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The fourth Sunday of Advent

18/12/2016

ARCH BISHOP Phillip’s Christmas message 2016

"Think big, embrace Christ’s
inclusive vision"

   A much-loved Christmas hymn proclaims: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king.” In these words, which reflect the Bible’s revelation, God tells us whom he loves: everyone.
It is, as the angel tells the shepherds, news that should bring great joy to all.
That Christmas message of God’s love and generosity stands in stark contrast to one of the great problems of human nature, our tendency to tribalism. As humans, we easily identify with our in-group, whether defined by nation, race, religion or some other source of identity. This is a problem because it excludes others; all those who do not belong to our in-group. We see this in the so-called identity politics that seem to have swept up so many people in recent years.
But God does not make distinctions based on ethnicity or citizenship. He is the Creator of all. And Jesus made the consequences of that explicit in the parable of the Good Samaritan and other teachings. In doing so, he was confronting some of the prejudices of his society, and most other societies.
That refusal to think small, of course, must be the model for those of us who follow Jesus. We seek to emulate, as far as possible, his example.
Today in Australia, as in much of the world, people are looking to simplify the factors that make up who they are. Sadly, all too often, this is done by defining themselves in contrast to other people who may then be rejected as outsiders. The gospel call that Jesus ushers in at Christmas is to reject that small, stunted identity, and to expand it to something larger, something more generous, something more loving. We love because we have received love. We love because God first loved us.
That infant, helpless in the manger on the first Christmas morning, shows the depth and the breadth of God’s love. He lives the life that reveals God’s nature to us and dies the death that provides our redemption and salvation.
God’s love in the Christ child is for “all people". The Christmas story challenges us to adopt that bigger vision, having God’s heart, and showing his love to others, whether part of our “in-group” or not.
The Incarnation, where God takes on human flesh in the person of Jesus, is the living, beating heart of our faith. It is also the heart of this bigger, inclusive, loving identity that God has given to us. God’s action at Christmas was to awaken this truth within us through the birth of his Son.

           Have a blessed and holy Christmas.    + Phillip Freier

The third Sunday of Advent

11/12/2016

TELL OUT MY SOUL!

‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’  MATTHEW 11:3
Sitting in his prison cell I suspect John the Baptist can be forgiven if he is having a little bit of a faith crisis. Are you really the Messiah or have I been mistaken all this time? Jesus answers his disciples, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me. MATTHEW 11:4-6
   In response to John’s doubt Jesus directs him to God’s glory and to the word of God. If you too have been asked if Jesus is the one, the best way to answer is just the same. Answer by proclaiming the glories of God and all that he is doing in your life.
   The unexpectedly expecting Mary gives us a good example of how it is done.
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’

Till next time…..Andrew

The Second Sunday of Advent

4/12/2016

In our Gospel reading for this week John the Baptist begins his ministry of “Preparing the way of the Lord” by issuing the people with a call to repentance. and Godly living.

   ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Matthew 3:2

His call has a sense of urgency because in Jesus the Kingdom of heaven has come near. The Book of Common Prayer collect for the Second Sunday in Advent reminds us of gift of scripture in helping us to live this life of repentance. To repent literally means to turn back to God and knowing the Bible is vital our living the life of faith.

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The collect challenges us not only to read, mark and learn scripture but to inwardly digest it. To digest something is to allow it to be absorbed into our bodies, to nourish us, to become a part of us and to strengthen us. So, if you haven't already ,why not make prayerfully reading your Bible a part of your daily routine and let yourself be enriched by God’s living word.

Till next time…..Andrew

Advent Sunday

27/11/2016

As we begin our Advent reflections the prophet Isaiah gives us the most awesome prayer in our reading from Isaiah 5;

Many peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
    and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
    and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
    neither shall they learn war any more.

Why not make this your Advent prayer as we prepare to celebrate the God’s gift to us of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and look forward to his coming again in glory when all things shall be made new.

Till next time…..Andrew

PARADISE

20/11/2016

If ever there was an example of effective prayer it would have to be the prayer of the thief on the cross in Luke 23:42-43. ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’  Immediately Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ This is a prayer of true repentance, in which the thief knowing it is to late to change the way he has lived his life, finds life in the one who is about to willingly give up his life to win eternity for all who will trust in his saving love.

    Next Sunday is Advent Sunday, the beginning of a new church year, and traditionally a season of penitence where Christians examine their hearts in preparation to celebrate Jesus birth, the coming of the Prince of Peace. How will you use the season to prepare your heart. What ever you decide to do, remember that Jesus words to a dying crook all those years ago apply just as much to you and me. Word’s of life, words of love and words of freedom. When like the thief on the cross all those years ago we turn our hearts to Jesus he looks on us with love and promises. “Today you will be with me in paradise!”

Till next time…..Andrew

New opportunities

13/11/2016

This week’s Gospel reading is not for the faint hearted. As the disciples admire the beauty of the Jerusalem temple, Jesus issues the believers with a grim warning about the distractions of this world and of their need to stand firm in their faith.

Alongside the many who will try to lead them astray in Jesus name and the rumours of wars and terrible tragedies is the reality that before the end comes, the disciples can expect to be hated, persecuted and betrayed even by those they love.
Hardly words that reassure or inspire confidence are they? Rather than being overcome by fear though, Jesus urges the disciples to see the difficult times ahead as an opportunity to bear witness to God.

“This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.” Luke 21:13 –15.

In the face of such terrible circumstances, Jesus encourages the disciples to stand firm in the certainty that God will give them everything they need to remain faithful.

You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls. Luke 21:17-19.

The promise remains the same today. So the next time you find yourself feeling abused because of your faith remember to ask God to help your trials become an opportunity to reveal his love.

Till next time…..Andrew

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Good Advice

6/11/2016

As always, Jesus words in our Gospel from Luke this week, run counter to the ways of the world but for those who would hear them they are words of life. Want to know how to live as a saint? Then follow the advice Jesus gives in Luke 6:20-31 because these are words that have the power to turn the world upside down.

“Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy,
because great is your reward in heaven.”   Luke 6:22-23

   More and more it seems as though the world is tightening the thumb screws on those who would choose to follow Jesus which is why it is even more important that we prove the world wrong by following Jesus’ advice.

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.  Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6: 27-31

As his body here on earth, Jesus calls us to prayerfully and faithfully live out these words, empowered by his Holy Spirit. When we do he is truly glorified and the values of heaven are made real here on earth.

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
From the hymn, For all the saints. William Walsham How 1823-1897

SEEKING THE LOST

30/10/2016

Last week in Luke 18, Jesus told us that it easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This week Jesus tell us a story of a rich man being saved.   Jesus is in Jericho and the crowds are massive as everyone wants to see what Jesus will do next.
    Perched in the branches of a sycamore tree a wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus, is craning his neck to get a better look at Jesus, when Jesus surprises him by calling him out of the tree and inviting himself over to stay. Zacchaeus responds with joy, and in that one moment his life is changed. The crowds can only grumble because instead of the required spectacle Jesus has chosen to hang out with the worst sinner in town. The Son of Man hasn’t come to entertain the crowds, rather he has come to seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10
    In response to Jesus unconditional love, Zacchaeus is able to do what the rich young ruler last week found so hard. Zacchaeus gives up his wealth, paying back four times what he has cheated others out of, and giving money to the poor.
    Just like Zacchaeus , Jesus longs to be a part of our lives also. No matter how unworthy we, or others may judge us, Jesus wants to be a part of our lives. No matter how hard we might try to hide, or unlikely it may seem Jesus wants to come into our homes and our lives as well. Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus in with joy and his life was changed. How will you respond? What sort of welcome will you give him?

Till next time. Andrew

FAITH LIKE A CHILD

23/10/2016

Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ Luke 18:17

Jesus calls us to trust him with the faith of a child. He couldn't really have stated it any more plainly than he does in our Gospel reading for today. Sadly though, as we are so often prone to doing, one of the adults has to go and try to make belonging to the kingdom of God harder than it needs to be.
“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 18:18 asks a wealthy, self made young man. Jesus could have pointed out that he has just stated it clearly in the previous verses. Instead he asks the young man to remember the commandments. Relieved, our rich young friend is able to boast that he has been good at keeping these all his life. To his dismay, Jesus points out that he still lacks one thing. “Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22. What Jesus is asking of his rich young friend is that he should put into practice what he has already stated in verse 17, that is to trust him with the accepting and uncomplicated faith of a child.
Just like the rich young ruler, all too often, we too make the mistake of making the gift of eternal life something that we have to earn. Perhaps it’s because deep down we all really believe that there is no such thing as a free lunch. The good news is that although not much may be free, eternal life is. Jesus has paid the price that we might freely receive it. All that is required of us is that we believe, and with the faith of a child put our trust in Jesus. It really is that simple, otherwise Jesus wouldn’t have said so.

Till next time. Andrew

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Faith

1/10/2016

In our Gospel reading this week the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus replies, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.“ Luke 17:5-6

The disciples think they need more. Jesus answer is that they have enough! On its own nothing will happen to the mustard seed unless it is planted and watered under in the ground. Only then can it grow and develop and reach it’s full potential. So it is with the gift of faith. It is never enough just to have faith we have to be willing to use it. Jesus wants us to know that using our faith is the key, otherwise it will never develop in our lives to its full potential.

We use our faith every time we entrust our selves to Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Whenever we seek him out in prayer or through reading God’s word we are putting our faith into action.

So if more faith is what your heart desires, the answer is easy. Use the faith you have, and when you do, God who is faithful, will not let you down.

Till next time. Andrew

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The fourth Sunday of Advent

ARCH BISHOP Phillip’s Christmas message 2016

"Think big, embrace Christ’s
inclusive vision"

The third Sunday of Advent

TELL OUT MY SOUL!

The Second Sunday of Advent

Advent Sunday

PARADISE

New opportunities

Good Advice

SEEKING THE LOST

FAITH LIKE A CHILD

Faith

Rev. Andrew Smith

Archives

ARCH BISHOP Phillip’s Christmas message 2016

"Think big, embrace Christ’s inclusive vision"

TELL OUT MY SOUL!

Rev. Andrew Smith

Archives

"Think big, embrace Christ’s
inclusive vision"