How to ditch the pitch on New Year's Resolutions

by Carolyne Rohrig

It’s that time of year again.
I don’t mean Hanukkah.
Or Christmas.
I’m talking about those pesky New Year’s resolutions.
This year I’m staying clear of them.
I’ll let you make them if you want.

I’m not going to go on a diet, buy a gym membership, eat healthier, or be nicer to my brother.
I am staying just the way I am. Plump, self-indulgent, and cranky.
I don’t like failure. Who does? I don’t want to start the New Year in the negative. I want a few weeks of blissful self-illusion.

Have you noticed as the year closes how your inbox expands with tips for improved living? How to speak Hebrew in six weeks. How to find the mate of your dreams online. How to improve your relationship with your therapist. How to write a memoir.

All it takes is money. And sweat.
No thanks.

You’d think everyone would see the hype, but every year there are enough desperate people who believe the gimmicks.

The truth is we all want hope. Every one of us wants to be thinner, healthier, younger, and wealthier.
But have you noticed how these things promise results but deliver disappointment?
The gym banks on you dropping out.
The recipe you’re making only works on TV.
Last year’s fashions are this year’s thrift store deals.
Nothing changes, and everything changes.

If we put our hope in things, we’ll soon discover we’re bankrupt.
There’s only one place to put our hope and it’s in a person— Yeshua (Jesus). When he makes a promise, he delivers it. And he promised that if anyone puts their trust in him as Messiah, he will forgive their sins and give them eternal life.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. – John 6:40 NKJV

Now that’s my idea of success. The certain kind.

Why bother with lesser promises that don’t deliver when you can have God-guaranteed ones?  Instead of self-improvement propaganda, find the lasting improvements only God can offer.
I’d rather be chunky and happy in Jesus than nasty and model-thin without Him.

How about you? Are you ready to put your hope in Jesus?
Leave me a fat comment.

Will the real Christmas please stand up?

I loved this Christmas video today. I got a little dizzy as the camera almost sped around the speaker, but I listened and agreed. And I don't usually like rap-style communication!

Maybe you will like it as well.

Or maybe you have already chosen to disregard the stooper. I hope not. I hope you listen with both ears, and with the ears of your heart.

It can't hurt, you know?

Here's the video from the UK:

Then please, tell me, or better yet, tell someone else about your beliefs about Santa or about the Messiah. Which is the real Christmas? Will the real Christmas please stand up?

Welcome vs Accommodation ...Santa, Sweden, and you!

Welcome in English. Vilkommen in German. Bienvenidos (Spanish), and Baruch Haba (Hebrew)... it all indicates open arms and open doors. I like that. We have made welcome a major part of our activity and purposes here in Sydney at our bookshop. Welcome matters to those who often feel outside, whether being outside is real or imagined. Can 'welcome' go too far?

What about this which happened in Sweden in 2018? The Bishop of Stockholm has proposed a church in her diocese remove all Christian symbols including crucifixes and instead put down markings showing the direction to Mecca for the benefit of Muslim worshippers.

Here's the article.

"The bishop indicated all airports and hospitals already had multi-faith prayer rooms, and converting the dockyard church would only bring it up to speed. Regardless, the announcement has aroused protest." (from the article)

The difference, of course, is that a church is not a multi-faith prayer room. It's designed to represent. When people think 'prayer rooms' at airports and hospitals, they think that it's ok for a (Muslim, Jew, Zoroastrian, Baptist) to pray there. Maybe you have gone into one of those open spaces. I certainly have. And I find it a safe and worthy place for prayer.

Come to think of it, I wonder if the bishop would recommend that the word "prayer" be removed since prayer implies talking to God, and atheists would feel unwelcome there. If it's inclusion she wants, then a 'meditation' room or even "quiet room' would be a better term so that no one feels excluded.

But this would be madness. 

The local priest at the Seamen's church declined to obey the bishop. When asked whether she would be removing the cross from her church, Kiki Wetterberg responded: “I have no problem with Muslim or Hindu sailors coming here and praying. But I believe that we are a Christian church, so we keep the symbols. If I visit a mosque I do not ask them to take down their symbols. It’s my choice to go in there”.

I remember being told I could not preach at a Christian school here in Sydney some years ago. Why? After all, I had a very good reception in my previous visit. What was the reason the chaplain gave? Some Jewish parents who send their child to SCEGGS (Sydney CHURCH OF ENGLAND Girls Grammar School) were offended and voiced their offense. The authorities accommodated the offended parents and refused to allow me to speak about Jesus in their school. That is madness. There are Jewish schools in town. There are secular schools in town. If a Jewish parent wants to prevent their child from hearing about Jesus in school, send your child elsewhere! But the school wimped out, and thus didn't represent their own name and values.

Accommodation is not the same as welcome.  Every bishop takes a vow at the consecration, no matter what denomination s/he serves, to uphold the denomination and the creeds of the church. In this case, she represents the church. The church pays her salary. The church is right to expect her to stand up for their tenets and values. But the Swedish church should be disappointed with her. She is failing. Maybe she should go work for the airport or hospital as a chaplain. 

Christmas brings out more protests from some evangelicals. It seems that some are protesting similar things about churches having Santa Claus and Christmas trees at this time of year. Protesters allege that Santa is an anagram for Satan and that he is a poor substitute for the God of the Bible. Churches say they are trying to bring in families, especially children, for whom Christmas is all about the jolly, red-bellied, bearer of gifts. And thus, they accommodate the commercial-driven St Nick who knows if you've been bad or good. 

Having a petting zoo or a visit from Santa doesn't worry me if the church makes clear that Jesus is the reason for the season. But I understand the disgruntlement of the opponents. 

What do you think? Should the use of Santa's secular stuff, or Muslim arrows be allowed in churches? Should Jewish parents require Christian schools to accommodate their wishes? Should Christian kids attending Jewish schools request communion be served or the reading of the New Testament be included in biblical studies?

No matter what you conclude in these matters... you are welcome to church this weekend and Christmas. You can watch Carols in the Myer Bowl or from St Paul's in London.  God opens His arms to all people. You want to see His welcome? 

Diego Velasquez painted this crucifixion scene. Yeshua's arms are open wide, to bear the sins of the people. To bear my sins. To bear your sins. You want welcome? God welcomes you. He longs to be in relationship with you. Won't you receive his love, even today?

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten son so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. "(John 3.16)

Born is the King of Israel

"The first noel, the angel did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay... lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter's night that was so deep. Noel, noel...born is the king of Israel."

The Christmas carol is one of the most-often sung at Carols in the Domain. Each chorus ends with the phrase, "Born is the King of Israel."  But wait a minute, you say, Christmas is about Jesus and therefore Christianity. And the King of Israel sounds Jewish. What does Christmas have to do with things Jewish?

Look, Jesus (his name in Hebrew is Yeshua) was a Jewish boy in his youth. He never converted to Christianity. He led a Jewish life in Israel. Born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth up north, and when he hit 30 years old, he began to preach the Kingdom of God in public. How did he do that? As the King of Israel, he could do so.

Jewish people had kings from about 1,000 years before Jesus was born. Saul was the first king of Israel. Then instead of Saul's son, Jonathan, Jonathan's friend David became king of Israel. Then David's son, Solomon became the king in David's place. After that we had kings for both the Southern areas of modern Israel (Then called "Judah") and the Northern parts of modern Israel (then called "Israel" or "Ephraim"). Kings included Jeroboam, Rehoboam, Uzziah, Hezekiah, and many others.

Kings are responsible for ruling. They reign. And they make executive decisions. And they decide from mighty nations far and wide. Sometimes they engage in warfare. They make alliances and care for their own people. Kings are responsible and smart. They seek advice and employ wisdom in their decisions making. Usually they are born in royalty and thus enjoy ease from their youth.

But Yeshua was different. He was born in a stable. He had no royal maids and servants to serve him. He came from King David's lineage but was born in poverty. He grew up in the home of Joseph and Miriam, in a little village of no significance. His father was a carpenter. No real time for books. No real time for laziness. He worked hard. He grew in wisdom from his youth.

At about age 30 he began what would be called 'public ministry.' He was an itinerant and mendicant. He observed Jewish holidays and attended synagogues and the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. He preached the Kingdom of God since He was the King. And HE proclaimed himself as Messiah, Saviour, and Lord.

His death is well recorded. His burial was almost immediate. Then on the third day, he rose from the dead there in Jerusalem. His authority was intact. His nature sublime and supreme. The King of Kings rose from death's dungeon.

And one day soon he's going to return. And his name, "King of Kings" will be written on his thigh and on his robe.

He is the king of all those who think they are kings.
He is the king of all those who dismiss him.
He is your king.
He is my king.

Christmas is about the birth of the king of Israel. And the king of everyone who puts their trust in him. Will you do that just now?

Christmas... what is it about anyway?

We figured that not everyone knows the story, after all, it's been a bit confused the last few years with significant alternative stories tossed in. That said, here's the account from the historical record. Not to be confused with St Nicholas or good ol' Saint Nick. Not to be confused with David Jones and merchandising. Not to be confused with presents under a tree. Here it is, from about 2,000 years ago. Read it once and really listen to the words. Then if you have time, please tell us what you think?

"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,  just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us,  it seemed fitting for me as well, having ¹investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;  so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. 

  In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.  And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.  And they had no child because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. 

  Now it came about, while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,  according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.  And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.  And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear gripped him.  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.  “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.  “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother’s womb.  “And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.  “And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 

  And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this for certain? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”  And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I have been sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.  “And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place because you did not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their proper time.”  And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.  But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple, and he kept making signs to them and remained mute.  And it came about, when the days of his priestly service were ended, that he went back home. 

  And after these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant; and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,  “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.” 

  Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth,  to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of King David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And coming in, he said to her, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at this statement and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be.  And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  “And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Yeshua (Jesus in English).  “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.”  

  And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I am a virgin?”  And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, and for that reason, the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.  “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.  “For nothing will be impossible with God.”  And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

  Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah,  and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.  And it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.  “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”  

And Mary said:

“My soul exalts the Lord, 

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 

“For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;

For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 

“For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

And holy is His name. 

“AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION

TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. 

“He has done mighty deeds with His arm;

He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. 

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones,

And has exalted those who were humble. 

“HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;

And sent away the rich empty-handed. 

“He has given help to Israel His servant,

In remembrance of His mercy, 

as He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and his offspring forever.” 

  And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. 

  Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she brought forth a son.  And her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her, and they were rejoicing with her.  And it came about that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father.  And his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.”  And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.”  And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.  And he asked for a tablet, and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished.  And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God.  And fear came on all those living around them, and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea.  And all who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him. 

  And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 

And has raised up a horn of salvation for us

In the house of David his servant — 

as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old — 

Salvation from OUR ENEMIES,

And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; 

to show mercy toward our fathers,

And to remember His holy covenant, 

The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, 

To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

Might serve Him without fear, 

In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. 

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

For you will go on before THE LORD TO prepare HIS WAYS; 

To give to His people the knowledge of salvation

By the forgiveness of their sins, 

Because of the tender mercy of our God,

With which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us, 

TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH,

To guide our feet into the way of peace.” 

  and the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel. 

  Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.  This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all were proceeding to register for the census, every one to his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,  in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was with child.  And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her first-born son, and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. 

  And in the same region, there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened.  And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;  for today in the city of David, there has been born for you a savior, who is Messiah the Lord.  “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 

   And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.  And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.  And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. 

  And when eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then called Yeshua, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 

  And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “every first-born MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”),  and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES, OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”  

  And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s ¹Christ.  And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,  then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 

“Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart

In peace, according to Thy word; 

For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, 

Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 

^aA LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,

And the glory of Thy people Israel.” 

And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.  And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed —  and a sword will pierce even your own soul — to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”  And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage,  and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.  And at that very moment, she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 

  And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.  and the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. 
-------------------------------------------------------

End of the historical record from Luke chapters 1 and 2.

Now you know the real story. 

What do you think?

An invitation to hope (from Psalm 85)

A sermon Given at Epping Baptist Church

Epping (Sydney) NSW

9 December 2018

Introduction

Shalom and thank you to Andrew for welcoming me again to the pulpit and for assigning me both the topic and the Bible passage to consider. Today we read Psalm 85 and consider the topic, “An invitation to hope.” I understand this is part 2 of a four-part series, where invitations are given: an invitation to peace, to hope, to see, and to receive Him. I like this. I’m not the opening batsman, but I’m included, and I appreciate the welcome.

Today I will also mention some things about Jews for Jesus, the organization with which I’ve worked for 39 years, and a couple of our activities in Bondi Junction and around the globe. 

You have received a white card with the words “Jews for Jesus” at the top. Please fill that out during my talk and drop it into the collection as it is passed or drop it off at my resource table this morning. Thank you.  (If you are reading this online, just drop me a note there and ask to receive more information.)

Hope is a good theme, especially for folks like me, optimists they call us. Some might render my thinking as Polyanna, but I prefer optimism. Desmond Tutu, former archbishop of South Africa, said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Napoleon Bonaparte said, “A leader is a dealer in hope.”

So, let’s talk about hope, especially at this time of the year, which some call the most wonderful time of the year.

This season of year: The most wonderful

But for many it isn’t. More suicides are committed in December in the US and Europe than any other time of year. I guess when it’s the most wonderful for others, that wonderfulness aggravates the lonely and depressed, and heightens their own awareness of sadness. Suicide is a tough reality; harsh for everyone involved. Those interviewed in mental hospitals and other places after suicide attempts repeat that the main rationale for the attempts is depression and hopelessness. 

As I age, one of the most painful realities of suicide is how many young people decide to check out and off themselves at this time. Or any time for that matter. Hope to me sounds like something forward rolling. And despair sounds like something where there is no chance of change. So, when a young person, with their whole life ahead of them, decides to check out and leave life as we know it, it shouts louder to me. It says that we are not offering them real hope; that real hope is missing. 

Look, when I was a teen and young man, we did all kinds of things that young folks are still doing today. We were called the free love generation, with drugs, sex and rock ‘n roll. And today young people are still doing those things, but for very different reasons. Back then we did what our parents considered wrong or out-of-bounds so that we could make the world a better place. Today some young people are doing wrong things because there is no hope of a better world, or a change to come. It’s hopelessness and despair. What darkness!

Does the Bible have anything to say about this?

Psalm 85 is our chosen text of the day. And it certainly gives us hope without using the actual word ‘hope.’ Hope is a door, an anchor and a helmet in the similes mentioned in the rest of Scripture and carries a significance of something in the future. Compare faith which is almost always in the now, in the present, hope is something unshakeable and a bulwark for us related to what’s ahead. I suppose that would be a useful light to shine into the darkness of despair, wouldn’t you think?

The text is a prayer which is sung. The words then are lyrics of a song sung in the Temple by the sons of Korah. The song lists some things that God has accomplished. 

Verse 1. You showed favour.That sounds like a modern would say, “We won the tournament. I got a raise at work. The Christmas bonus came through, just in time. I forgot to bring in the washing off the line, but my kids brought it in last night!” In other words, if I were God’s favourite, the evidence is in and I was benefited. In ancient Israel, the favour, especially to the land of Israel, has to do with crops and abundant harvest. When God smiled down from heaven, it showed in our economy.

Verse 2. You forgave. This is easy to unpack. If you know about God, and you know enough about yourself, you know that you sin. You know you fall short of God’s standards. You don’t have to be very religious, you just have to admit your failures against people, against those you love, and against God most importantly. Then when you admit those, and you hear these words, “I forgive you,” there is no greater gladness in the world. Forgiveness is cleansing. Forgiveness is a reboot. Forgiveness is life when sin brought death and pain.

Verse 3. You set aside wrath.The sons of Korah sing this phrase. If God didn’t forgive us, then we are guilty, and thus warrant punishment. When they sing that God sets wrath aside, they are saying that I’m justified, that is, just as if I’d never sinned, and cleansing releases God from the requirement to discipline or punish me. It’s God’s initiative and I’m the recipient. 

Now all this is a reiteration of the relationship the believer has with God. Then the song turns to request. Given that God has done so many things for us, may we ask him for more? This could be seen as childish demands before Christmas, wanting more and more to satisfy some particular greed. But that’s not the way the Bible describes it. The sons of Korah are not greedy; they are believers. They are singing of the nature of God, not the nature of themselves or all of us in humanity.

Verse 4 then moves to petition. 

Restore us.The Hebrew word root is Shuv, meaning return.  Shuvanu. Make us return. Return to us. Restore us to something or somewhere. Restore what things used to be like.  

The poem is asking God to make relationship with him so significant, that our salvation is demonstrated in hope. “Cause your indignation to cease”. The word indignation can be translated as sorrow, grief, anxiety, anger, displeasure, or annoyance. 

In other words, all those things that mire us in the mud of this life, and cause us dissatisfaction or pain, and make us consider despair as the end of it all, God, help rid us of that. My friends, here in Epping, this is hope! It’s tangible hope. And it’s not private. 

Three times in this one verse, the ending of the word is “nu” meaning ‘us!” There is something communal about redemption and about forgiveness, and more importantly for our lesson today, there is something communal about hope. Restore us. God of our salvation. Stop this indignation against us.  I love that. We should love that. Hope includes my family. Hope includes the guy across the church from you just now. Hope includes the lady who used to sit near you, who won’t attend church any more for whatever reason. We are incomplete without her. Without you. My hope is emptier when you are not included.

The psalm continues.

Verse 4: Will you be angry forever?

Like a kid coming into the lounge room and asking his parents if they are upset or will continue to be upset for a long time. The petition is one based on relationship, not based on a formal, kingly servant to boss feeling. This is a genuine question based on hope. Things can be different. Will you change or will this be passed on from one generation to the next. 

Generation to generation

Billy Graham died in February this year and left a legacy of millions of people touched by his ministry. His son and grandson have taken up where he left off, and in fact Franklin is coming to Sydney and throughout Australia next year to bring stadium ministry to us. There was a time when Franklin was not walking with the Lord, and I can imagine Billy praying for him the words of this psalm. He might have said, “God, will your anger go to the next generation?” In other words, please don’t make my son pay for my own sins. Restore us, me and him. We get to pray in good hope for our children, and our pastor’s family, and our neighbours, and for our world, in good hope.

Verse 6. If you revive us, we will rejoice in you.Our condition, seemingly despairing, can be changed. And it’s not private. It’s not individual. God wants to bring us back to life, and cause us great joy. 

I was part of the Jesus revolution of the late 1960s and early 1970s. I came to Yeshua in 1971 in Kansas City in the middle of the US. I was raised an Orthodox Jew and had a season of waywardness, wandering in the American south, playing hippie, looking for meaning and relevance. In May that year, some brand-new believers were out on the streets and in the parks, sharing their faith. And in that share, I heard a hopeful message. One I’ll never forget is not found in the Bible, but the young witness said to me, “If you accept Christ, the green grass (of the park) will be greener; the blue sky will be bluer.” Now admittedly, that’s nowhere in the Book, but it spoke to my heart. I began to read the pages of the Newer Testament and found in three days that Jesus was the answer to all my deepest longing. 

I went to a believer’s house and ended up praying with her and professing faith in Jesus as my Saviour and Messiah and Lord. I immediately wanted everyone to know this joy. 

If I had found new life, if would be rude and downright unneighbourly to keep it from others. If I had been forgiven of my sins, I wanted everyone to be forgiven of their sins. Redemption wasn’t private. It was personal, of course, but it needed to be shared. 

The lyrics say, “if you revive us, your people will rejoice in you.”

Where is hope really found?

So how will this actually take place? Where is hope, really?

Verse 7 says, “Show us your lovingkindness, your chesed.” The gift of God is eternal life. No one earns it. What do we earn? The wages of sin is death. Our life is complex, to be sure, and the more you know you, the more you know you deserve death and separation from the Almighty. But God, being rich in mercy, because of that great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenlyplacesin Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; notas a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph 2.4-9)

Doesn’t that quote from Ephesians sound like this psalm? It’s plural. He raised us up. We were dead. He made us alive. Friends this is corporate hope. We are going to be with God forever. Hallelujah!

Verse 8. He promises peace to his saints based on his word. That’s why we unpack a Bible passage at church each week. That’s why we read the Bible at all. His promises are there. We have hope because of what God says, not based on what Ross Greenwood or Kochie tell us each morning about the ASX and the Footsie. Not based on what the Sydney Swans or the Aussie cricketers are doing or not doing in Adelaide this week. Our hope is built on nothing less than

Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
	On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand,

It’s the season to share hope 

Today is the 2^ndSunday in Advent. Most Christians in the West have lost the sacred calendar the church gave us a long time ago. But Advent is a time of waiting. Anticipation. Since about 1930 this anticipation has adjusted in our modern world to waiting for time off from work and more presents under a tree. It’s about getting and the frenzy of packaging gifts for giving. 

But Advent is a time of listening and getting right with God in anticipation of his 2^ndcoming. 

And reading this story again may help you see where your hope is found.

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Andit had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2.25-32)

Simeon, this old man in Jerusalem, where I’ve worked twice this year, and let me say the city has features that make it look about the same as it did when Simeon was there, was promised something from God. God told him that he would see the consolation of Israel. Console. Comfort. Greek word is paraclete, like a lawyer, like a hope. Like THE HOPE of Israel. And Simeon saw the baby and took him in his arms. Imagine the faith of Mary and Joseph on this circumcision day to give their new baby to an old man. 

The Simeon said this one is God’s salvation. A light to bring light and hope to the Gentiles and glory to the Jewish people. He could have been reading the psalms at the time. IF the Hope of Israel is in the house, then His salvation has come to all mankind. The light to lighten Gentiles. No more darkness. No more despair. Light.

The babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

The messiah has come. His name is Yeshua. The Hebrew word Yeshua means ‘salvation.’  His name is his ministry. He didn’t come to heal, although he healed. He didn’t come to teach, although he taught. He didn’t come to do miracles, although they attested to who he was. 

He came to save. His name is Yeshua.

He came to save the Jewish people.

He came to save Gentiles.

He came to save Simeon and Anna and Ross Greenwood and David Koch and Tim Paine and you and me and our family. 

Thanks be to God for all his love and kindness. And for his word which describes his eternal love for us. 

Tonight, we have the event of the carols. We will sing about the love of God in Jesus. We will invite neighbours and friends. We should invite enemies. We should invite those who used to sit in our pew who are no longer here. We have an invitation ourselves. 

And that invitation is not only to an event. We invite you to join us in this invitation to hope. 

If you receive Jesus as your saviour, you will have hope.

Not a hope for bigger and shinier presents tonight on the last night of Hanukkah, or on Christmas morning. 

But a hope for the best news of all, salvation together as a people, who know their God. And our hope is built on nothing less. Nothing less than the Messiah himself.

Won’t you say ‘yes’ to that invitation just now?

Concluding remarks

Thank you, Andrew, for letting me return and share in this festive season. Thank you for this assigned topic and great biblical passage to unpack. Thank you, to each of you, who has given me your ear today. Please consider this invitation. Please join me, if you are already a believer, in sharing this message of eternal life, by donating in the offering, by turning in that white card after you filled it out, by picking up some products on the resource table. Let’s work together to proclaim him, the hope of Israel and the hope of the world. Amen?

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The assigned text:

“Restore us, O God of our salvation, 

      And cause Your indignation toward us to cease. 

Will You be angry with us forever? 

      Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? 

Will You not Yourself revive us again, 

      That Your people may rejoice in You? 

Show us Your lovingkindness, O LORD, 

And grant us Your salvation.” (Psalm 85.4-7)

Timing is everything

A full three hours before I arrive at our rented house in Melbourne’s suburb, my GPS told me that it would take another three hours of driving, that I would arrive at 4:18 PM back at the house. I sent a note to one of our colleagues who was awaiting the car for hand off, so he could plan his day, which included an appointment he had at 5 o'clock. If I arrived as scheduled, he would make his appointment with ease. To me it was amazing. I was so distant and yet my little machine could sort out all this out. I arrived at 4:18 pm.

In another case, the size of the baby on the sonogram told the doctors a likely date for the birth of our third grandson in October this year. As a result, my wife and I made bookings to fly over on certain days in acknowledgment of that medical prediction. The date: 27 October.  I guess it should come as no surprise that just past midnight on 27 October our daughter’s little one entered the world. What precision in their prediction four months earlier? Timing really is everything.

 I think about the some of the sins of the people of God. For instance, when you think about the Golden Calf the Jewish people began to get into trouble when they saw Moses delayed in descending Mt Sinai, and they grew weary of waiting. They could wait no longer and built something else to work and give them satisfaction. Of course, the issue was their relationship with God, not with Moses, but it demonstrated itself in their impatience with him. (Exodus 32.1. “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”)

King Saul was told to wait by Samuel the prophet. (1 Sam 10.8. “And you shall go down before me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings. You shall wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you should do.”)Saul waited seven days butwas reluctant to wait beyond what he seemed reasonable. Thus, before Samuel returned Saul went back to making up his own rules and forgot about the command to wait.  And God judged him severely. (For more on this see this website)

Here in Sydney we pray regularly for the Lord to do His bidding in our lives in a time that suits Him. Yesterday I was working at the office when a phone call from Fairfax Media interrupted. Would we want to take an advert in the Friday paper? Full page. Back of a pull-out section. Discount price. Everything seemed right. I shot up a quick prayer to the Almighty. Within minutes, not only had I written up the text but had spoken directly with an artist who would put together the advert required, in the time required. It was due in less than 24 hours!

Sure enough within the time required, we had a beautiful advertisement and anticipate a great response to the ad running on the Friday of Hanukkah this year. Timing is everything.

Last Saturday I went to ANZ Stadium to pray. What? No synagogues in my neighbourhood? Of course, but this was a special stadium event titled “Jesus loves Australia.” I had heard about it only a few weeks earlier and it captured my attention. 

I began promoting the event on my Facebook and Twitter. Some said they would attend as well. The event was 10 am to 4 pm for prayers, and some other activities and a concert would be held later that afternoon/evening. 

When I received an invitation to pray from the stage last week, I was humbled, and quickly accepted. I prayed about what to pray and God led me well. I took my tallit and kippah, travelled to the stadium and gathered with the others. I was led to the stage, and was the opening batsman, the first one of the invitees, and there were dozens and dozens, to pray. Well, “to the Jew first” makes sense.

I stayed in the stadium and was about ready to leave at 4 pm when some Chinese Christian ladies I had met previously approached me. They introduced me to Amy, and said, “She’s an unbeliever!” and with the wave of an arm invited me to do what I do, to share the love of Jesus with this teenager. 

Long story short, she prayed and professed Jesus as her saviour and Lord. And the ladies were taking photos and Amy was crying and God was smiling. Timing is everything… I was ready to leave and got distracted by a quick catch-up with a mate just metres from where these Chinese ladies found me. If I had left; if my mate hadn’t stopped me; if… but God’s timing is everything.

 And God’s timing is still everything in your life today.

Look up and see Him. Wait when He says, ‘wait.’  Go when He says, “Go!” Serve when He says, “serve” and well, you get the idea. Do what God says. 

Life is good when He is our GPS.

Life is good when He defines our timing.

The Psalmist said, “My times are in Your hand.” (Psalm 31.15)

That’s my humble offering to you this 5^thday of December, and the 4^thnight of Hanukkah.