M A T T H E W  16 v 18

 I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.  These are the words of Jesus as He makes His way to the Cross.  He has met with His Apostles and asks them who they say He is.  They tell Him various names but Peter responded by saying ‘you are the Christ, the Son of the living God’.  Jesus is thrilled by this answer and said on that statement He would build His Church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it.

When Jesus used the word ‘Church’, He was referring to an assembly of believers meeting together in worship.  The Church has a special place in the plan of God and we have to know how we are to live and function within that plan.

It does not belong to any nation or place. It is one composed of those who have joined to Christ in faith.  It is a Church with one body, one heart and mind, holding the same beliefs and believe the same doctrine for salvation. It is a Church with one head, Jesus Christ

Jesus was referring to an assembly of believers meeting together in worship; to be committed to the teaching of the Apostles, which Jesus gave; to learn about the Bible

God has promised to care for all his people, if they have observed all that God has laid down in his manual, which will lead to eternal salvation; it is called the Bible. The alternative is eternal darkness

Having delegated first to Peter and the Apostles to continue the work He had begun, Jesus now passes the responsibility down to us in our age to continue to preach the gospel, and every Christian has the duty to play their part in the spread of the gospel.   The Church has a special place in the plan of God, and we have to know how we are to live within that plan,   God calls us to listen, to accept follow Jesus, bringing the message of the gospel, which would lead people to gain salvation.

 In John 17, Jesus prayed for His  people, and clearly referred to those who were not of the world   It was never intended to be seen as a building in which anyone could call to have some infant or child baptized  as a once off protection against an illness or other mishap; nor to be a nice setting for a wedding,

The first Christian Church was formed on the day of Pentecost, when the Apostle Peter preached the first sermon to Jews and Gentiles, after which 3,000 people asked Peter what they should do.  He told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy spirit.  They did so and devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles, which is the foundation of the New Testament.

Acts 2, we find the early Church responded without coercion, to meet to listen to the preaching of the gospel as given by the Apostles, and we see they grew daily as they acted upon that teaching.  God blessed that Church and added to their number.

This raises the presumption that God will not bless those who now lead the Church,   as it celebrates that which contradicts His Holy Word. The Bible is the supreme authority for the Church, the conveyance of all truth.

Every Christian who values and loves their Church must at times feel depressed at the level of attendances at Church, unless of course a baptism or wedding is desired when people feel the Church can be useful and offer them something.  I accept that numbers are not the be all and end all of Church worship, or a verdict on any particular Church, but there must always be a need for every Church to consider whether the worship offered is as worthy as it ought to be.  In many cases I do not think it is. 

There is much that can and should be done to make a Church appeal to non-members.  The building itself should look smart and be clean looking, which is not always so.  Selected men and women, recognised for their engaging personalities, need to be appointed to greet people attending so that visitors feel we are glad to see them and make them feel welcome.  Regular members too need to be encouraged to speak and be friendly with visitors, rather than look at them as if intruders. 

In Anglican Churches the services can be confusing to strangers as there are so many alternatives offered.  I have officiated at numerous Churches and not found the same service exactly at any two Churches, so an offer to help and guide may be appreciated. Having changed the worship of the Prayer Book to the Alternative service Book, which had meaningful forms of service, we now have Common Worship in which the formulators couldn’t make their minds up as to which Eucharistic prayer should be used. I used to advise my Church stewards to try and introduce a stranger to someone of like age and sex to make them feel more comfortable.  When leaving after the service, the Minister(s) should always be at the exit to meet people. 

However, the most important part is that between the coming and leaving.  Services should be bright with tuneful hymns, perhaps altering tunes to hymns that are felt necessary if the set one is of the mournful type.  I was at a service where for ten minutes a choral rendition of Purcell’s ‘Rejoice in the Lord’ was sung, followed later by Stanford’s ‘Te deum’, which is fine for the right place, but an ordinary parish Communion is not my idea of the right place. 

I don’t think it is generally recognised how important music is in a service. Music stirs the mind and moves the heart.  In every Crusade, from Sankey and Moody, the Welsh revival and most notably the great Billy Graham Crusades, the singing of hymns and spiritual songs has been a dominant feature to complement the inspirational preaching. The Evangelical Churches mostly pursue this format, which needs to be introduced into more Churches, and dispense with the philosophy that seems to pervade that as long we put something on it will suffice.

The sermon has been relegated in importance where once it was a central feature.  Sermons are there for a purpose, namely to tell the good news about Jesus Christ.  How can people be taught to believe the good news of the gospel if the Church fails to tell?  This is our business first and foremost.  The pulpit is there for the declaration of the gospel, and any Church which fails to respond cannot justify its reason for being there.  Ministers are to be messengers from God, bringing God message to congregations.

Sermons often lack sound teaching however, with preachers watering down the message to provide spiritual potions which will make people feel happy and guiltless.  One Vicar tells me regularly sermons need to be nice and friendly so people won’t be upset.  This always amuses me for Billy Graham use to preach to audiences of up to 80 thousands and beyond regularly, and tell them they were all a lot of sinners who would go to hell if they didn’t repent, and people flocked to hear him. 

In the Church of England we have softened our messages, had all sorts of changes,  all sorts of gimmicks, and we are still losing members. 

Surely we need to rationalise our number of Churches.  At one time every village and neighbourhood had its own parish Church (in addition to Catholic and Free Churches) and congregations were strong enough to maintain them.  This is no longer the case yet we are still trying to keep that system going.  To do so we have Vicars fleeing from one Church to another offering a token service which does no one any good, or a local preacher  who however well intentioned often has not been properly trained and rides his/her own hobby horse rather than preaching the Bible.

There is no justification for such services. Whilst there would be horror at the thought of closing some and spoiling the quintessential view and feeling of the villagers at losing their lovely Church, it should be remembered attendance is the point of having it.  There is every incentive for people living in idyllic situations, to give just an hour each week in thanks to God for such place.It would be far more sensible and realistic to prune the number of Churches.  We have seen evangelical Churches, drawing people from a wide area and offering inspiring worship, and similarly High Churches offering beautifully conducted and meaningful worship.  People find no difficulty travelling to Tesco or Sainsbury’s, which are not on their doorstep, and with some innovative transport offers the Church could be in a like position.  

Attending Church is not optional.  The Bible assumes people who are believers are connected to a local Church, where they live out their faith. Individual or independent Christianity, cannot be found anywhere in the Bible. Whilst Jesus is present bodily in heaven with believers, He is also present on earth by His Spirit so that when people are gathered  Jesus is amongst us just as surely as when He was present with His Apostles.  The Bible uses several terms to describe the Church, the most powerful being a family, consisting of people of different backgrounds, experiences, class, ages and gender.  This family extends right across the world, so that wherever you go you can have fellowship with other believers.  There is much pleasure in doing this, something no other organisation with such capacity. There is a uniqueness about the Church, was we are separated from the world’s standards and from the others of society.

But of course the Church does not exactly encourage people when it is seen to be unable to resolve theological and procedural problems quickly and quietly.

Experience has shown that when political parties are divided in their beliefs, people will think if they can’t agree amongst themselves, there is not point in them trying to give support. Similarly, such applies to the Church. 

It has to be faced there are men with a personal agenda who seem determined to undermine the Church.  The Leaders of the Church have firmly opposed same

sex marriage’, yet, senior clergy, are challenging in a disloyal, irresponsible and shameful way with no respect for unity within the Church or for Bible teaching.  This and other issues are liable to split the Church of England within, but separate it from the universal Church which includes Catholic and Orthodox Churches. 

It would be less damaging if we followed the example of  the Anglican Church of North America and formed a new Anglican Church of Great Britain based on the same foundations as of our American friends.

In the meantime each Church should strive to be true to its calling with vows honoured, and work independently of the national scene.  I firmly believe that if  a Church is a welcoming one, offers a well constructed service with tuneful hymns and an inspiring message, it will surely attract members.

Give thanks to God for His Holy Gospel. Paise the Lord Jesus Christ

      

 

Matthew 21 v 1 -11

Jesus had entered Jerusalem for the Passover festival having just raised Lazarus from the dead, and was receiving an enthusiastic welcome from crowds of people gathered for the event. This was the major festival held annually, to remember how God saved Israel. This was Jerusalem’s big annual religious festival: we might compare the Passover to our Christmas, when the Churches attract many people who attend not so much from a religious attitude, but see it as a social event.

At such a time as this, many non-Jews would go to the city to join in the celebrations. Great crowds of pilgrims had also gone to the city from the country for this Festival Feast, Many of the pilgrims had seen and heard Jesus when He was in Galilee, and wanted to welcome the opportunity to proclaim Him as the Messiah.

Matthew states the entrance of Jesus on a colt, fulfils the prophecy of Zechariah, and the presence of Jesus was an open declaration, that He was the Messiah as stated by David, and there as also a prophecy by Jacob who stated ‘your king is coming to you’ whose rule would extend over nations.

Jesus entered into Jerusalem humbly on a donkey.  Jerusalem is described in the Bible as the City of the great King (God), the centre of Israel’s religious life and Messianic expectations. Jesus referred to Himself as Lord, the Sovereign figure of the day. Matthew alone mentions a donkey and a colt, which may have been because the  moving in such a noisy entrance to the city, may have disturbed the colt so the donkey would add stability. In any event, Jesus had commanded His Apostles to fetch a donkey and colt.  

Cloaks had been spread over the ground to symbolize the crowds acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah, and palm branches were also thrown to show Jewish nationalism, with a sign of victory and with the Festival of Tabernacles.

The phrase ‘daughter of Zion’, is a term for the people of Jerusalem. Son of David means that Jesus is the Messiah, spoken of by the great king of Israel who the crowds acknowledge.  The Jewish religious leaders were troubled that Jesus was being received so well, He might usurp their power.

This event was celebrated in a different way to that which Jesus normally acted. He usually preferred to keep out of notice, sometimes be in the wilderness, which meant He fulfilled the prophecy, that He should not strive, nor let His voice be heard in public. Here, Jesus appears to come out of His normal way, and chooses to seek public attention. He makes a very public entrance to the city, at the head of His Apostles,

He rides surrounded by many people who were calling Hosanna, like king David returning to his palace in triumph, as mentioned in the Book of Samuel. All this was at a time when lots of Jews were gathered from many lands, stretching out of  Jerusalem who had come to celebrate the Passover. It was certain every house in the city had known and talked about.

The events we are reading about are important in our Lord’s life, and are told in different parts of the Bible, and for centuries in the Church, has been celebrated as Palm Sunday.  Junior Church young people would parade in streets on the way to and from the local Church, and I am sure in the religious cities of Europe and elsewhere will do so on Sunday.

Now n this country, our schools are more concerned to teach young people about sexual activities and gender change, and a lot of parents having no religious education themselves, cannot help them. Pam Sunday will not have any meaning to them, even if told what day it was.  How sad, most people of earlier generations were brought up with at least a basic religious teaching, which gave them a solid foundation for life.    

 We learn here how Jesus went into Jerusalem for one purpose, to die on this last journey. He had spent most of His life away from the city, but when the time came to give up His life for our sakes, He took care to tell the rulers, Jewish religious leaders, Scribes and Romans.

Jesus knew the greatest event in all the world’s history was about to happen, as He would suffer in the place of  sinful men and women, the momentous sacrifice for sin ever to be offered. He, the Passover Lamb about to be crucified as the principal priceful  atonement, for the world’s sin to be made. He ordered that His death be made public, so that all eyes be made on Him, and then He decided there would be many witnesses.

How sad, so many eyes will not see and many ears will no hear, the importance of the death or sayings of Jesus; of the things He taught, or try to follow His way of life, or learn of His coming back one day, when He will care for all those who accepted Him, and judge those who rejected Him. From his death, we have all our hopes, as we remember all He did for us.

Notice that when He rode into Jerusalem, it was not in a royal carriage with massed bands playing, and a host of servants like the kings (and Queens) of this world. He came on a colt, sitting on the coats of his Apostles, and without a saddle. He never had any riches or wealth, and would be buried in a borrowed tomb.

There is nothing dishonourable in being poor, through birth or other circumstances. There is nothing wrong in working in a low capacity. Always remember, many men adwomen are working to serve others, are as honourable in many ways, and far more so in many cases. I find it objectionable to see people in hotels, treating waiters and waitresses so casually, as people so inferior to themselves, when such people work for low payment, and are so often more acceptable in God’s eyes than those they are serving.

Let us do what we have to do, in the way God sees us, and not feel ashamed whatever that is, if we are acting honestly. The Savior of the World cares for all people, irrespective of their place in society.

Give thanks to God for His Holy Gospel,  Praise to Christ our Savior.

.

 John’s gospel in Chapter 12,verses 20-33. 

Turn with me to this passage which John alone tells.

Jesus had entered Jerusalem for the Passover festival having just raised Lazarus from the dead, and was receiving an enthusiastic welcome from crowds of people gathered for the festival.  This was the major festival, held annually to remember how God saved Israel.  But there were some who did not welcome Jesus, and indeed were actively plotting His death. 

At such a time as this many Gentiles would go to the city. and although not Jews would join in the celebrations.  Some Greeks were amongst the crowds, who having heard of Jesus,  were determined to meet Him.  Having heard the stories of what Jesus had done, they realized something was missing from their lives, and wanted to receive from Him that something  So when they said they wanted to see Jesus, they were in fact seeking a meeting with Him.

They were from a settlement in the North of Galilee and went to Philip who came from near their area and said to him, ‘Sir, we want to see Jesus’.  Philip told Andrew, and they told Jesus who agreed to meet them.

When Jesus was told of their request He was pleased and responded immediately.  He had not gone to Jerusalem to enter for the same purpose as the crowds had in mind, events were building up and were leading to the time of our Lord’s road to the Cross.   So when the group of people were genuinely seeking Him, He said, "The our has come for the Son of man to be glorified.

The Jews would not have understood what Jesus meant.  For them, the Son of Man conveyed an image of someone who would lead to world conquest and so attain glory, but Jesus meant it was time for Him to make the supreme sacrifice for the world by dying on the Cross ,so bringing glory to Him and to God.

He went on to say "Truly, truly, I say to you."   Whenever Jesus used those words, it meant that He was going to say something important. Jesus said, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone."   He was pointing out that when a seed died it brought forth fruit, and death brings life through people. 

As Christians were martyred for the faith, so the Church grew, and He was here meaning that He was like the grain of wheat and unless He went to the Cross, His whole purpose in coming to earth will have been in vain. He knew what He had to face, and that He is going to be glorified through the sacrifice the Cross, because by that cruel death the way to forgiveness for all believers was made possible.  If He had not made the sacrifice on the Cross, you and I and everybody else, could not have forgiveness. His death meant eternal life for all who believed in Him.

When He met those Greeks, it was as the first sign that the gospel was to go to all the world, and be part of God’s plan to bring salvation to the Gentiles, the symbol of the great harvest for which He came.

If He had not died, we probably would not know any more about Him, for He would have just been another figure of history, of no greater significance than any other great religious leader. Because of the Cross, He was able to do something He could never have done otherwise.

Jesus said, the one who loves their life will lose it.  He was referring to those who live solely for themselves, and out to get as much as they can without thought for others.  Billy Graham received offers which would have made him a very rich man, but made clear his greatest desire was to preach the gospel, for which he only took the salary of an ordinary Baptist Minister.

Christians generally are called to put service of the Lord first, and indeed there are many men and women who could have followed brilliant careers for rich rewards, but chose to go on mission fields far away from their homeland. We see the humanity of Jesus displayed when He expressed his fear at the thought of the Cross, but was ready to give obedience to God and suffer much pain which would ultimately lead to triumph.  God spoke to Jesus in His hour of torment, just as He did at His baptism and when on the Mount of Transfiguration.  God is always ready to give strength, when we seek it.

At the Cross, Jesus underwent the judgment we deserve, and paid our debt to God.  His death gives us hope of everlasting life with Him one day. He wants to give you that hope in your life today. He alone can give you that new life that can never fade, and you can find that new life by meeting Jesus.

People in these high pressure days, are so often weary and depressed and looking for that spiritual something.  People are looking for something beyond themselves, looking for a way that gets the most out of life, yet carrying a load of guilt, fear and worry.  Jesus said, ‘come unto me all you are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest’

A day is coming when we will all see Jesus. The Bible says everyone will assemble before Him as He sits on the judgment throne. Some will go one way with the goats, some the other way with the sheep.  We will have either joy in the after-life with Jesus, or eternity with the lost. The criterion is how we respond whilst we are here on earth.  The bible says ‘now is the time of God’s favor, now is the time of salvation’.  It will be too late after we have died, and no amount of intercession will then save us. 

One of the most saddest things is this life, is the fact that there are thousands of children and young people especially, who have not the slightest knowledge of Jesus; who have only heard the name when their elders are using it as an expletive. Parents have not the inclination nor the knowledge themselves to tell their children.  Gone are the days when schools held assemblies, which contained a hymn perhaps, and a Bible story. However, I read that the school curriculum gives no place for religious education, even if there were enough teachers to teach the children. 

he same day there was a teacher replying to a parents who had complain about their children being at classes for sexual teaching.  When Church schools are at the front and include it in their classes, the hope of realistic action is revealed.  Without a basic religios foundation, children are being seriosly deprived.  This of course is not a setback for children of ethnic faiths, who are committed to their faith.

I had the joy of preaching recently at a small Methodist Church which had the same words inscribed on the pulpit. It is a call to the preacher that he must only preach Jesus Christ, and not engage in philosophy, politics, or be submissive to political correctness.

These words were the theme of the preacher when I was ordained at Chester Cathedral, one of the godliest men you could possibly meet.

In many evangelical churches in the United States, they have these words inscribed on the pulpit to remind the preacher, that people have come to hear about Jesus Christ.  There are in the United States, Churches which are a joy to visit, with sound expository preaching

 To see Jesus is to see God’s salvation.

To see Jesus is to see God’s Light and revelation.

To see Jesus is to see God and His way revealed.

May we ever be like the Greeks in our passage today, and want to see Jesus, and seek Him with all our hearts.

 

Thank God for giving us Jesus. May God be praised and Glorified

John  11 v 1-45

 

The New Testament, tells of Jesus having a personal relationship with a family in Bethany, and on occasions would visit them.  The family consisted of a brother named Lazarus and two sisters, Martha and Mary.  One day Lazarus had become sick, so his sisters sent a message to Jesus. When he heard this, Jesus decided he would visit him, saying the sickness would not lead to his death.  But Jesus decided to wait for two days then said they would go to Judea to see him.

When Jesus mentioned going to them, the disciples were concerned because on a previous occasion, the people there tried to stone Jesus. They said if Lazarus had fallen asleep he would wake up.   The words fallen asleep means died. Death is compared to sleep from which people will one day awaken.

Jesus said, there are twelve hours of daylight, and anyone who walks in those hours will not stumble for they see this world’s light. it is when people walk by night that they stumble for they have no light. This means Jesus is the light of the world, and to walk in the light that Jesus gives, is to walk in fellowship with him, believing and obeying his words. In contrast, those who walk in darkness means to walk against the words of Jesus, and have no spiritual life.

After he had said this, Jesus said our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, I am going to wake him up. The disciples were still not happy about going, saying he will get better.  Jesus then told them, Lazarus was dead and they were going so that they may believe.

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.  Bethany where the family lived, was less than two miles from Jerusalem so that many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.  When Martha hard Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

Martha said to Jesus, if you had been here my brother would not have died, but I know that even now God will give whatever you ask.  Jesus told her that her brother would rise again.

She replied, I know he will rise again in the resurrection, at the last day.

Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live even though they die, and whoever lives their lives by believing in me, will never die.

Jesus, once again deeply moved, told them to take away the stone.  Martha  warned, by this time there will be bad odor. They took away the stone, when Jesus said you will see the glory of God.

Jesus then thanked God for hearing him, for the people to benefit of knowing that God sent H  im.   Jesus then loudly called come out Lazarus, and he walked out.  Many of the Jews had gone to be with Mary who was  most upset and having seen what Jesus had done, went to tell the Pharisees.  A Council was called to determine what they should do to silence Jesus

We thanks to God for His Holy Gospel and praise the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 

.

 MOTHERING SUNDAY

  We have come to the fourth Sunday in Lent which is traditionally known as ‘Mothering Sunday’, the day we remember with love our mothers.  Those who have fond memories of our mothers, however many years have passed since we were in their arms; will not forget as we acknowledge the love for our mothers and all they meant to us. To bear a child is a costly and sometimes very painful act, calling for endurance sometimes beyond the mother herself.  Mothering Sunday calls on us to remember it is the giving of  herself.

We dedicate this service to them

This tradition originated in the 17th century when most of population would the attend Church, usually to the Church at which they had been baptized.  Often whole villages, would have processions to the Church with banners, the servants of large houses would be allowed time to attend. 

In the United States, President Woodrow Wilson passed an Act of Congress in May 1914, decreeing that the second Sunday in May should be known as ‘Mother’s Day,’ in order that love and reverence for mothers could be shown.   Retailers and non- Church members, in this country have adopted that title rather than the English understanding of the religious significance, which makes it special.  This day, also gives us the opportunity to remember Mary the MOTHER of Jesus, and think of how our Lord honored motherhood, even by showing concern for His mother when dying on the Cross.

The foundation for every home, is a father, mother, and children. In our time, the home and family are under sustained attack.  The breakdown of  family life is influenced and reflected in the breakdown of the nation’s morality.  It is now unrealistic to expect marriage to be for life but rather until we get fed up with each other.

We are now no longer be expected to use the term husband and wife, and another name for mother has been decreed by the diversity ideologues’.  Only a woman can bear a child, which makes the term

Birthparent an inane statement.

Since  the time of creation, women have treasured the name ‘MOTHER,’ and was so revered in Jewish people, that a woman who could not have a child was seen as looked down on.

 A MOTHER’S presence in the home is essential, and there has never been a more urgent time when good mothers are needed.  I have never known a Jewish child get involved in anti-social behavior or criminal activities, and that is due to the control the Jewish mama has over her family. 

God intended motherhood to be of the highest calling, yet government is advocating children can be brought up by two men, which is irresponsibility of the highest order.  An American psychologist ,stated a child will never come to full development psychologically without a MOTHER in the home.  In an older generation, a woman would not go to work when her children were in infancy, now we see even babies being left in nurseries with strangers to care for them.  I realise it is a different economic and social climate, but children’s development has not changed. 

When God created man, He then created woman to be a partner, the greatest gift He could give to men, and their nature was different so they could have children, and be respected. He made woman, and gave each different characters, equal but different, to fulfil different functions in life, and for women He gave a more caring nature in order to be mothers.   Abraham Lincoln once remarked, that no nation is greater than its mothers, for they are the makers of men.   

An article in a newspaper once said, that women were leaving Christianity for Islam because of the greater moral code.  Without denigrating the strict Islamic moral code, it is also a fact that no religion has greater respect for women than Christianity, and the Christian code is as moral as any, it is just Christians do not adopt it. 

The emancipation of women began with Christianity 2000 years ago, when Mary received a message from an angel and was told she would be the only woman ever to wear the red rose of maternity with the white rose of virginity, and be the mother of the Savior of the world.  When her Son grew up, He gave women a new place in human relations, with a dignity that wherever Christianity has gone, women have been there.

Female politicians, especially in  modern government,  have tried to turn this upside down, and in the false name of equality, have made some women to adopt the worst practices of men.  For 2000 years, women had in many respects been superior to men,  but in  the cause of equality and diversity have adopted the worst vices of men.  

The Bible calls on older women, who have an honored place in society, to play a major part in guiding younger women in the bringing up of children, from their years of experience.  We must have concern for women, bringing up children in a world where all moral values are being eroded.  Theirs is a big responsibility, especially when the nation’s broadcasting system gives out such foul talk ,and explicit scenes that cause weaker minds to think that is the natural way of life. We need women who will lead their families back, to more old style morality decency and purity.  Children are being brought up without any religious knowledge, knowing nothing about Jesus or Biblical characters, even in the homes of whatever class of home.  An idealism prevails as to how children should behave, but it is often a source of admiration and being in  modern phraseology ‘cool’ for a child to be sexually aware.  Schools play little part in educating children in religion, or conduct unless the school is a private one. I read the schedule does

 Not have enough place for teaching religion, but it has enough place

to teach gender change, without a mother’s consent.

Spiritual matters should be of concern to mothers.  Promises are made at baptism services, that children will be brought up in the fellowship of the Church, although few have ever any intention of honoring the promises made.  When my two sons were growing up, my then occupation required me to be away from the home for many long hours, and so much care fell upon my wife.  It is to her credit that they both entered the Christian ministry, after being youth leaders at their local Church.  Today they are successful Vicars at Churches of their own, where they have been a powerful influence in the Churches they have served.  I would encourage every mother to teach their children the stories of Jesus, and other stories from the Bible, it will give them a sure foundation for life.  To bear a child is a costly and sometimes very painful act, calling for endurance sometimes beyond the mother herself.  Mothering Sunday calls on us to remember it is the giving of herself. 

Mothers continue to care and worry for their children even when they reach adulthood.  We have numerous examples of godly mothers in the Bible, as an example for us to follow such as the mother of James and John who sought favor for them from Jesus, Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth Salome, and of course above all, Mary the mother of Jesus.

Women have been asked on radio and television what their occupation was , and have replied, ‘only a housewife and mother’.  There is nothing to justify the word ‘only’, such is one of the most honorable and worthy occupations.  Be sure to  call them MOTHERS..

But, do not let us forget there are mothers who are not appreciated and whose children  have made life difficult. I have seen mothers devoting their lives to their children, many without the fathers being present in the home, and without the love they deserve from their children.

We must also remember the many women who will not be mothers. For some, it will be a choice not to have children, for their own personal reasons, and we must not forget or criticise. We should on this most happy day for mothers, we must offer prayers  for those who cannot physically able to have children, and ask that God in His mercy and grace will answer their desires.

The Bible gives examples of women who displayed utter devotion to the children they bore, and who became such great names in Jewish history. For those who have not been told or who have forgotten, I give a brief story of three loving devoted MOTHERS

The MOTHER of Moses, is a wonderful and emotional story, that is still being told after thousands of years. There was a death sentence on all male Jewish children born, so His MOTHER had to hide him, then place him in  a basket and leave him in a stream, with the hope of someone not Jewish, who would find  and care for him. A princess did so, and took him to her home. The loving MOTHER acted as a Carer, and raised  him without the love of knowing who she really was.(Exodus 2.Hannah was a woman tormented, because she could not bear being unable to have a child, and thereby feeling disgraced. She prayed fervently to God, and was granted a son named Samuel.  The Lord Jesus dying in agony on the Cross, called for the Apostle John to look after and care for his MOTHER

I have referred to MOTHERS of the Bible who faced terrible situations in caring for their children. I would be pleased to think that mothers and children will read the full children stories of their problems in the Bible.

There will be sad women this week who have lost, their children. We should think and pray for them;. to lose a child is a devastating experience for both mother and father.

 

 May God bless all MOTHERS, and in His grace and mercy, help those women so longing to be mothers.

 

 

 

 John   4     v 1-45   

Jesus was travelling to Galilee and was taking the shortest route, which meant passing through Samaria. This way was usually not taken by Jews, as Jews and Samaritans were not fond of each other, meaning the Jews faced defilement if attacked.

Jesus and His Apostles stopped in the village of Sychar to rest as He was tired, which revealed the human side of Him. Some people in John's day were denying that Jesus was truly human. He only "seemed" to be human, they said. Others were denying that Jesus was "divine". John makes it clear that Jesus was truly man and divine- God come in the flesh. He grew tired; he wept; and he was thirsty, as we are.
The Apostles left Jesus to go and find food, so He sat near a well which Jacob had given to His son, known as Jacob’s well. Women would go in the morning and evening to draw water, but one immoral woman went at noon when it was really hot. She did so to avoid meeting other women. Jesus took the initiative and spoke to her, and asked her to get Him a drink of water. He ignored culture and tradition.

The woman was astonished at her, a Samaritan woman, at being asked by a Jew. Jesus told her if she knew who He was, He would have given her living water. The woman was puzzled as Jesus had no means of drawing or being given water. She would have had in mind living water as being spring fresh water, whereas Jesus was meaning the gift of the Holy Spirit, which would give eternal life.

The conversation went on to talk of her husband, and her stating that she had no husband. She was startled when Jesus pointed out the man she was living was not her husband, and she had had five husbands before. She was obviously worried about the sinful state Jesus reminded her of.

Jesus was indicating that people living together, was not marriage. A marriage requires some form of official sanction and public ceremony, in which man and woman commit to the obligation of marriage.  Sexual relationships outside marriage were then considered wrong  The mountain where they were was Mount Gerizim, a sacred place where Samaritans had built a Temple, but Jesus was saying neither there nor Jerusalem, which Samaritans despised, be necessary for worship as people could worship wherever they were.
But Jesus also stated the fact that the Jewish nation had a special place in God’s plan and salvation which was from Jews, for all of the Old Testament was from Jewish people, and Jesus Himself came from Jews.

The woman decided Jesus was a prophet, but referred to her people worshipping on the mountain, and not as Jews in Jerusalem. Jesus told her salvation came from the Jews, and in future worship will be true to God from wherever one is, and will be in spirit and truth.
God has a wonderful kind of existence that is not confined to one place, and having created the world, has dominion over all.

The woman said  she knew a Messiah was coming who was called Christ, so Jesus told her He was  that Messiah. 

The disciples returned and were shocked to see Jesus talking with the woman. for it was unheard of a woman speaking to a Rabbi. or to a Jew.   He, the Savior of the world, yet is prepared to speak with a woman of immoral character, who is also from a people at great enmity with Jews, something a Rabbi would never even consider thinking of doing. But, the woman went out and told people who she had met, and how well He had spoken to her, and many of the people turned to follow Jesus.

This story offers a lesson in evangelicalism as good as anywhere else in the Bible; the teacher is the Lord Himself. He and His Apostles had reached a part of their journey across the country at the hottest part of the day, and He was tired. Left alone whilst the Apostles sought food, He approached the Samaritan woman, a double act in offending tradition and culture, and seeks a favor.

This is often a wise approach, for a lot of people feel someone needs them, and are ready to make friends. This gives Jesus the opportunity of speaking further, in which He reveals who He is. The principal purpose of Jesus is to preach the gospel, that above all else, for that is what God sent Him to do.. You may never know how much good comes from telling an ordinary man, or more so a woman, about your faith and/or Church.

I met a lady, an ordinary wife and mother, and invited her to attend Church, which she did. She had I found, a captivating personality and soon other mothers came with children. Unfortunately her husband, who worked away from home on a North Sea oil rig found out she was attending Church, and gave an ultimatum, Church or him, so because of fear of losing her children we lost her. This was not in my experience an unusual case.

I cannot understand why it happens, as Muslim men are more intent on attending their places of worship than the women. It has to accepted, the |Muslim faith has a more moral base practised than we do.

The Church of today is more interested in getting non-believing parents to have their children baptized and confirmed. It was once suggested, parents who had children out of marriage, should bring them to Church to be baptized, when they got married at the same time. What a mindless suggestion.( I imagine the one who thought of that even got a promotion however). It is like offering a two for one.

Jesus did not prioritise baptism, he made it clear He was here to preach the gospel, and when the Church does the same, we may see the Church growing rather than falling apart as it is doing. Baptism does not need to be neglected, but in the mind of Jesus, preaching was more important and necessary.

Any person with even half a brain, knows you don’t pour clean water in a cup with dirty water in. But that is figuratively what the Church is doing now. Contrary to what Church leaders may think, the majority of people in the country do have moral beliefs, and it is offensive to them to hear leaders of the Church calling for traditional marriage to be abandoned, and they are not able to understand any purpose in coming; even clergy who still believe in Scripture are leaving, and brilliant men and women are amongst them.

We lose valuable opportunities in holding Summer and Christmas Fairs, in which we have a collection of stalls offering goods, but we don’t offer details of the Church services, We have Church magazines with details of what has been happening, which pleases members, but I cannot understand how or why we don’t include a bible teaching page, and urge people to attend. In other words, have an external outlook as well.

Politicians make sure we know how wonderful their Party is, and all it will do (mostly overstated) It must be successful or they wouldn’t bother.
Let it be taken from this reading, the lesson Jesus showed us, of speaking out for our Church and faith; may the leaders be moral like Jesus; and members make known the services are for all, who will be welcome.

 

        Thank God for His Holy Gospel,  Praise the Lord Jesus Christ.