, once you become aware of a call from God you will answer one way of the other

What’s God’s message to you, His calling on your life?

What’s your answer? By the way, “maybe” is only a provisional “no”

Angels on our Side

ADVENT ONE

Daniel 12:1-4a; Revelation 12:1-12

Unseen companions (an introduction to angels)

Made by God

Spirit-beings – without bodies as we know them

Finite and limited, but not as we know limits

Intelligent, with a will; vast and deep knowledge

Moral nature capable originally of both good and evil

Immortal that is the good already have eternal life

Powerful and organised including a system of ranking (including principalities, powers, thrones and dominions, as well as at least one archangel – Michael)

Innumerable but not reproducing – so always the same number

Varying groups according to purpose and function

Worshippers praising God’s many attributes and works; rejoicing at every new salvation

Guardians though perhaps not as the guardian angels we think of in popular thought

Messengers to reveal God’s encouragement and purpose, and even His nature

Court of heaven before whom we are to be judged; in which they hear and answer the mind of God

Watcher/protectors especially over both individual believers and the Church

Guides taking believers to their peaceful rest with God after death

Enforcers of the judgement of God at the final judgement; of God’s purposes in history

 

Fighting for us

There is a fight against us as those chosen to reveal God’s love to the world – a fight being fought by beings who are characteristically tempters and liars - and then accusers before God’s throne.

 

Their aim is to discourage and destroy trust in God and thereby weaken the cause of Christ

 

The fight is not for us to fight alone – rather than ‘toughen up’, it’s a question of trusting God’s provision; both of His direct aid and the unseen support and intervention of angels.

 

Protecting us

Their role is often stepping in to guard and protect at times of great danger and need

They work for us by holding off and neutralising spirits of discouragement and deception

We may feel their intervention as encouragement in the face of despondency

Historically, angels are known to have opened doors and facilitated the way for moves of revival and evangelism

charming sins

I'm starting a new series of messages tomorrow under the above title. Tomorrow's is "Pervasive Pollution." It's about how sin gradually takes hold in our lives, especially those nasty, sneaky little chaps like anger, gossip, resentment and unforgiveness which we cheerfully ignore while pointing out the biggies - some of which are standard evangelical shibboleths. I.e. abortion, homosexuality, adultery, and the targets of liberal concern like greed, pollution, various kinds of abuse, consumerism.

So I'm starting the teaching time with a short (I hope) discussion on...wait for it...three letters, starts with "S"...nah, "sin" silly.

Thought I'd try out these questions:

What is Sin?

What are sins?

Do they matter?

...why?

which are the most dangerous?

What should we do about it? (if anything.)

Open to any contributions...give it a burst...give me a burst if you think I need it!

Now where's that whiteboard? (You heard...)

Living in Hope
4.Walking with God

Even on a holiday we don’t walk without a sense of having a route or at least a destination in mind. We might go ambling along the beach just to relax but always mean to get home again – or on Friday we might have chosen to walk to work from the bus, ferry or train. We always have a goal in mind that keeps us focussed however gently – it’s like a companion that keeps subconsciously reminding us of what we‘re out here for. Of course it’s the same with that symbol of luxury, our car – we have an idea, if not a clear plan, of where we’re heading and want to be.
When the Bible talks about the way we live, it often uses a word that literally means to walk. Hmmm that sounds like a hint that our life is meant to progress towards a goal. How do we work that out?! The answer has always been to walk with God – but what does that mean?!
First, it means in everything you do, put God at the centre, the very first person or thing you consider in making a decision.
Second, familiarise yourself with what God is about; what He says, how He works and says we should work. That means time given to prayer and to reading the supreme revelation of all that God is and is about – the Bible of course.
Third, know that there are many others of us walking with God who may be able to point to the relevant parts of God’s nature and work that should guide you; if even if we don’t we can join our fervent prayers to yours.
Fourth, as a gold standard, if it’s not about love, it’s not about the God we see in Jesus our Lord.
Now, time to put on some walking shoes and venture out into life with the All-Wise.

Living in Hope
2. Distinctive flavouring

A distinctive flavour of winter for me, is the memory of my mother’s vegetable soup – a blend of bacon bones, pearl barley and heaps of root veges and celery – cooking in the pot for several days. The perfect answer to bitter Hamiltonian winters with its biting frosts and ever-present fog. That flavour encouraged, healed and comforted all in one happy bowl.
Pause: what comforting flavours can you recall in your life?
When Jesus called us to be the salt of the earth, He meant us to bring out the God-flavours that fill this present, “between times” reality; to demonstrate the possibilities of human communities in which God is the centre.
How do those flavours taste, what does a community taste like where God is the centre? What ought a woman or man to experience amongst us? First that they matter; surely that’s what it means that God’s Son should give up His life that we might live in unending fellowship with His Father. Everyone matters the same, no matter where they’re from or what they ever did.
Second there is that attitude with which God regards all His creatures; love. Selfless, kind, open-hearted, accepting, unconditional love. It’s what drove Jesus to the Cross, and it’s what defeated the grave; it is also what enables the Holy Spirit to move in and among the people of God to do His work in us.
Finally there is refined taste of holiness; God-alikeness. In our relationships with each other and those who new among us we deal with each other with the utmost integrity. We never lie, we never allow jealousy any place, we forgive every offence (and I do mean EVERY offence.) If this is the taste that characterises being among us we are encouraging a hunger for heaven.

Living in Hope
In the meantime.1
A big Event is coming! You’re not exactly sure when it will be, but you know who’s behind it, and that it’s going to be unimaginably spectacular. It will make sense of an awful lot that has puzzled you and the rest of humanity. The real heroes will at last be seen for what they are – as will the real villains. BUT – and this is important, what do you do while you’re waiting for it to come on?! Do you keep changing the cool clothes that you’ve set aside for the occasion? Do you lord it over those you suspect have not been invited? Do you run an unending set of self-examination assessments to make sure you’re ready for the Event? Do you run around telling everyone that it’s coming – telling them to get ready too? Do you research and run seminars trying to predict when it will happen?
What you don’t do is to stop living. You keep eating, sleeping, probably going to work, going out to the movies, making love, listening to music, watching TV. But is that it? Is that all that such fevered anticipation leads to? Surely there is something about the nature of the Event that suggests a change in attitude, a generosity of spirit, a renewal of focus on the lives of others (after all your place at the Event is already assured!)
Perhaps you would allow a near permanent smile to develop on your face and in your approach to even the most difficult people because you know a little of the great surprise that we’re all in for and you know that it’s great!
Hope is about the sure expectation of a great and astonishing Event that awaits all those who trust in Jesus as the Christ of God…what we do with that…what we do now…that’s the challenge! …eh?

making sense of prayer

Just been reading "God on Mute" by Pete Greig - in snatches; in snatches because the book is so challenging I need time to think about what I'm reading. Pretty much finding myself in agreement with what Pete's saying. Too much grief has come to people who have been told to expect a constant buzz in the Christian life; people afraid to make change or moves in their lives without a "word" from God, or at least with that highly subjective feeling some call peace.
I remember when it was time for me to leave my first appointment as a minister: I had a possibility before me and wasn't sure whether to take it or not, and I wanted some kind of "word" from God that Taranaki was for me. So I went to colleague from another mainstream denomination, and asked what he "heard." He patiently prayer with me and then we stayed silent a while, then he caused me to stop and think carefully as he said, "I think God is saying that if you go He will go with you and if you stay and wait for another invitation He will wait with you too."
I mean, damn! Here was I waiting to be obedient to whatever God offered as the way ahead and He makes me choose. In fact what my colleague told me is true, it's even a good summary of what the Bible tells us about God as the Ever-present and the All-Wise.
Here's what I think God was doing to me; He was making me make a choice that I could look back on as a good reason for presevering, and for pursuing the kind of ministry that is consistent with who I was and who He was making me at that time. Not question about His approval or His empowering, those questions are already answered in both the Bible and in way in which we find ourselves pursuing our call as servants of the Lord's people.
I didn't need God to yell at me, I just needed to listen to the conversation that's been going on since I was 7 and was somewhat amplified when I was 25; and pay attention to God's loving self-revelation both in the written word and the Living Word, Jesus His Son.
Oh, and while I'm on the subject of prayer, I highly recommend Louie Giglio's DVD Prayer: the remix. Louie is a driving force in the Passion movement and a much loved Evangelist.