"More Beautiful Feet" - reflecting on our church's ongoing journey of sharing good news (Isaiah 52:7 & Romans 10:12-15)

People need to hear the good news! That is why those who take this good news to others … are described as having … “beautiful feet”. The quote that Paul uses in verse 15 (of Romans chapter 10) comes originally from Isaiah 52:7, where we read: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation; who says to Zion ‘Your God reigns’.

The people of God in Israel, when Isaiah was active as a prophet, were often in difficult situations, and thus needing to hear some better news for times ahead. Often they had contributed to their own troubles. But, God never forgot them, never lost his interest in them, never fell out of love with them, always wanting what was best for them.

Isaiah probably modelled his concept of “beautiful feet”, on the messenger that was reporting the very good news about the release of the Israelite captives from the Babylonian exile. A messenger, of good news, like this, is usually on the move, looking for every opportunity possible to spread the very important information that they know to be true.

There is a joyous spring in their step! Even if those feet are tired, calloused and dirty, such feet are actually still “beautiful”, because they carry forth the sort of “good news” that can change lives. And, at the end of the day, as we read in John 13, Jesus himself will [personally] wash the weary feet of those he calls to bring the “good news” message.

People of all generations go through difficult times. Those that we do community with … go through difficult times. Often one challenge follows another. Sometimes the problems are largely self-inflicted. Yet, God loves everybody, and is available to see anyone through any crisis. That is why we need to keep the rumour of God alive.

More than this, we need to demonstrate what a Loving God we serve. This should always guide our lifestyle. Are we promoting, through the way we do life, that there is real hope … through a Loving Saving God? Sometimes, also, we are called upon to speak – to answer questions, or to share the story behind our faith – so that others can find the means of moving forward.

Through such positive witness to God, through explaining how good it is to follow Jesus, we can offer possibilities of life transforming forgiveness and peace. One of the reasons this news is called “good news”, is because often, very often, this will be NEW news. This will be news, previously unheard. This will be a message that, as they say, is ‘news’ to people (Dickson)!

The people who spoke to us last week from the Christian Motorcyclists Association clearly have been “beautiful feet” amongst an often antagonistic culture. Graeme, in his role as sports chaplain, along with many of us in our various community roles, walk with “beautiful feet”. Those here who are tradies, or run businesses, or serve in other ways, also sense their call to be “beautiful feet”. We should celebrate this, and build on this!

We have to concede that there are many, very many, right here, close to us, who have NOT heard – and who have NOT seen a credible witness to Jesus. They require messengers of “good news” – people with beautiful feet! Some people are just waiting to hear some “good news” like this!

It was reported recently that former Labor leader and Governor-General Bill Haydon, a well-known atheist, had come to faith and been baptised (into the Catholic church) at the age of 85. It is reported that his decision had been prompted by a gnawing pain in his heart and soul about what the meaning of life was, combined with having witnessed so many selfless acts of compassion by Christians over his lifetime. So, do WE have beautiful feet? Are we the messengers they need??

Back in Isaiah 52:7, the words that expressed there are, “Your God reigns”. NOT ‘Our God reigns’ – as if we were only talking to each other, but rather “Your God reigns” – speaking to everybody. God reigns over His Kingdom, where everyone is invited. God offers the best hospitality. God is waiting, hoping, reaching out, touching lives, bringing evidence of his creative love – “Your God reigns”. The exciting news that demands to be shouted from the rooftops, is that “Your God reigns”!

This is not in any oppressive or domineering way, but rather an acknowledgement that the Lord God’s love for all humankind can transform the circumstances of lives all around us. [Sharing the “good news” with others, also helps to cement our own faith.]

The opportunity to be “beautiful feet” … is an inspiring and challenging vision, because, as we embrace the possibilities of this, the well-being and future of whole communities and whole nations can be transformed. The broad acceptance of this “Gospel” of peace, has the capacity to heal brokenness, release people from bondage, restore relationships, change the nature of leadership, reduce violence and evil, and restore creation.

And, it is up to this generation of Jesus-followers, to invest a legacy of love into this world, for the benefit of tomorrow. We have recently celebrated the investments of faithful loving service that Nan Owen and Kevin Reed have given to this community. Can anyone think of any more important investment … than the investment of being such a messenger of “good news”?!? Do WE have beautiful feet? Amen!

"What Does it Mean to Serve?" (Galatians 5:13-15)

Freedom 

The freedom we receive through Christ’s work on the cross, and his resurrection, does NOT mean that we can live however we like. Quite the opposite. There is great purpose to be found in our freedom. We have freedom, because guilt, shame, and the baggage collected through an old life, has been removed. Living however we like … is actually what we are being saved FROM (NOT to)! Living in freedom is about living with purpose … uninhibited by the chains of sin and negativity. Living in freedom is also about being released from limitations … into the positive space of expressing the will of God. 

Freedom Expressed Through Slavery 

The process of experiencing grace and receiving salvation, actually, strange as it may seem, moves us from one form of slavery to another form of slavery. Yet – very different forms of slavery. We are leaving behind a self-centred slavery to sin … and taking up a selfless ‘slavery’ … toward the great ideal of community. The fact that Paul uses a word and a concept … like “slave” – that would normally be seen so negatively … is striking! This certainly gives plenty of depth to our understanding of the nature of spiritual service. That same word … “doulos – slave”, that same state of being, which is inescapably demanded of that person unjustly enslaved to another, is now used to describe a volunteer action (toward another person)!

We are left to conclude that service for God … is NOT so voluntary after all, but rather a normal and needed response to love, grace and spiritual freedom! In the novel ‘The Robe’, the Greek slave Demetrious has given such faithful and sacrificial service to his master Marcellus … that Demetrious is offered his freedom. Demetrious also had other opportunities of escape, and though tempted, refused to take them. When offered freedom from slavery by his master on this particular occasion, Demetrious refuses, because he has become so connected and committed to protecting the well-being of Marcellus, he cannot imagine leaving his post.

Because of the grace being unleashed in our lives, and the process of salvation we are on – we are NO longer ‘slaves to sin’ (which beings death), NOR ‘slaves to ritualistic law codes’ (which brings disappointment and defeat), but rather, we are … ‘slaves to each other’ (which can bring a deep sense of meaning and joy). And, in fact, this was where the ‘law’ actually pointed all the time. This was how God always intended us to live, before we were deceived into individualism, consumerism, and avoiding the central dynamic of the way in which God created the world – which is … relational community!

Through love, we become slaves to one another (verse 13b). The NIV more freely translates, “serve one another in love”. This statement was being directly put to the churches in Galatia in the first century, where there were various divisions, especially down racial and cultural lines. Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity were very different people: the Jews from a ‘law-based’ religion, where certain practices (around circumcision, food and the Sabbath) were heavily entrenched, while Gentiles were coming to know Jesus from a wide variety of backgrounds. Rather than fighting over small things, it was time to simply “serve one another in love”. For salvation through Jesus brings such a commonality, which should NOT be compromised by things that count for little.

Service 

There are many ways in which we can serve each other. Encouragement, teaching, practical support, prayer, use of spiritual gifts, etc, etc. Yet, our service to God, and to one another, does NOT stop there. This is the starting point for a practical expression of love that knows NO bounds! Wherever we look in the Bible, we see this repeating message. You know what I’m talking about!! It starts early in the Old Testament (e.g. Leviticus 19:18), it is echoed in the prophets, it is highly promoted by Jesus, and it is repeated by James and by Paul. What am I talking about?? “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (verse 14). This sums up everything that God wants to say. This is how we express our freedom, our salvation, and our discipleship!

Serving one another, the community, and the needs of the world … that is our calling. For Paul and Jesus to say that the “whole [Jewish] law [code]” is summed up in one commandment is actually staggering. For the “whole law” covered every phase of human life – such broad-ranging areas as food, clothing, housing, health practices, politics, economics, family and worship. The “whole law” was applied to everything that happened within the Jewish community from birth to death. And here … it is being summed up in just a few short words … “love your neighbour”! If we truly have this mindset, then we have certainly covered off the ‘big ten’!!

If we ignore this – wherever this is ignored – well, we see quite regularly where that leads. We look aghast at the violence, evil and tragedy in the world. People turn on each other because they want what others have, and don’t care what the damage caused feels like. We see this expressed in verse 15. We have often witnessed a loss of empathy, leading to callous disregard of others, especially those who are different. Sometimes these things touch us personally. What can we do? Throw our hands in the air? Build bigger prisons? Let resentment build? The simple answer is … to live in a different way … to express freedom in service … to live in the ‘Jesus loving your neighbour’ way … to be part of the solution! This is what Paul’s letter to the Galatians is all about – living out our freedom in a world-changing way.

Serving Through Sacrifice 

To serve, in the Jesus-way, means to embrace sacrifice. This means seeing beyond our own needs to the needs of others. We might be content with our comfortable status-quo, or even be seeking it, but following Jesus means breaking away from that, and seeing life a whole lot more broadly. Another’s pain … is my pain too! To serve … means letting go of our desire and need to be served, in preference for seeing our purpose in serving others. Jesus laid aside all his majesty and humbled himself to accept death on a cross (Philippians 2). Jesus, during his earthly ministry, said these words – “For the Son of man came NOT to be served, but to serve, and to give his life [as] a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

We will serve each other well, as we are prepared to listen, encourage, pray for, and practically support one another. We will serve our community well, if we observe, participate, listen, encourage and provide practical support wherever possible. We will also serve our community well, by living in a way that points to Jesus. Let us identify ways through which we can bless those in our networks of connection. What do our neighbours need? Let’s thank the traders and the tradies for their service. We can serve the people of the world well, by standing against any forms of injustice, racism and oppression … that demean humanity and God’s creation.

Service Through Hospitality 

We will also serve our community well, by being prepared to step out in faith, offer hospitality, and also offer invitations to come within God’s people – where they may just find ultimate enlightenment. Where the presence of the Holy Spirit of God resides, there is a witness to the strong possibility of neighbourly love. Andy Stanley wrote about his church, “If you’ve got questions about faith, the Bible, Jesus, maybe even the existence of God – you need to know [that] we built this place for you”. Not for us … for you! And, a serving mindset, does NOT judge nor ridicule, but rather welcome and offer hospitality … in grace and mercy.

If people, generally outside the church, hear and see that we have built a new worship centre – what might they make of that? That we are active, or that God is real!? Hopefully yes! But more importantly, it will be our credible serving that will lead to greater interest still! This may be a place where people do feel free to try a few small steps of faith. Brian Houston (rather prophetically) said, “I see a church that beckons ‘welcome home’ … to every man, woman and child that walks through the doors”. Yet, this can only be real, if God’s love for us, and our love for God, turns into a serious love for our neighbour … in terms of a serving lifestyle!

Conclusion 

“Through love become servants of one another”. This doesn’t mean that half serve and the other half receive! This DOES means that ALL serve, while at the same time, ALL receive service. My strength touches your weakness – your strength touches my weakness. This builds a community of mutual service. Sounds idealistic – well, at least it’s biblical; and thus very worthy of our best attempts. And we will find, as we reach out in service, we will increasingly have the power of the Holy Spirit … hovering around us, to help us, and make us effective in building real relational community. Amen!

"Overcoming Obstacles" (1 Peter 5:6-11)

Introduction

In life, many obstacles can cross our path. There are various setbacks, and difficult decisions to make. We can suffer trauma and illness, experience loss or loneliness or rejection, know great concern or even fear over certain matters, or feel heavily burdened. Troubles can emerge in our relationships. We can be debilitated by a sense of failure, or addicted to the need for human approval. There can be feelings of inferiority and other negative thought patterns. We can feel at the end of our ability to cope. We can be tested to the depths of our soul – our situation can seem dire. Indeed, at times, life can be complicated. We can also become enslaved by bitterness and unforgiveness. And, there are the big obstacles of guilt and shame.

In any of these circumstances, how will we overcome? If we already follow Jesus, how can we keep believing and trusting?? If we don’t yet know Jesus, how can we find him through the maze of obstacles before us??? This is what I want to pursue!

This may not be us at the moment … we might not be affected by too many obstacles – but it could be someone near to us. How can we help? It may not be so much what advice we can give, but more so – what positive coping mechanisms we can model.

Core Beliefs

Sometimes we forget the most foundational truths of life – God’s great love for us, and the mercy that God so much wants to share with us. These should be part of our ‘core beliefs’! Instead we believe such lies … as … ‘we will never be good enough’, or, ‘life will never work out for us’ – lies that are planted in our minds, whispered behind our backs, or said straight to our face.

If we start to take such lies on board, we can start to think wrongly; and such lies can take over our psyche, and change our behaviour and decision-making … towards even more negative outcomes. We may want to consider for ourselves questions like: What lies do I believe? What self-destructive behaviours do I engage in? What am I enslaved to?

‘Core beliefs’ are about what we hold to be true. How we feel about ourselves (and others), and how we interpret the events around us, come out of these ‘core beliefs’. Our ‘core beliefs’ provide the filter through which we think. Therefore, to be healthy, a good decision-maker, and have the capacity to overcome obstacles, we need to have the love and mercy of God set foremost in our mind. This then brings the great reassurance of being valued, and the hope of forgiveness, acceptance and change.

Let’s not doubt God’s love. Life brings circumstances that may tend to confuse us, but we should NOT linger too long … in places removed from embracing the basic truth of God’s love. Indeed, God pursues us through any restlessness, receives us still in our sinfulness, holds us close in our brokenness. We ARE His concern. Sometimes we may doubt God’s closeness or that He really cares for us; but it’s just that often there are lessons to be learned (for our long-term benefit), that require a process involving patience and adjustment.

History

When the people of God, stuck in Egypt, were groaning under the weight of their slavery, they cried out to God for help. Then we read, “God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them” (Exodus 2:24-5). We can be sure that we are never forgotten, and always in God’s view.

Yet the problems and challenges the ancient people of Israel faced, were never fully resolved without their participation in the solution, always involving obedience to the God that was continually loving them. They wandered in the desert, and such was the political situation in which they lived at times … they were taken into exile; yet they were never forgotten, and in the right time, were brought back into a good pasture.

The fact is … that we live in a fallen world, full of darkness caused by sin, where our physical bodies are susceptible to disease, and our very welfare is affected by how others choose to live within our connected social environment. And the Bible is a book full of people struggling with this reality. Yet, as one psalmist reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). But ... we need to allow God space to work in our lives! 

Text

In our reading from 1 Peter 5, we notice … that if we want to be fully ‘lifted up’ in life, where the word used here (in vs 6) is “exalted” – meaning gaining the best possible outcome, we need to trust God completely, like a little child does with a loving parent. Such humility before God, and active trust, is needed, because of the anxieties, dangers and suffering in life. There is also opposition against us.

[Part of “humbling” ourselves, is also to note that we, personally, are NOT the only ones struggling – that there are others who are equally seeking God’s attention. We are not the only one suffering. Even though the type and level of suffering differs from person to person, people are suffering all around the world every day, often with tragic outcomes.]

We also see that this trust we place in God, far from being ‘false hope’ … is so well-placed. God cares for us (v 7b). And, through and beyond the suffering we encounter, God will recreate and rebuild us (gloriously expressed in verse 10). May well we worship God (v 11)!

Yet we should also notice some further action required of us in verse 8 – i.e. applying discipline and staying alert. Life should NEVER be lived glibly, but rather in full knowledge that the next test is likely not far away. We should be good observers of what is happening around us. And we should apply faith to all situations we find ourselves in, so that we can understand where God is … in the particular situation at hand, and work out how we can grow and mature through this particular experience.

We do NOT want to retreat back to the way those without faith may react to setbacks, as if God is not there. So, we need to be able to bow to God’s wisdom – even through the twists and turns, and ups and downs, and through those periods where we think we have been put at some sort of disadvantage.

This leads to some practical suggestions regarding overcoming obstacles.

Ways to Overcome Obstacles

1. Receiving Grace

We need to accept the gift of forgiveness from the cross, where Jesus died to take away all the sin, guilt, shame and baggage … that had kept us separate from God. This is a simple act of release – giving up trying to make it by ourselves, be good enough, or to save ourselves. We lay this type of endeavour aside, and throw ourselves on the mercies of God – who doesn’t need to be convinced of anything – rather is just patiently waiting for our positive response to His glorious and free invitation.

Our salvation and our hope are NOT something we earned or created ourselves – these have come through God’s love and faithfulness to us. We therefore need to position ourselves completely and utterly “under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6). The process of being ‘lifted up’, that we then experience, as well as being thoroughly spiritual, will likely also be social, and may also be somewhat physical. We will surely be led into (new) avenues of service; and certainly move closer to God’s will for us.

2. Committing Wholly to Jesus

As we have said, there are many unjust situations – but we know that God is suffering with us, experiencing them at our side. God does NOT abandon us. This was proved by Jesus leaving heaven and coming to earth, and willingly encountering all the struggles here. Thus, Jesus is our greatest joy; he is always at our side, and will never let us down.

And, as we read in Hebrews, “Because [Jesus] himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested” (2:18). Jesus was intensively tested in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) by the devil – something that he may have been able to avoid, although in truly being human would naturally experience – especially as it could provide an encouraging example for us … of using the truth of God’s Word to defeat the negative voices.

What a promise there is for us (in vs 10) … that if we keep our head in the game, there is Jesus – who has suffered and understands suffering – who will ‘restore us, support us, strengthen us, and establish us’. We can be repaired! We can be ‘resettled’ to the best place. We will be able to be ‘good stewards’ of all God’s creation. This is what can happen … when ultimately living “under the mighty hand of God”! This is NOT about ‘try again’ or ‘try harder’, but rather about receiving the grace of God. God is always working toward our victory over our ‘demons’, as we follow Jesus wholly through life.

3. Utilising Available Resources

When we are dealing with stuff, we shouldn’t just look inside (where there are limited resources – some, but not all we need). Rather, we also look outward – toward the support, encouragement and resources of others, and upward – to all the capacities of God to help us.

We need to fully utilise the resource of prayer. We read in Hebrews chapter 4, “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:16). Grace and help is assuredly there when we most need it. Yet, we can conclude that this is among the easiest and hardest things to do. It demands a combination of human neediness … and personal confidence in Jesus. The words are honest, open, filled with questions; and they hold on, sometimes just barely, to Jesus, and what he has done. It can feel quite unnatural and difficult at first, but with the right amount of openness, the Spirit of God will give us words to speak.

We can also get into the good habit of thanking God in advance … for how He will help us work out any particular issue. Keeping a prayer journal brings a positive reminder that God is always active.

It could be that we have been unfairly criticised or bullied, and a certain vulnerability has been created, where we start to believe the ‘lie’ that we are less worthy than others – which can lead to a multitude of problems from over-performing to withdrawal, and attempts to inappropriately medicate pain away. However, we can find many Scriptures to remind us of how valuable we are to God, no matter what anybody else might say (e.g. Psalm 139:13-18 … where we read about the uniqueness of our creation, and also the parables of Luke 15).

Let us speak out loud … expressions of resolute trust … even in difficult circumstances. Let us share stories of how God has blessed us through our challenges. This will do us a lot of good – much more so than it does in simpler times! "Burdens are lifted at Calvary"! Let us worship and praise God with open heart and full voice. Let us sing louder! Let the words of the songs we sing … permeate our spirits, so that when the lean or challenging times come, we know well … the power and potential of the One we believe in.

4. Maintaining Our Sense of Purpose

The apostle Paul, in attempting to engage with the mission of God across Asia and Europe, and plant churches far and wide, suffered extreme hardships: including, a debilitating physical ailment, opposition from friends and foes, beatings, imprisonment and shipwreck. Yet Paul kept going, staying on mission, chasing down how God was leading him, and embracing how God was growing him (toward maturity). In so doing, Paul learned (as well as taught), that God’s grace was sufficient for him, and that nothing (at all) could separate him from the love of God.

We all have a mission placed upon us that connects with the great commission of making disciples. We all have been called into a ‘body’ where we embrace that mission together, and express the particular gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the common good. Within this, and through our particular uniqueness, we also have certain purposes to live out. These may vary in different seasons – sometimes there are relationships we need to concentrate upon and build (or possibly repair), and at other times be involved in major projects.

We should note that in the pursuit of any God-given purpose, we will be given the necessary strength and skill through which to succeed. This doesn’t mean that it will always be easy – often there is a struggle involved. But it is creative struggling that produces growth! If struggle was removed, there would be no process that leads to maturity. As Dan Reiland writes, “The process toward spiritual maturity … requires that I face and handle real life tensions … that don’t have easy solutions”.

The huge mission that God had entrusted to Paul [spoken about before], actually gave him hope – there was here something to really live for, despite the difficulties he was encountering. Amid the suffering and conflicts, this sense of ministry purpose enabled Paul to persevere … and persevere hopefully (Cameron Cole). So challenges in life should NOT separate us from a serving ministry, but rather help us grow into doing such ministry in a better more relevant way.

So even when we don’t understand (fully) what God is up to and why (why … we’re having to go through the valley we’re in), we should continue to serve Him and others, and do what we (very well) know needs doing as we wait (for that understanding). Yep … that’s harder to do than say, yet it still aids our process of overcoming obstacles and growing to maturity!

5. Seeking & Accepting Support

Another good thing about God’s grace is that it leads us into a new community – a community of Kingdom living – the church of Jesus. Here we get to receive and give support. We should NOT try to go it alone. Trying to go it alone weakens the ‘body’, while giving and receiving support strengthens the whole ‘body’ – the strengthening of one aids the strengthening of all (in the face of every challenge and against any enemy). If we all are strengthened to the full extent of God’s capacity to do so, together we could be invincible!

When people trust each other and share experiences, difficulties and struggles, they each discover that they are NOT alone. More importantly, they discover that they don’t need to be! The struggles of those we love … will evoke our compassion. We will grieve with those who grieve, we weep we those who weep, we rejoice with those who rejoice; we will move closer to them, and they will move closer to us.

In Conclusion, for now ...

We should guard against seeing God as the One through which we can escape difficulties and challenges. If we thought this way, we would be easily disappointed with God. We know that we should NOT rebel against our trials. But we should also come to NOT resent our struggles, but rather to see the good places these may lead. As James 1:4 puts it, “… let endurance have its full effect … so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing”.

Also, it is in persevering, that we prove our faith. “What is called for [to overcome in life] is NO superficial or sentimental faith, but [rather] a faith that is strong and immovable like a great rock” (C E B Cranfield). And, even in the worst situations that come along, and they do come along - God waits for us, God wants to embrace us, God expects our call. Amen!