EXPLORING THE BIBLE
12th July Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Today’s parable is almost too familiar… and it comes with an explanation too. There’s no excuse, really, for not hearing, understanding, and applying the word in a way that is…
Read More5th July Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus challenges our view of what it means to follow.
Read MoreJune 21 Matthew 10: 24 – 32
We live in an age where financial greed motivates efforts to make things as inexpensive, and impermanent and short lived as possible. With often only a fake appearance of being attractive and usable, this all too quickly disappears and is gone.
Read MoreJune 14 Matthew 9: 1 – 13
Jesus empowers us to come, follow Him, but we have to get up and start moving as Matthew did so long ago. William Barclay says in his commentary on Matthew, ”that no [one] ever had such faith in possibilities of human nature as Jesus did”. He saw something in the face of this one called God’s gift that others could not see. Jesus saw one who would get up and follow Him.
Read MoreJune 7th Matthew 28:16 – 20
Today we celebrate the Ascension and the Holy Trinity. This lesson does not speak of the Lord’s ascension but it gives clues to its significance – the great commission to make disciples of all nations and its relationship to the Trinity.
Read MoreMay 31 Acts 2:1-21 Num 11:24-30 1 Cor 12:3b-13 Jn 20:19-23
Whilst this is a very specific incident, it made me think of my friend back in Hobart, and how often the ‘spirit’ of one person can rub off on another, for good, or ill. It made me ask the questions, “What impression do I make on others? What is it of my spirit that rubs off on other people? Is it something positive or something negative?”
Read MoreMay 24 Acts 1:6-14 Ps 68:1-10, 32-35 1 Pt 4:12-14, 5:6-11 Jn 17:1-11
The last words Jesus spoke before he was lifted up into the clouds (Acts 1:9) included a call to mission: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” There was no time for Jesus’ disciples to stand gazing into the sky. They had work to do. So do we. And we have the Holy Spirit to help us, as Jesus promised.
Read MoreMay 17 Acts 17:22-31 Ps 66:8-20 1 Pt 3:13-22 Jn 14:15-21
He claimed that people were desperately seeking some kind of meaning or transcendence in all kinds of places, and that the challenge for the church was not to try to interest people in spiritual things, but rather to show why what we have to offer is better than anything else in the massive smorgasbord of spiritual options available.
Read MoreMay 10 Acts 7:55-60 Ps 31:1-5, 15-16 1 Pt 2:2-10 Jn 14:1-14
In this week’s gospel reading, Jesus promises his disciples (and us!) a place to belong: ‘In my father’s house there are many dwelling-places… and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.’
Read MoreMay 3 Acts 2:42-47 Ps 23 1 Pt 2:19-25 Jn 10:1-10
“…..What may be missing, too often, is not the teaching and learning, the fellowship, communion, or prayer: it may be the awe. The ‘wonders and signs’ may be passing us by, without our taking notice.”
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