Posts from 2020 (Page 2)

Dear Congregation, The pivotal truth at the heart of the Reformation was the truth of justification. It hinged on the question of how can one be just in the sight of a holy God. It is still a vital question for people to wrestle with today. The Medieval Church taught that justification is an ongoing internal transformation by which a person is becoming more and more…

Dear Congregation, October is Reformation month, in which Luther’s action of nailing 95 points for discussion on the The pivotal action of course was much earlier when in the midst of his own personal struggle with God and seeking peace with God from a troubled and troubling conscience he found that the church could not help. However, he did find help where the church…

‘How’s your appetite?’ A question that a doctor might ask you. But it is also a question a Pastor should ask from time to time. Now appetite is an interesting word – well when it is satisfied or anticipating so, but not so much when it is not. I’m talking about the word ‘appetite’ which has come into our language through old French from ancient Latin appetitus, literally…

Will it be ‘single-figure-Sunday’? It was not so Friday or Saturday… despite hopes. Is this the new ‘game’ to sweep over Melbourne, a game borne of increasing optimism albeit subdued? If not Sunday will it be ‘mono-figure-Monday’? Yet we dare not expect too much as here in Melbourne we wait with some anticipation for the Government’s response tomorrow as it adjusts the…

Dear Congregation, Once again tomorrow I will look across the distinctly empty pews of the church, and yes I will remember that most of you are watching via YouTube – remembering, how important that is, and none more so than in terms of the grace of God to us through Jesus Christ in whom He is gathering  and establishing a people as His people, a people of faith, a…

Dear Congregation, Someone recently described living under the covid-restrictions as running a race we didn’t want to run, only to find that it is a marathon no one is happy about. He said: ‘It’s like we were all signed up for a marathon we didn’t want to run, and as we approach what looks like the finish line, we are told, ‘Just keep running!’” Here in Victoria this week…

Dear Congregation, This morning I heard a question I’ve never heard asked before, which is probably saying a lot about the finiteness of my experience. It was introduced as a bonding type question: ‘Does anyone here come from a family?’               Now I’ll let you in on the context, it was asked by Fred…

Dear Congregation, Alec Motyer asks the question, ‘How far back in your life can you trace the hand of God?’ He adds ‘If you have never done this, I venture to think you will be surprised!’ Well that is a challenge too good to pass up on, don’t you think? Perhaps we will discover that we are not, and have not been as conscious of the hand of God on our lives as we ought.…

Do remember the contemporary Christian hymn by Leonard E Smith, ‘How lovely on the mountains…” that has the chorus repeating the simple yet profound phrase “Our God reigns”? This is how it starts…               How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him Who brings good news, good news Announcing peace,…

Dear Congregation, Earlier this week I was reminded of the hymn “Count your blessing, name them one by one…” It is so easy to be overwhelmed by the restrictions on movement and its impact on life… but are their blessings? Surely. I decided to keep an eye on at least one each day this week. Day by day I have noted the blessing discovered and enjoyed that day. Monday: A…