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What happens when the "great Australian dream" turns into a nightmare? This sermon tackles the age-old question of suffering, not from a philosophical standpoint, but through the raw and practical lens of the Book of Job. Join us as speaker Andy Prideaux unpacks the opening chapters of Job, exploring how a man who was "blameless and upright" faced unimaginable loss. Discover the heavenly drama behind Job's trials and Satan's cynical challenge: "Does Job fear God for nothing?". Learn from Job's profound initial responses of worship amidst devastation and his unwavering integrity even when urged to "curse God and die". This message encourages us to consider how we respond to suffering and reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we can move towards God, who is in control and working for our ultimate good. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Transcription Bible Reading: Job 1:1 - 2:10 Bible reading today comes from Job chapter one, verse one through to chapter two, verse ten. In the land of us there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright. He feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of fasting or feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning, he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them. Thinking perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. This was Job's regular custom. One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, where have you come from? Satan answered. Satan answered the Lord from roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it. Then the Lord said to Satan, have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him. He is blameless and upright. A man who fears God and shuns evil. Does Job fear God for nothing? Satan replied, have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face. The Lord said to Satan, very well then, everything he has is in your power. But on the man himself do not lay a finger. Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. One day, when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabines attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you. While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, the fire of God fell from heaven, and burnt up the sheep and the servants. And I am the only one who has escaped to tell you. While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said that the Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels, and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you. While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them, and they are dead. And I am the only one who has escaped to tell you. At this Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said, naked, I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised. In all this Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. On another day, the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the Lord said to Satan, where have you come from? Satan answered the Lord from roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it. Then the Lord said to Satan, have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him. He is blameless and upright. A man who fears God and shuns evil, and he still maintains his integrity. Though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason. Skin for skin. Satan replied, A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face. The Lord said to Satan, very well, then, he is in your hands, but you must spare his life. So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die. He replied, you're talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God and not trouble? In all this Job did not sin in what he said. This is the word of the Lord. Introduction to the Sermon and the Book of Job If someone else is going to do the clicking. If I did it, we'd end up. I'd be putting the news on or something. It'd be. It'd be very awkward. my name is Andy Prideaux. And thank you for your invitation. Or at least for Megan's invitation to come and begin the series that you're going to be doing on the Book of Job. This really challenging, confronting, but I think ultimately encouraging and helpful book in the Old Testament. it's so wonderful to be able to share with you today. I'm really encouraged seeing the reading up in three different languages. I work with international students at Melbourne Uni, with the Christian Union, and, I they would be if they were here now, they'd be very excited to see their language, up on the screen as, as the scriptures are read. I went to a wedding recently. One of the women in our team, a Chinese woman, I said, oh, will there be any translation in the service? And she said, yes, it will be translated from Mandarin into Cantonese, which neither of which helped me. But the English was up on the screen. But it was a good reminder that that's what it feels like for a lot of the students coming along. You know, I got to feel what it's like for my language not to be the main one. I think that was a really good thing. but I'm always encouraged because God is bringing people from every tribe, language and nation into his family. And, just it's like a small reminder of that, I think, which is great. one of the reasons, or maybe the reason that Megan invited me to come and speak is because I recently had a commentary published on The Book of Job. It's my latest book. It's my only book, actually. and I'll be coming back at the end of the series to do a QA on Job after you've heard Megan and other people teaching. and I'll bring some books there to sell. So hopefully you'll have so many questions. You want to buy a copy? If on the off chance you have to be a salesman, if on the off chance you want to buy one today, I can give you one for the special discounted price of $25. They're usually $30. So yeah, what can you do? anyway, I won't be offended if you don't buy today because it's early days. But just put a little planting the seed, planting the seed. but more importantly, let's actually come to God's word, to Job and the opening section of this book. I'll pray as we do that. Father God, we thank you for your amazing love for us in Jesus that we've already been reminded of today, in our prayers and in the reading and in the songs, in everything that's happened. I thank you, Lord God, that the Lord Jesus has been glorified, that he has been lifted up. Father, as we grapple with your Word today in a very challenging part of your word, help us to learn more of your all sufficient love for us so that when we struggle and when people around us struggle, we keep going. We keep looking to to you, holding on to you, knowing that you are the one who holds on to us. And we ask it in Jesus name. Amen. The Great Australian Dream vs. Life's Realities Well in the not so recent federal elections, not the other election. the made both of the major parties promised to deliver us from our worst nightmares, didn't they? And deliver the great Australian dream. What is what is at the heart of the great Australian dream? Home ownership. But I wonder what is. What is living the dream look like in our lucky country? Maybe we could take a, like a progressive sort of look at that. Maybe it starts with the right birth plan, then the right preschool or kinder, then the the right school, then the right course after school, then the right job, then you find the right spouse, and then you get the right car and you get the home, and then you get the better car, that new car smell. Maybe you even get to enjoy that. You experience overseas travel. You improve your health. Like me. You get to middle age. You realize you haven't done any exercise in the last 20 years. Maybe I should have a look at that. Then you get the better car, then you get the super. Then you got to improve the health again. Then you get the final car. Maybe then you get the retirement, then maybe some more travel, then protect the health. Then you get the right burial plot. That last one, I believe it or not, I was reminded of almost every day when I came into Melbourne Uni because you got on College Crescent, as it's called, you got all the residential colleges and then literally on the other side you've got the Melbourne Cemetery and there was this big fancy sign at one stage up near the sort of gatehouse of the cemetery. what did it say? It said premium spaces available. Reserve your spot now. That's what it said. I kid you not. It was like my FOMO was being fed even as I thought about my own mortality. Now there's nothing inherently wrong, I think, with the great Australian Dream as I've described it there. We actually need education. Having good health is a good thing. Holidays refresh us. Most of us are going to need a car. All of us are going to need somewhere to live. And if we live long enough, yes, we're going to need some kind of plan for retirement. Of course. And as Christians, we actually have something good to say about these things we can say, because it's true that we receive all of them with thanksgiving from God. They all come from the hand of God. We can receive them with an open hand, rather than sort of just clutching them to ourselves and to our families. We can receive them with thanksgiving rather than turning them into helpless little idols like our lifestyle TV shows do. We can worship God with the whole of our life and in every stage of our life. When Plans Are Interrupted: The Question of Suffering But as God's children. What will we do when some of those plans, or maybe even all of those plans, are interrupted in some way? No one plans for suffering in their five year outlook. Maybe we do in terms of insurance, but I certainly did it when I had a very difficult year in terms of mental illness. I didn't sort of say, well, I'm going to work for a couple of years, then I'll have some holidays, and then in about six months I'll have a mental health crisis and spend some time in hospital. I did sort of plan for that to happen. What do we do when God doesn't give us the gifts that I choose, or the gifts that other people around me seem to be enjoying? What about when God chooses to bring other things into our life? Maybe an old car to drive. Maybe a place to rent instead of to own. Maybe a different job to my dream job. Maybe singleness, maybe childlessness, maybe a broken marriage, maybe chronic illness. The philosopher asks if there is a good God and an all powerful God. Why is there suffering in the world? That's the question of theodicy, and it's a good question to ponder. But the question the book of Job asks is actually a practical one. The question the Book of Job asks is, what will I do when I suffer? And how will I respond to the suffering of other people around me? The short answer to that question is that we will either move towards God or away from him. Job's Story: An Unfolding Narrative of Pain and Faith Now, Job was a man who suffered greatly throughout his life. That's probably a little bit of an understatement. And in the prologue, that is the opening two chapters that have just been read. We see him at the beginning of his pain, I guess, and as the narrative, as the story unfolds, Job's words are going to get more and more emotional. They're going to get more and more passionate, more and more confused, more and more raw. Sometimes you're going to wonder, why on earth did God choose to preserve these words? In the Bible, there should be like a Netflix censorship label sort of warning you for what's what you're about to read. But all of these words, these words of lament are words of faith. They're words of hope in God. They're prayers, actually, that God does answer in Job's lifetime, but ultimately he answers them, like with the lament Psalms, if you like in The Suffering Servant, when the Lord Jesus comes into the world. Job is a poetry sandwich. So the meat in the middle. Most of the book is written in a poetic style. Takes a while to get used to that. You sort of got to go with the flow of it. But like reading the Psalms and the bread on either side is written in prose, which just means normal sentence style narrative kind of a thing. So the prologue that we've just heard and which sets up the story and the epilogue which brings it to a close, is written in prose, and the prologue unfolds in five scenes. And we're going to be looking at the first four of those, because the fifth one is a bit like a hinge into the rest of the book. Scene 1: Job Living the Dream And the first scene, I think. Yes. Megan's on the clicker. Thank you. The first scene is we see Job living the dream. and it makes, I think, the great Australian dream look a bit pale compared to Job's life at this point. Interestingly, this guy is a Gentile. He wasn't a member of Israel, and yet he lives a life that is spiritually described here as blameless and upright. He fears God. He shuns evil. That is, his life was consistent in the way that he loved God and loved his neighbor. Maybe we'd we'd sort of describe it in that way. He was a complete man. He was like the whole package. And he lived a complete life. So the number ten or or or multiples of ten keep coming up. That's the number of wholeness. He had ten children, which it was good to have lots of children back then. Ten children. Thumbs up. He had tens of thousands of livestock. He had a great reputation that seemed to be earned when when people looked at him, they said, here is the greatest man in all the East. Great in wisdom, great in faith, great in wealth, great in life. He was concerned for the spiritual health of his family. He offered sacrifices on their behalf. Like like the patriarchs of old. A kind of a priestly thing. He was. He was concerned not just for appearances being religious, but they might have sinned in their hearts. We need to talk to God about this. He lived consistently. Everyone who looked at him would say he is the blessed person. And and we. We read later on, if you read chapter 29 of Job, it fills out the picture that we just get a glimpse of in the first five verses. So if you want to flesh it out a bit over lunch today, you could read chapter 29. And, it was clear that, yeah, everyone sought out his counsel. they they saw him as a wise man, a compassionate man, a godly man who looked after those people who were in need. But how would these same people, how would his friends view him when all these outward blessings were taken away? Will they stick with him? Will they sit with him? Will they pray for him? Will they care for him? Now this picture, this ideal picture is really important for reading the rest of the book, because you're going to hear in the chapters that follow the his friends who come to comfort him. At first, they're like that song you say at best when you say nothing at all. As soon as they open their mouths, it all goes downhill and they're going to see his suffering as evidence of God's judgment. He must have done something wrong. Nobody suffers that much. If they're a good person, he must have sinned. He suffers because he sins. And then they're going to say. And when he complains he's singing his speech, he's still sinning in the way that he speaks to us about God. But that's not true. The narrator says, the Lord says, we'll hear it again. No, he suffers because he is good, because he is righteous. At the end of the book. In chapter 42, the Lord will say his words, unlike the friends, were words of faith. Even his laments, even his angry outbursts, had faith running through them. Back to the prologue. Scene 2: The Lord's Boast and Satan's Lies We're into season two now. The Lord's boast and Satan's lies. Have a look. Let's have a look at verse six. One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, where have you come from? Satan answered, sorry. Satan answered the Lord from roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it. Now we need to remember. And I mean, this is going to become very clear as the book unfolds and certainly in the last few chapters, but it comes up again and again that God is a creator and sustainer of all that is, he is the sovereign ruler, the King over all that he is. And what we discover here is that that includes even the unseen spiritual realm, the realm of angels and demons. Nothing happens that is outside God's direction and control, and that includes even the actions of Satan. So you have this throne room scene. The angels report to him. Satan also comes into their midst. God asks Satan, what have you been doing? And he gives an evasive answer, going to and fro throughout the earth. More accurately, what he's been doing is what we hear in one Peter five and verse eight, your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Satan is prowling around and Job is on the menu on this occasion. And the Lord does something that seems strange at first. In verse eight, he draws Satan's attention to Job. The Lord instigates the action of this chapter. He said to Satan, have you considered my servant Job? There's no one on earth like him. He is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. There's that description again. But then Satan replies, Does Jo fear God for nothing? Haven't you put a hedge around him in his household? Everything he has. You've blessed the work of his hands so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face. It's important to see here the Lord's initiative and the Lord's ultimate control. He brings up the question of Job. Whatever will happen to Job, whatever Satan thinks that he can achieve. It's caught up into God's larger plan, and it has to do with something to do with God proving the reality of Job's faith. The devil cannot escape God's sovereign will. And I want you to hear how much the Lord loves Job. He's. He's gushing over Job. There's no one like him in all the earth, he says. Which is what God does with his people before heavenly beings. Before the universe, if you like. The Lord boasts of his people. He celebrates his church. He writes their names in his book of life. So that so that anyone in the universe can can see it. When one sinner repents. Jesus says he throws a heavenly party. And Zephaniah tells us that God sings over his people. It's extraordinary. We've been singing to God this morning. Listen to Zephaniah 317. The Lord your God will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you by his love. He will exalt over you with loud singing. That's extraordinary. The kind of love that God has for his people. We need to remember that whatever happens to Job and whatever happens to us, we are actually in the palm of God's hand. Suffering will happen, but it will not be the last word. But of course, Satan is the ultimate cynic. He sees through it all. God, you're deluded. And Job. He's a phony. He's only in it for the money. Come on. He's only in it for the health, the wealth, the blessing. Take all that away. He'll spit in your face. He'll curse you. See, Satan's not only confronting Job at this point, he's confronting God. He's calling into question the possibility that God and a human being could actually have a relationship like this. Satan's deluded, though, isn't he? We know that he's defeated. God will vindicate himself. And his servant and their relationship before these lies. But a key question in Satan's challenge is raised in verse nine of chapter one. Does Job fear God for nothing? Well, the law will allow Job's many blessings to be taken away so that nothing is left. Because he's confident that what will be left is his faith in God by God. Let me say it again will remain entirely in control. Satan only acts with God's permission. Verse 12, the Lord said to Satan, very well, then, everything he has is in your power. But on the man himself do not lay a finger. Scene 3: Job's Life Interrupted Scene three Job's life interrupted. Well, we've heard of. We've seen Job live in the dream. But now we see Job's life painfully, I guess. Dismantled. Pulled apart piece by piece. Each of the material blessings he enjoyed are taken away from him. These foreign invaders have come in and decimated his property, his livestock, everything that he owns. There's a sole survivor left after each disaster, but it's almost like they're only spared so that they can bring more bad news until the worst news of all. Verse 18, when he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine in the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them, and they are dead. And I am the only one who has escaped to tell you. Job woke up that morning, as he always did. To pray to offer sacrifices on behalf of his children. Completely unaware of the tragedy awaiting him and his wife. By the end of that same day, their seven sons and three daughters were dead. I think it's easy to get used to stories and descriptions in the Bible, so we get used to knowing them really well. Like when people encounter Jesus and their lives are changed around. We're so used to, you know, we don't sort of think about what it would mean to be blind from birth and then be healed. Like, yeah, Jesus healed the blind man. Okay, what's the next thing? Kind of a thing? I think it's the same thing with the weight of what's going on here. And it came back to me at least about a week ago. I was watching the news and more bad news from Gaza. There was a family, a husband and wife, both doctors, ten children, just like Joe and his wife. The wife was working at the hospital at the time. A bomb struck the building where the family was. The building came down and nine of the ten children died, and the husband and the remaining child were in a critical condition. Bodies were taken to the hospital, and it was the mother who was one of the first people attending. Who. These are my. These are my kids. What do you do? What can you do? How do you make sense of it? How do you respond? We need to remember. The Job knows nothing of the conversation. And the heavenly throne room. Stuff's happening on Earth that's affected by what happens in heaven. But he doesn't get to overhear that. And we don't get to overhear those conversations either, do we? We have more information than Joe because Jesus has come into the world. But still we don't. We're not privy to. We don't sort of have God explaining, okay, now all these things are happening, but don't worry, because tomorrow it doesn't work like that. And it didn't work like that for Joe. All he knows is that one day everything was going well, the next day. It's like everything's turned upside down. How do you respond? Well, how did Job respond? Well, the rest of the book will continue to unpack that response, but this is the initial response in verse 20. He got up, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground in worship, and said, naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised, literally blessed. In all, this Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. What does he do? He mourns. Of course he mourns. He tears his robe. He shaves his head. He falls to the ground. And he worships God by acknowledging the reality of who God is and what his life is. No one chooses to be born. Not one person in this room chose to be born. Life is a gift given by God, and God chooses when our life will end, which seems obvious. But in practice, I think even as believers, we sometimes act as if we make ourselves that we answer to ourselves, that we're in control. You know, if I get this situation sorted out and avoid that person and have this experience and adopt this exercise regime, then things, everything should work out. We're in denial of our fragility, our utter dependence upon God, and we're shocked when death interrupts. He'd only just retired. He was going to travel the world. But Job is right. His words are words of faith. Whoever we think we are, whatever we have achieved, whatever others think of us. The truest thing about us is that all that we are and all that we have, and all that we will be, lies in the hands of our maker. It's a famous verse, isn't it? We bring nothing into the world. You take nothing with you naked little screaming, fragile, wrinkly little babies coming into the world, dusty, frail, naked human beings going out of the world. We are really like little babies screaming out into the darkness of the universe in the hands of our maker, who is free. But as the rest of this book will show ultimately, and the rest of the Bible will show is also good, and we owe him our complete worship the Lord gave. The Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised. Scene 4: Suffering Intensifies - "Skin for Skin" Well, the optimists amongst us, I'm afraid to say I'm a pessimist a lot of the time, but the optimists amongst us might be saying, well, as long as you've got your health, dear, that's the main thing. Well, suffering came down on Job's wealth, even his children. But now it hits his health. It hits his body, it hits his mind. Opening verses of chapter two. It's familiar territory. The heavenly court is again in session. Angelic beings report to God. Satan intrudes. God questions him. Once again, the Lord draws Satan's attention to Job. Once again, the Lord delights in Job and here exposes the failure of Satan's plans. Job still holds fast his integrity. Although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason. What a Job! Say blessed be the name of the Lord. He didn't curse God. He blessed God. But Satan's never satisfied. He's always despising God's good word about his servants. Skin for skin. It's one thing to lose your staff, even your loved ones. But what happens if you feel trapped in the pain of your own mind and body, when your experience is so painful? You just want it to end. Well again, Job's faith will be proven. God's purposes will be vindicated. God allows this terrible interruption to Job's life. The most painful test. But again, notice he's in control. Satan has to answer to God. Verse six of chapter two. Behold, he is in your hand. Only spare his life. And then we hear something of Job's experience. Verse seven Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it. As he sat among the ashes. The ash heap, the rubbish dump. It's some kind of terrible skin disease that covers his body. He's in constant pain and discomfort. He smells. Even his wife finds it hard to be near him again. Others around him increasingly see him as unclean and cursed. Even children make fun of him. A huge thing in that culture. He has insomnia. His mind, his emotions are in turmoil. And I'm getting that from other little snippets where he describes his situation. So chapter seven, verse five. My flesh is clothed with worms and dirt. My skin hardens, then breaks out of fresh. Chapter 19, verse 17. My breath is offensive to my wife. I'm a stench to the children of my own mother. Chapter 30, verse 17. The night racks my bones. The pain that gnaws me takes no rest. Chapter 30, verse 30. My skin turns black and falls from me. And my bones burn with heat. And spiritually in his relationship to God. It feels like God's just moved further and further away, so we don't hear Job's voice from after the prologue until we get to the to the theophany, the appearance of God in chapter 38. And it's a very long book. That's a very long silence. So Job's going to keep calling out. He's going to keep saying, I can't, I can't feel you. Please speak to me. Why can't I hear your voice? Please show me that you love me. Almost the worst pain for Job, actually, than his physical pain is actually his pain in relationship with God. Because he knows that if he doesn't have God, in the end he doesn't have anything. What he wants most of all is to know that God is for him. Understandably, Job's wife is deeply upset, and I think we need to sit with Job's wife. We don't hear a lot about her, but I think we need to understand that it's her life that's been destroyed as well, isn't it? She bore these children that have died, and this is her husband that she has to watch powerless going through this suffering. And later, as she sits and listens to everyone, just continually throw these, shoot these arrows at Job, she has to hear her, the name of her husband denigrated, and all these terrible things being said about him. I think he or she is speaking out of her pain. She wants it to be over. It's just too much. But we also need to recognize that without knowing it, because she hasn't heard the conversation either. She's echoing the words of Satan when in verse nine she says, are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die. How does Joy respond this time? The last verse we're looking at, you're talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God and not trouble? In all this Job did not see in him what he said. Behind the word accept. There shall we not accept the good and the bad is the meaning. Shall we not make use of? Shall we not profit from not just the good stuff, but shall we not make use of the hard stuff as well? He's trusting in God. He recognizes the good things, and the hard things come from God's hand. They might not fit into our plans, our five year plans, but thankfully everything fits into God's plans for his people. Personal Reflection: God is For You So my illness meant that I was not working for a year I wasn't able to see. People did church online. and I was very grateful for, a handful of Christian friends who were very careful in the way that they rang up to to pray for me or just listen to me, or just sort of to be there. And I remember very clearly a much older mentor who rang up on one occasion and he said, after a very long conversation, said very carefully. He said, do you know, Andy, that, if if God thought that what was happening to you would lead to your eternal damage, he would not let it happen? Andy, God is for you. And that's not just for me, is it? That's for all of us. What does Romans 828 say in all things? Not just the good things, not just the happy things, but the difficult things, the things that other people around us don't understand and aren't sure what to say. In all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose, not my purpose. My purpose is often interruption, interrupted and frustrated, which I think is probably a good thing. But God's purpose is not frustrated by these things. God doesn't say, well, I don't know what to do with that. I don't know what to do with Andy. I guess just taking too long. Is this too. It's just too complicated. His life's too messy. No, he never did that. He never does that. In God's hands, our suffering is not meaningless. In God's hands, nothing is wasted. God is good. Moving Towards God in Suffering When Job suffered and he starts doing it here and he'll keep doing it through the book. Even as he's screaming out of God, he's moving towards God like a little child screaming out in the supermarket. Their parents aren't there. They're doing the right thing. Everyone else is a bit embarrassed how that little child screaming like that in the supermarket had never happened with my children. Rubbish. But anyway. But God, God, he's the best parent, isn't he? He's the perfect father. And Job knew that all, all the thing to do was to run to him. And his words weren't pretty or polite. It's like the kid just screams out. They don't sort of work out this script of how I can be polite to my mum in the supermarket, you know what I mean? His words are passionate. They're angry, they're confused. But in all these prayers, he's crying out to the right person because he's crying out to the one who's in control. He's crying out to the one whose purpose for Job and for his world is good. And we know now. Something the Job didn't know that all those prayers were ultimately going to be answered in Jesus. That in Jesus we see the suffering servant and we discover that in Jesus God has entered into our suffering with us, not metaphorically, but literally. Sharing our tears, sharing our pain. God moves towards us in our suffering. That's the thing that underlies our faith. Before we make any kind of movement towards God, God has already made the first move. Not that we love God, but that he loved us and gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. In Christ. God forgives us all our sins. He takes away all our guilt, all our shame, and will finally heal and transform and restore us when Jesus comes again. But right now, maybe for a long time, it won't feel like it. But we need to remember that God is good and he's working for your good, and he's working for the glory of his name in all the earth. Closing Prayer So my prayer for you and for myself, actually, is that as we hold on to Jesus, as we cry out to our loving Heavenly Father who's not embarrassed, not embarrassed even when we can't say anything at all. Actually, when there are only tears that as we do that we know that he is the one who is holding on to us. And whatever happens, he will never let us go. And when we look to the Lord Jesus and what he has done for us and who he is for us, now we know, don't we, that that is true. Let's pray. Heavenly father, we do thank you that you are the most perfect and patient and kind and holy and loving. Heavenly father, we thank you that you did so loved the world that you gave your son, that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life. We thank you that you do walk beside us in our suffering, and that you do catch our suffering up into your purposes for our lives and for your world. We thank you that nothing is wasted in your hands. Lord God, please help us to keep keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, remembering that your eternal hands hold us up now and forever. That we have nothing to fear because your love is true and strong and good. Please sustain us. Please strengthen us. Please help us just to keep going. And we ask it in Jesus name. Amen.

Who do people say Jesus is? And more importantly, who do you say He is? This sermon by Richard Bruce dives deep into the most crucial question of faith, exploring the identity of Jesus as the Messiah and the profound power held within His name. Discover how an encounter with Jesus can be a life-transforming choice, just like it was for a beggar at the temple gate. Are you ready to consider what it means to call Jesus your Lord, Savior, and Friend? Tune in to explore the step of faith. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Transcription Taken from Mark chapter eight, verses 27 to 38, Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, who do people say I am? They replied, some say John the Baptist. Others say Elijah, and still others one of the prophets. But what about you? He asked, who do you say I am? Peter answered, you are the Messiah. Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. Get behind me, Satan, he said, you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it. But whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his father's glory with the holy angels. This is the word of the Lord. Sermon: Richard Bruce Well. Good morning. It's good to be with you. My name is Richard Bruce, and, I'm feeling very old today because, the last time I spoke at Deep Creek, Bob Brown invited me, and I looked this up. It was a men's breakfast out there in 2006. So, that was some time ago. And I'm also feeling, old, but also encouraged because, I've known Megan for a very long time. I was her first youth group leader, and, I was there the night that she made a commitment of faith. So it's been wonderful to journey, along with her over many years. I do want to encourage you to continue to keep all of the candidates, that had their names put forward for the archbishop in your prayers. It's a pretty tortuous process that they go through and very vulnerable. There's not too many jobs that you have. Nearly 800 people, considering you for, but that is that is the Anglican way that we do it, in Melbourne. But, encourage you to keep the candidates in your prayers. My role, currently, I am the archdeacon for Diocesan and Parish partnerships, working centrally, in the diocese. And what that looks like on a day to day basis is, I work with our prison chaplains, our hospital chaplains, op shops. And then there's a whole range of, individual church programs that work with Anglicare Victoria, Brotherhood of Saint Lawrence Benitez and other Anglican agencies. So I'm I'm kind of like the go to guy, for those things. If a parish wants to investigate doing a program like a. A breakfast program for homeless people or an op shop or something like that. I'm the person that they come to. I go and meet with the parish, talk about it, and then we work out who are the organizations or agencies that they might connect with to partner with in doing that. So I live locally in Warren, and I normally do come along and sit over quietly with my two boys. Over on the side we come in. Just the service begins and then we sneak out just as it finishes. Previously been on staff at a number of churches, but it's, It's good to be with you this morning as we finish, this, series of together. And I get to start my timer now for the sermon. So. Yeah. There we go. Megan said we had to be very careful about our timing. So there we go. Yeah, it was very encouraged that, she made it very clear that as a senior minister, the timing does not apply to her. But anyway, here we. Here we go. Who Do You Say I Am? I love this. This is. This is perhaps my favorite passage of scripture. If if someone said you could talk about any passage of scripture, what would it be? This. This would be it. I love the fact that as Jesus is walking along with his disciples, he asked that question who do people say that I am? And then he asks them, but who do you say that I am? I wonder if we we went down to the ponds this morning or we went to your favorite cafe this morning, perhaps to your workplace, to your social club, whatever it might be to to the people that you engage with. If we ask them, who do you say Jesus is? I wonder what the responses would be. I think they would be quite varied, wouldn't they? Quite varied. For the disciples, we see that when they first interact with Jesus, when they first start walking along with him, they ask that question, who? Who is this man? Who is this guy? When Jesus calms the waters. When? When they're out in the boat, what's their response? Who is this man that even the waters obey him? All the way through to this point in Jesus life and ministry, where the disciples have been walking with him for nearly three years, they've been living with him 24 over seven. Where Peter declares, you are the Messiah, you're the one that we have been waiting for. You're the one that's going to save us. Jesus shows his identity to his disciples, to those that are closest to him. And if you read the gospel of Mark and Matthew, you will see this come through clearly, where Jesus shows his authority and shows the power of God working through him in these five areas to teach his authority over sickness, over nature, over death, and the authority to forgive sins. So for the disciples, the people that are living with him. Where if there was anyone that would have said, this guy is a fraud. This guy is not real. There is. There is weakness. There is inconsistency. It would be the disciples, wouldn't it? So this is the power of Jesus asking this question of the disciples. The other people who are not living with him every day they say, well, some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, still some others. One of the prophets. They're all good things. But when Peter says, you are the Messiah, this is a declaration that the disciples see him in his true identity, in the fullness of his glory, in his purpose living out. This is powerful. That's why he says, don't go telling people because he knows what the implications would be. For Jesus to fulfill 300 to 500. Old Testament prophecies about who the Messiah is. In just a few years is powerful. This is part of the proof of who Jesus is. To the disciples, as they are looking for the Messiah to come. They see it living out before them in an undeniable way. It is not insignificant that Peter says you are the Messiah. You are the one that we are looking for. The Name of Jesus Now we hear the name of Jesus many times a day. If you like me in all kinds of circumstances. We hear the name of Jesus. It is one of the most used swear words in our society, isn't it? All you've got to do is watch a movie. Hear people talking. Jesus. Jesus Christ, Lord almighty. Or as one of my bosses used to say, Jesus wept. It is used all the time as a profanity in movies, TV shows, sporting fields, whatever it might be. People use the name of Jesus, don't they? But predominantly it is a swear word. Now I find it amazing that it is socially acceptable to use Jesus name as a swear word, but yet as a Christian, as a as I like to call myself as a professional Christian, being an Anglican minister, most people know that instantly when I say I'm an Anglican minister, that I'm a Christian. If I was to use the name of Jesus and start to talk to people about Jesus, they'd get all offended and upset and I'd be told to shut up. But no one predominantly tells people if they use the Lord's name in vain, to be quiet. Not to do that. That's not inappropriate. That's not appropriate. We don't see other people's names being used as a swear word, do we? People don't go, oh, Richard. But Jesus socially acceptable? It's the norm. The third of the Ten Commandments is you shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for your Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. There are consequences to speaking the name Jesus, and if you misuse it, that is sinful. That is against what God wants us to do. So if you've ever misused the name of Jesus, you have sinned. But the good news is that we are all sinners, and it is in fact by the name of Jesus that we can be saved. Romans 623 says, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Now the other thing that I find amazing and I've discovered over the years. Is that people are happy to talk about God. But when you start talking about Jesus, you get a reaction. You see, it's it's kind of easy to talk about God because God's this, this thing, this power, this thing which is up there and out there that isn't really tangible. And so people are happy to talk about God. But as soon as you start talking about Jesus, I get a response. Sometimes a reaction from people, particularly for those of us who have grown up in Western culture, most of us would know about Jesus. We know about the Easter story that this guy, Jesus, died on a cross and apparently rose from the dead. But the confronting thing about Jesus is that Jesus died for me. Jesus died for you. We we have this reaction, this personal response to what someone says they have done for us. I think we see that in Anzac Day, don't we? There is this response that even though it was so long ago, there are people who laid down their life for you and I today. And there's a there's a reaction, there's a personal response. A bit of a who am I that someone who doesn't even know me, laid down their life, went to war to sacrifice themselves? That I can live the life that I live today. And I think that's part of why the name of Jesus commands such a response in us, where it's nice and easy to talk about God, but talking about Jesus, well, that's personal. That's personal. The Power in the Name of Jesus Now, the Bible has a lot to say about Jesus, and we could spend hours here just going through the Bible passages which reference his name and the power of that. But I'm just going to go through a number of Bible passages. I'm going to read them out. And as I do, I want you to just take on board the name of Jesus, the person of Jesus. And I want you to ask yourself this question if if what is being said about Jesus is true? If what is being said about Jesus is right, then what are the implications for me? Where do I stand? What is? What does this mean for me? If this is the truth? How am I going to respond to it? So let's let's have this. Bible passages: Matthew 121. He was given the name Jesus because he would save his people from their sins. John 112 to 13 yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision, or a husband's will, but born of God. John 129. The next stage on the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him and said, look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John 318. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only son. John 2031 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Acts 221. Talking about the Day of Judgment, and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans ten 9 to 13 that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Philippians two 910 Therefore God exalted him, Jesus to the highest place, and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth, and under and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. They're pretty confronting passages, aren't they? Pretty daunting to think the power and authority of the name of Jesus, that everything in all of creation at his name should bow and give honor to Jesus? The name that is used as a profanity as a swear word. Is the name by which the whole of creation ought to be bowing in honor, the name by which every person can be saved. Is Jesus Christ more than a swear word? You'd better believe it. If what the Bible says is true. Then that impacts how we live our lives. For when we acknowledge that something is the truth, we either have to live by that truth or we ignore it, don't we? We all live by the truth that we believe that gravity is real, don't we? No one came in walking around wearing really heavy shoes with because we don't believe in gravity. And if we don't have really heavy shoes, we might, you know, float away. A little while ago on my social media feed. For some strange reason, I started getting all these video clips about flat earthers. I don't I don't know what I did to for it to happen, but I started getting all these clips about people trying to convince me that the earth is flat. And I was absolutely intrigued at the flat earthers. They are 100% convinced that it is the truth. I remember watching one clip where this guy started out to prove to people who believed that the earth was round, that it was actually flat. And as he did this experiment where he had a flat bit of paper and he had a light and he started to to to curve the bit of paper and talked about angles and everything. You could see that he'd suddenly convinced himself that the earth wasn't flat. So as he was trying to convince people that it was flat through this experiment, you could see the look on his face as he suddenly was like, oh, hang on a second. Hang on a second. I've. I've just just proven what I was trying to prove. And you could see him starting to think about all the consequences of this truth that he had just come to realize. That's what happens to us as we start to explore Jesus. We start to say, is this is this real? What if what are the consequences? How has my life going to change? For most people, coming to faith is a journey rather than an individual one off event. The Crippled Beggar Healed I'm going to read to us from acts and I'm a visual person, so I like to whenever there's a Bible story or something like I close my eyes and I try to visualize and and put the people into place and, and see what it's like so that I get the, the kind of full experience. So I want to invite you if you feel comfortable to close your eyes. As I read this story from acts three 1 to 16. And then I'll, I'll bring us back into the room at the end of it. But I want to encourage you to to try to picture what's occurring in this interaction. One day, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer. 3:00 in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, look at us, said the man gave them his attention, expecting that he was going to get something from them. Then Peter said, silver or gold? I do not have but what I have, I give you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. Taking him by the right hand. He helped him up and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called beautiful. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished, and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them, Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness? We had made this man walk. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus. This man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus name and the faith that comes through him that has given his complete healing to him. As you can all see. Isn't that a powerful story? Here is a man from birth. A cripple. As these disciples, as these followers of Jesus go in. They offer him Jesus healing. Can you imagine what's going through this cripples mind. He's sitting there thinking, this is. This is my life. This is how I make money. This is my identity. I'm the cripple that sits at the gates and gets money. So when Peter reaches out, his hand says, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, get up and walk. Here's a choice, doesn't he? He can sit there and go, dude, I'm a cripple. I don't walk. This is. This is who I am. This is how I am. Nothing's going to change. No. Jesus of Nazareth. This. This is it. So here's a choice to make. Do I keep living the way that I've been living? Or do I accept? Do I reach out my hand in faith? And say, well, maybe this Jesus can transform my life. Maybe Jesus can perform a miracle and heal me. But what are going to be the consequences if I'm healed? What am I going to do? Don't have a job I've been begging my whole life. I'm going to be the former beggar. Everyone's going to know. Everyone's going to ask me questions. Oh, you're the guy that used to beg and Jesus healed you. What? Tell me about that. His decision to reach out his hand wasn't just a simple thing. It was a transformation of his life. It was an incredible act of faith. That would mean he was never going to be the same again. For him, for whoever his family was, for his community, for the people in the temple that day I was there the day that miracle occurred. I was there, I saw him when I went in. He was a beggar inside. He was walking around. Unbelievable. When we come and we engage with Jesus, there is a transformation that occurs. We see that throughout the Gospels. We see that from the apostles, from the disciples, even after Jesus ascension. And there are many people in this room today that could give testimony of Jesus transformation in their lives. Maybe not as miraculous as being born a cripple and being healed, but we could. All who are Christians give our testimony of what it was that caused us to give our lives to follow Jesus. How miraculous or mundane that may be. Just like the disciples, we have a testimony of a relationship with the living Jesus that has transformed our lives, that continues to transform our lives. What Good Is It? The last part of that Bible passage that we read talks about what good is it for someone to gain the whole world and yet to forfeit their soul? It's a great question, isn't it? I love Jesus questions. He kind of just. Really puts it to us. So many people in our world are trying to gain the whole world. I've known people who have acknowledged who Jesus is. I've been using these Bible passages since Meghan was a teenager. This is who Jesus is. Are you going to acknowledge who he is and accept him or reject him? Because they're the only two options. And there's going to be consequences to that decision. What are you going to do today? What are you going to do tomorrow? Next week? It's a daily decision to pick up our cross. For those who are Christians, to pick up our cross and to follow Jesus. So whether you are a person of faith or not. Jesus is who he is. He is the Messiah. He is the Christ for me. And for many people, this is the undeniable truth. Who do you say Jesus is? Who do you say Jesus is? For me, when someone asks me that question, I often get asked, why are you a minister? Or why are you a Christian? I go to a local gym in Doncaster and we were meant to be. I was meant to be going with a group of them to the football game yesterday afternoon to watch Carlton lose again. And I said, so I started to help arrange this social activity, and I ended up saying, I can't go. I've I've got to go to an Archbishop selection. And for some of those people, they were kind of like, oh, you know, it's great conversation about being an Anglican minister and conversations of, of faith. And, I was I was sitting at the archbishop's election with my daughter Bella on the, the phone here. she's she's saying I'm talking with the people from the gym, and they're I'm trying to explain what an archbishop's election is. And so I'm sitting there typing away as people are asking her questions, and I'm thinking, what a great witness. My daughter's there explaining to a bunch of people what it is about a faith and an election. I'm expecting over the next few weeks, as I'm at different gym sessions for people to to come and ask me questions of faith. Who did you elect? What was the process? Why are you a Christian? Who is Jesus? My response is always Jesus is my Lord, my Savior and my friend. The characteristic that always gets people is that last one friend. Jesus is your friend, isn't he? Like 2000 years ago. And I say, well, no, he's alive and well and I have a living relationship with my Lord and my Savior today. Just as real as the disciples had 2000 years ago as Jesus walked this planet. So what words? If you're a Christian, what words would you describe Jesus as to people? If you're not a Christian sitting here today, what words would you have used to describe Jesus? Called to be Friends One of my other favorite passages is I come to to land this message. John 1512 to 15 if we could have that up on the screen. John 15 says, my command is this love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than they lay down their life for their friends. You are my friends. If you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends. That everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you. Throughout this series you. If you've been coming along each week, you have heard testimonies. If you've been invited along by someone this morning for the first time, or maybe the 10th time. Ask them for their testimony. Ask them, why are you a Christian? Or maybe you are someone who has been a Christian for a while and you've been struggling, and there's a sense there of, I just need to recommit my life to Jesus afresh. there's nothing wrong with doing that. I've probably done that a hundred times. But today is one of those days where you have the choice. Like that beggar. Am I going to reach out my hand to Jesus? Or am I just going to sit there and say. I am a sinner. I'm a cripple. I'm not worthy. You, Jesus can't do anything. You have that choice to make. when you came in today, you will have got a bit of paper, a little bit smaller than this, but a bit of paper on the one side of it. Is a prayer of commitment or recommitment. I imagine. During the service or during the sermon, you've had a chance to read through that. On the back is what are some next steps that you can take in your journey? Like the disciples going from who is this guy? Jesus? Maybe you're not at the point of like Peter declaring that Jesus is the Messiah. But I want to encourage you with you. You've been a Christian for five minutes or for 50 years, or you're not a person of faith yet to look at. What are those next steps, particularly to do the Alpha course? I've seen so many mature Christians, faith, become alive and fresh, and have a new confidence in being a Christian in their world. From doing the Alpha course and inviting people from their world along. So if you're a Christian, I encourage you to to do the Alpha course, but during the next two songs. Want to encourage you to to privately or if you've been invited along by someone, if you want to pray. Pray this prayer of commitment to pray that prayer. Maybe you're someone that likes to do things physically. there's plenty of space down the front, down the back. If you don't. If you don't want to be seen by people, you know, go down the back, kneel, stand, do something physical in your response to Jesus. But I want to challenge you to have an encounter with the living Jesus today, here, now, that will transform your life. Closing Prayer I'm going to pray, just quickly. And then I'm going to I'm going to sit down the front just in case anyone doesn't want to come down the front. You're not alone. I'll be sitting down here, but let me pray for us. And then, the band is going to lead us in our final two songs. Heavenly father, we thank you for this day. We thank you that you call us friends, that you know each person, you know every person here. You know our hearts. You know our minds. You know how we view ourselves. You know, you know our relationship with you. You know our fears and our struggles and our joys. And I pray, Holy Spirit, that you would speak to each and every person here today to let us know that you know us, that we are loved by you no matter how much we love ourselves or how we value ourselves, no matter how distant we think we are from you. And I pray that we may this day have the faith to reach out to you, to ask you afresh or the for the first time to be our Lord, our Savior and our friend. That we may either begin that journey with you or strengthen that journey with you. But speak to us. Open our hearts, our minds, and our ears as spirits to hear from you this day. We pray this in your mighty and precious name, Jesus. Amen.

What does it mean to live out your faith in a postmodern world? In this sermon from Romans 10, we explore how the gospel is not just a messagebut the message. Discover why confessing Jesus is Lord changes everything, and how your everyday words and actions can carry the good news to others. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Transcription Scripture Reading: Romans 10:515 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law. The person who does these things will live by them. But the righteousness that is by faith says, do not say in your heart who will ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down), or who will descend into the deep? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart. That is the message concerning faith that we proclaim. If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. (Romans 10:515, NIV) Thanks, Ange. And good morning and welcome to Deep Creek. My name is Pedram. Please let me know if you would like to be a part of the things on the screen or if you're not, then, well, we find a way to well, we are exploring Finding Faith. And as Leili said, next week is the last session of this Finding Faith series as we explore the faith that we have in this worldnot just at the church, but outside the churchhow we live out our faith as Christians and believers and followers of Jesus Christ. So today, we will explore what it means to live out our faith in the 21st century in a postmodern world, how faith begins, and why sharing the gospel matters to us. I will change. Yeah. All right, so let's pray together. Gracious God, as we open Your Word today, we ask for open hearts and attentive ears. Speak to us through the Scriptures and by Your Spirit. Help us to hear the message of faith, to receive it with trust, and to respond with obedience. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. The Power of Words and the Gospel How the words we hear shape what we do in our daily life. We all have moments when words shape our decisions. In our postmodern world, videos and voices and comments from people in social media and politics, ads and friends, influencers everywherethey influence people (and us) more than we realize. So you scroll through Instagram or Facebook and see an influencer talking about a new smart vacuum, and you weren't planning to buy any. Suddenly you find that the vacuum machine is in your cart. Or during the federal election last year, constant messaging from the candidates begins to shape our thinking and decision through repeated promises of hope and change for the future. Even when shopping, it is often the reviews that we readnot just the product description, but the opinions of othersthat guide our choices. Words shape what we do. Why does this happen? Well, because words carry power. They shape our perception of reality, often without us even realizing it. We believe the words we hear, and belief leads to action and decision. That's exactly the dynamic that Paul is talking about here in Romans chapter 10. He says, How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? So the gospel is not just another message among all those messages that we hear from the world. It is the message. It is the message that calls for belief and transformation. And just as we act on the words we trust in everyday life, we act eternally on the words of Christ when we hear them and believe. So what's the difference? The words of an advertiser, influencer, or politician all offer temporary benefits, but the words of Christ offer eternal life to each of us who believes in Jesus. Righteousness by Law vs. Righteousness by Faith In verses 5 to 8, Paul shows us a contrast between law and faith, showing that faith has always been central to a right relationship with God. The laws righteousness is based on doing, but none of us can do it perfectly, right? So the law isn't the problemwe should know that the law is pure and speaks of the holiness of God, and it's not the problem. We are the problem, right? The law reveals God's standard, but it doesn't have the power to fix us. It doesn't matter what age we live in, whether 3,000 years ago or now in the 21st century, the root issue remains the same: our sinful nature. Like an X-ray that shows a broken bone but can't fix it, the law exposes our sin, but can't heal or cleanse it. It tells the truth, but it doesn't change us. Paul points to a better waya righteousness by faith. We don't need to reach up to heaven or down into the grave to find God, because Christ has already come and risen from the dead. The work is done not by humans, but by God Himself. And the good news: The word is near you. You don't need to climb up a ladder to get to God or to somehow become righteous in His eyes. But the gospel is right herein your mouth and in your heartready to be received and to be proclaimed. Belief and Confession So then, in verses 9 to 10, Paul tells us exactly what this message contains. These two verses are among the clearest summaries of the gospel in all of Scriptureif you need a short summary of what the gospel is, here it is. Faith involves both believing and confession. If you look closely, youll notice something fascinating: verse 9 says, If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. It begins with the mouth and then mentions the heart. But in verse 10 the order is reversed: For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Why this change? Is it just a stylistic quirk from Paul? I dont think so. I believe it's very intentional, because God wants us to see that true confession is never just about saying the words. It's not about empty repetition or external performance; it's a confession that comes from a deep well of belief in our hearts. The mouth simply gives voice to what the heart holds dear. Jesus Himself said in Luke chapter 6, Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. In other words, if you truly believe deeply and inwardly that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, your mouth will declare it. And that declaration will not be superficial or performativeit will be genuine, it will be worship, it will be a true testimony of a life lived with Jesus. Last Saturday we had a great baptism service at the cathedral, and an Iranian grandmother of four stood publicly to declare her faith in Christ in the liturgy. From the prayer book, there is a part where the priest asks the candidates to make a personal response. He asks her, Do you turn to Christ? And her response was simply, I turn to Christ. I do. It was a short responsejust two wordsbut they were full of meaning. They were the outflow of a heart that had been awakened by grace, transformed by truth, and brought into living faith. It was the visible moment of a mouth declaring what the heart already believed. Jesus Is Lord: A Radical Declaration Well, faith is not only internal trust, nor is it just external words. It is the union of both. To confess Jesus is Lord is to acknowledge His divine authorityHis rightful rule over our lives. Back in the olden days in the Roman Empire, where Caesar was hailed as Lord, to say Jesus is Lord was a bold and radical declaration. Similarly, in our 21st century, declaring Jesus as Lord is still a bold and radical declaration, especially in societies where personal eternity autonomy, success, or political ideologies are treated as ultimate authorities. In a culture where personal autonomy is prized, submitting to the lordship of Christ challenges our self-centeredness and calls us to a life of obedience and trust. To confess Christ as Lord is to say that no one else has the final word over our lives. Only Jesus does. Faith is not private. It's personal, yes, but not hidden. We are all called not only to trust Jesus inwardly, but to declare Him outwardly as well. No One Is Beyond God's Grace Verses 11 to 13 tell us that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Everyonefrom every nation, every language, every social classeveryone. There is no second-class citizen in the Kingdom of God. No one is beyond the reach of the grace of God. Our performance, our past sins, our present failures or whatever may come in the futurenone of these things can exclude us from the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. All thats required is this: call on the name of the Lord. That's it. Believe in His name. Depend on His mercy. Confess His lordship in your life. But someone might ask: Do I really need faith in God in the 21st century, in this postmodern world? Well, the simple and short answer is yesperhaps now more than ever. We all witnessed during the pandemic how modern advancementsthe technology and knowledge that humans havecannot fill the deepest gaps. And the problem is our sinful nature, and the gap between us and our Creator God. So faith in God speaks directly into those gaps and empty places. It tells the business person that their worth is not based on performance, but on being a beloved child of God. It tells the anxious parents that they are not alone, that there is a faithful Father who sees and cares. It tells the exhausted Nikki nurse on a night shift that she's not carrying the weight by herself. She's not alone. Jesus is present beside every hospital bed, even with her sleeping colleagues. Faith in God in the 21st century is not about rejecting science or hiding from hard questions and complexity in this world. It is about knowing where your true foundation lies. Its about trusting that when everything else feels uncertain, God is still steady. Its about opening our life to the One who brings peace in chaos, hope in sorrow, and purpose in the middle of confusion. It means following Jesus not just in belief, but in everyday actionat work, at home, and in our relationships. It means letting the gospel shape our decisions, our relationships, and how we respond to the challenges of this modern world. The Beautiful Chain of the Gospel Then we see in verses 14 to 15, Paul brings a series of rhetorical questions: to call on Christ, you must believe; to believe, you must hear; to hear, someone must preach; to preach, someone must be sent. Its a beautiful chaina divine sequence that shows how God brings people to faith through the proclamation of the good news (the gospel). This is why the Word of God matters to us in our churches, homes, and neighborhoods. People can't believe in a message they've never heard, can they? And they won't hear unless someone tells them. This is why sharing our faith isn't optional. It's essential. A few years ago, one of my friends was preparing to travel to Iran, and his desire was to carry Bibles with him to share God's Word with friends and family in Iran. But as you know, this is incredibly risky. We searched for a safe way to do it, but every option seemed too dangerous or impossible. Then one of the team members said, Instead of carrying Bibles into the country, why don't you become a living Bible yourself to carry the good news of Jesus? So we paused and prayed for that brotherthat God would protect him, empower him, and bear fruit through him. And God did exactly what we prayed. When he returned, he shared that during that trip he was able to share the gospel with 25 individuals, talking about Jesus and testifying how Jesus had shaped his life. We are the ones who are sent. We are the ones called to speak. And Paul concludes with this: As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. Well, feet might not be the most glamorous part of our body, but in God's plan, the ones that carry the gospel are beautiful because they bring life and real hope. (The Bible says the gospel brings a living hopeits not a superficial hope.) They bring peace, and they bring change to people's lives. The Word of God will change peoples lives. Living and Sharing the Word So what does this mean for us at Deep Creek, as followers of Jesus? This passage reminds us that the gospel is not just for unbelievers. Yes, it must be preached to those who havent heard, but it remains near to us who believeactive and living in our lives as well. The word that brought us to life is also the word that sustains us and transforms us every day. Faith is not just a private conviction or a one-time decision. It's a daily rhythm of hearing, trusting, confessing, and proclaiming. If the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, then our entire life becomes a space where the gospel lives and people can witness that. So let me offer three simple but challenging invitations based on these truths: Faith comes by hearing. That doesn't mean just listening to a sermon on Sunday or going to church once a week. It means creating space daily in our life to hear the Word of Christ. This could be setting aside ten minutes each morning to read Scripture slowly and reflectively. It could mean listening to a podcast that shapes your spiritual life while you're traveling or driving. Or it could be memorizing a passage of Scripture that you carry with you during the week. If we are not hearing the Word, our hearts will start to listen to other messagesthe messages spread everywhere, the ones that form us without us even noticing. It's a good moment to ask ourselves: What am I filling my ears and heart with? Speak the gospel where you are. When we say Jesus is Lord, we are making a claim that confronts every other claim to authoritywhether it's success, family expectations, national identity, or personal autonomy. To confess Christ as Lord is to resist the subtle pull of idols, not just the obvious ones, but even respectable ones like careerism, security, self-actualization, or even ministry success. The challenge for Christians today is not just to preach the gospel from the pulpit, but to speak it in kitchens and on commutes, in cafes, at work, or at the gymflowing from lives shaped by the gospel and submitted to the lordship of Christ. There is a challenge here for many of us: You don't need to be a theologian to share the gospel. Its good to have a solid knowledge of the Word of God, but you just need to be honest and available. Some Christians hesitate to speak because they feel unqualified. I don't have a Master of Divinity or a theology degree, so I don't know how to answer the hard questions. But the people around you don't need perfect answers. They need your real storyyour story of what Jesus has done for you. And you know what? Everyone has a story. Like our services start with every week, everyone has a story, and each story is unique in how God has shaped us through our journey. People love to hear these stories. So when it comes time for a discussion or even a normal conversation, you can talk about your hope, your struggles, your transformation. It gives others permission to wonder, to ask, and to speak. This is a great opportunity for the Holy Spirit to open space for them to explore what Christianity means. Paul doesnt say, How can they hear unless someone perfect speaks or perfect preaches? He says, unless someone is sent. In other words, the qualification is not perfectionit's willingness. God does not choose people because of their ability, but because of their availability. (Are we available for God and ready to share the story we have?) We are all sentnot as experts or theologians, but as witnesses. You may not have all the answers, but you do have a story. As I often say, you are a living testimony to the grace of God. Proclaiming the gospel is not about status or training or having perfect theology; it's just being you and talking about your faith. You can start with very small steps. Offer to pray for someone during the weekif someone shares something with you, say, Can I pray for you about that? Or mention Jesus in your conversations naturally. Share how Scripture encouraged you this week, or how a sermon or a podcast spoke to you. And never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will open the way through all those conversations in our daily lifeat our workplaces, in our families and relationships. Let confession shape our whole life. When Paul says we are to confess Jesus is Lord, he doesn't mean doing it only once at conversion or when we get baptized. He means that our whole life is to be shaped by that confession. The more we confess Christ with our mouth, the more our hearts are aligned to His lordship. And the more our hearts are rooted in Him, the more naturally our mouth will proclaim His goodness. Our whole life is to be shaped by that confession. It will change how we handle money, how we forgive others, how we prioritize our time, how we treat others, how we speak to our children, and how we endure suffering. In practice, it could look like this: Choosing integrity at the workplace, even when it costs you. Serving at church or in your neighborhood without recognition. Staying faithful in a hard relationship. Speaking truth when it's unpopular. This kind of life is not loud, but it is powerful. And it begins with the daily decision to saynot just with your mouth, but with your whole lifethat Jesus is Lord. The word is near us not only when we first believed, but today, in the 21st centuryin this season, in your questions, in your complexities at work, in your family, in your relationships, in your fears. God has placed His Word in our hearts to anchor us. He has placed it on our lips so that others may know Him too. When we embody the Word we have believed, we become the beautiful feet that Paul speaks ofthe ones who carry good news wherever we go. And we carry the testimony and the story that we each have.

Join Nathan Oliver as he delves into John chapter 4the story of Jesus and the woman at the wellto explore a faith that truly impacts our daily lives. Discover how faith is thinking, deeply personal, and actively lived out. If you're seeking a faith that goes beyond Sunday and meets you where you are, this message offers refreshing insights. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Transcription Bible Reading: John 4:4-45 This morning's reading is taken from the Gospel of John, beginning at verse chapter four, verse four. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Saco, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. And Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon when a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, Will you give me a drink? His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, you are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, if you knew the gift of God and who it is that asked you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. Sir, the woman said, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock? Jesus answered, everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, sir, give me this water, so that I won't get thirsty, and have to keep coming here to draw water. He told her, go call your husband and come back. I have no husband, she replied. Jesus said to her, you are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true. Sir, the woman said, I can see you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain. But the Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem. Woman Jesus replied, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the father in the spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the spirit and in truth. The woman said, I know that the Messiah called Christ is coming. When he comes, we will explain everything to us. Then Jesus said, I, the one speaking to you, I am he. Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, what do you want? Or why are you talking with her? When leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah? They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Meanwhile, his disciples urged him, Rabbi, eat something. But he said to them, I have food to eat that you know nothing about. Then his disciples said to each other, could someone have brought him food? My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don't you have a saying? It's still four months until harvest, I tell you. Open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for the harvest. Even now, the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life. So that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying one sows and another reaps is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work and you have reaped the benefits of their labor. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony. He told me everything I ever did. So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them. And he stayed two days. And because of this words, many more became believers. They said to the woman, we no longer believe just because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world. This is the Word of God. Opening Remarks Happy Mother's Day, I suppose. I don't know if that's a good introduction. It's too much of me. That's the first thing. But, And I'm here again. You know, Amy said a quiet life, not on a stage. I'm sorry about that. Thank you. That was. Pedram, you made us look way better than we are. That was good. I'm proud of Amy. and I love hearing her share her heart, too. So it's good. And, you know, before I begin, I'm going to pray. Father, thank you for your Grace. And free love. I love that line. That, you are greater. then, then our failures. So, God, I pray now that we would see your goodness this morning by your Holy Spirit. Would you make that clear to us? In your name we pray. Amen. So, Yeah. Like, I don't know how many people, would have known us before the video on the screen just now. we have been part of Deep Creek for about 12 months or so. you might know us. You might know us as, the family with the noisiest baby. Or you might know us as the family that's always late. which is fair. I didn't know there was music at the start until today. So this is the earliest we've turned up on a Sunday, so it was a good habit for us to begin. It's good. it's really good to be here and a good opportunity. Thank you for having me share with you this morning. My background is in church leadership, and, but it's been a couple of years since I've preached the until 8:00 this morning, and it was okay. so, you know, appreciate you, Grace and me having lots of nerves. I'm more nervous after the video than I was before. but I'm also nervous just just through the week. Thinking about this passage. I appreciate the Bible reading this morning. That was a long one. I'm sorry. and we're not going to go through it verse by verse if you wanted, though. open a Bible or have it in front of you. The text is going to jump around a little bit. but I'm nervous because, thinking about this passage and just actually applying it to my own heart. It's a big thing. there's a lot. There's a lot for us to think about. We're talking about everyday faith and how our faith makes a difference for us on the daily. Right. That's a big thing. And I think in my reflections this week, I'm feeling that very personally. And there's a there's a bunch that we can take out from this interaction that Jesus has, with the woman at the well. And so, what I want to look at, are three things about, I think, what this lady learned and definitely what we can learn about faith in everyday life. I want to look at how, our faith is a thinking faith, a personal faith and an act of faith. Just also want to clarify that when I. When I say faith, I mean faith in God. We're going to shorthand that today. we often in today's day and age, we talk about faith quite broad and quite generally, faith can mean that I just have general hope. have faith in myself. I have faith that we can get through. But definitely what we're talking about this morning is faith in everyday life is faith in God. The difference that he makes when we put our hope and trust in him? Okay, so thinking faith, personal faith and living faith. Faith in God is a Thinking Faith So the first one. Faith in God is a thinking faith. Okay, now, we read the passage, and one of the things that you'll notice at the start, or maybe I'll give words to you for that is there's six verses of context, six, six verses, just to set the story up. Now, the reason that's interesting to me is because you don't get that in every passage. I wish we did, but we don't. Often you'll get maybe one line, maybe one word, maybe just a really brief intro to what's happening. Maybe sometimes there's none. But here we get six whole verses on context, and so we need to learn from that and take well, the setting actually must be quite important. And it is. We need to know that the setting is significant to the people of Samaria. This is a Samaritan woman at the well. The setting where they are in Samaria is important. I like the way that the the passage was read this morning for us. It said Jesus had to go through this place, and it's sort of like, well, why else would he if he didn't have to? He probably wouldn't. And that's the case. Jews and Samaritans were not the best of friends. This was a time where where you came from determined significantly. What you believed today might not be that different, but it was very much the case in this time. Judea and sorry, Judea and Samaria were at this stage politically the same. They were both under the same Roman rule, technically within the same sort of like, country, I suppose. But historically, Samaria stood out. If you go back to one Kings, you'll see that there was a point in Israel's history where Samaria was made the capital of the northern Kingdom. Why that's significant is because when the Assyrian empire came in and took over Israel, they went for Samaria. They went for that city. It was strategically the smartest thing to do. And one of the ways that they defeated that city was to take all of the prominent Israelites out of it and put their own people in. Right. And so the people who influenced culture the most were now gone, and it was mixed in with the new Assyrian flavor. It became this sort of dual culture. And they changed. They mingled everything. They, they, they, they shared each other. They learned new recipes from each other and their background and their cultures. They they whatever. They watched each other's movies. I don't know how you learn someone else's culture, but they they sort of mixed everything up, including intermarrying and including borrowing from each other's religious perspective. So much so that Samaria kind of adapted this alt alt alternative version of the Hebrew faith. It's it's alt Jew Judaism, that's what it is. And, They sort of during this phase, they sort of like only focused in on the first five books of the Bible of the law. That's how they interpreted everything in Samaria. And so, the Jews actually had a further breadth to draw from, to understand God's Word, but it was just reduced. And because it was reduced to those five chapters or, sorry, five books of the Bible, the literal implications of that meant that they thought that the place where you worshiped God was in this specific setting on Mount Gerizim. And it was so important to them that they actually built a rival temple there. And that's. Does that make sense? Now, as you think about the conversation Jesus was having with this woman. And and he's saying, you believe this. And she's saying, well, we believe this. And you. And what about where you worship, right? That's why it's because of this, this background. And it was such a rivalry that was built between the two 200 years after that temple was built. There was an uprising by certain, Jewish people, and they destroyed their temple, the Samaritan temple. And that was 200 years before this story took place. This is a rivalry that is both historical and religious, and it's centered at the location where we're reading this story. Add something to the text. It adds something. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus finds himself there, and there's no one else there except this one lady, the Samaritan woman. And here we have a Jew and a Samaritan, and they begin to talk. If you need further confirmation of the rivalry, just look at verse nine where it says, the Samaritan woman said to him, You're a Jew. I'm a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? And here it is, just there for you. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Clear as day. And yet they did associate. And it doesn't seem heated either. There is a reasonable exchange. And in the end, the woman Jesus is speaking with seemingly expresses faith in God the way that Jesus was talking about it. And by the end of the passage, we see she's a believer. Through this conversation. This is a powerful conversation. A reasonable exchange of thoughts and ideas took place, and it led to something very significant happening. It's not a normal conversation because Jesus uses all sorts of vivid imagery about water and, you know, water that doesn't run out. It's very metaphorical, right? I don't know. I don't know if you would if you would find that frustrating or not. Talking with someone who's speaking in metaphors and hey, the wind is a bit of, I don't know, I don't even want to pretend like I can do that. But she doesn't know what Jesus means. But that's kind of the point. He says something, she clarifies. Jesus doubles down on his claims. She questions, how does that fit with my beliefs? Even the part Jesus miraculously knows her family history. She changes the topic and Jesus lets her, doesn't pull it back and say no, no, no, no. It's a very even conversation. Jesus gives room for the penny to drop. Because, you know, she needs to think this through. Even when the location question is brought up in verse 20, she says, but what about where you worship and where we worship? It's different. Jesus says, believe me. A time is coming when you will worship the father, neither on this mountain or in Jerusalem. A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the spirit and in truth. In other words, Jesus says to her, where? Think about it. Think about it. Think about who God is and what he's like. Maybe think about how big he is, how great he is. Do you really think he cares which side of the hill you worship on? There is a coming time where none of that will matter. Not from your side or from my side. No, no, no. He cares about your heart. And you might say, well, why bother with all of that, right? We saw in the passage there was a moment he pulled the husband trick out, and he. And like, that was pretty impressive. Like like he pulled out the thing. He had no knowledge of that beforehand. He just says it like, why bother with all the interaction? Just do that again. She was on the ropes. Get her over the line now. Right. You could even say, why are we even reading this at all? If Jesus is like this, that people like do the the miracle trick on me, you know, and I'll believe 100% no gaps at all. Right? And the reason why he doesn't just zap us into faith is because faith requires thinking. I don't think you can have faith without thinking. Is that good news for you this morning? You can't have faith without thinking. Which I think that's good news, because I think there is a perception out there that Christians are people who have switched their brains off, and the people who think would never believe what we believe or what a Christian believes. But I don't think it can work like that to have faith in God who we can't see. We have to acknowledge that you can't prove God's existence, and at the same time, you can't disprove his existence either. So that puts the whole thing in a bit of a dilemma. Either side of that equation, you are going to have to stand on faith one way or the other. I do believe it or I don't believe it. Both are faith standpoints. You can't prove it either way. So the question becomes you have to what? What can you live with from that position of faith that you take? Whichever one is what has the least issues for you? And so you have to think about that. What am I content to live with? One person says God can't be real because there's so much pain and suffering. Another person says the pain and suffering led me to God. Do you see what I'm saying? This week, as I was hanging out with a friend at the pub, we were talking about politics because I'm a boring person now and have grown up conversations. We were talking about politics and everything that's wrong in the world. And he got really agitated about one specific thing. I'm not going to say it's too divisive. Don't even ask me about it. but, it was. Are you Team Naga or Brookie? Which one? And we said, I'm not going to go into it. No no, no. Three people are on social media. Okay, okay. No no, no, it was something else more global than that. And, and he he was super agitated. Right. And I was thinking to myself, how do I even help my friend? What's my role here? And so I had this strange idea to ask him a question. Okay, that's fair enough. I agree with you. It's bad. But where do you get peace from now? But what will bring you peace? How are you going to live with that? And what I really want to say was, because if you intellectualize issues and push them aside because they're too much, then you have to acknowledge that the only way to do that by is by faith that nothing matters ultimately. If if you intellectualize it and then say, well, I can't deal with it, I just have to push it aside. Well, then the only way to do that, really is the faith that nothing really matters in the end. But it does matter to my friend. It does, obviously it does. See, faith comes from thinking, and thinking leads to faith. Don't just leave it there. Think. Be a thoughtful person. Think. Think about what? Why is it that when you see a beautiful sunset, it does something in you? But why? Why so much art based on the things around the world that we would describe as beautiful? Why do photographers take pictures of things that's done? Why? Why do we like it when we see it? Think about these things. What is it? And then what's the next question after that? You got to think. Remember Jesus on the road to Emmaus talking with the disciples. And he said, guys, remember, this is what the Bible said, this and this and this. Put it together. Think about it. Remember Jesus when he taught on worry and he's lying to the people he was speaking to. He was you of little faith. Why? Because. Just think about it. Look at the lilies of the field. Look at the sparrows. They eat their feel right. Don't worry. Think about that. Think this faith is a thinking faith. Faith in God requires thinking. Faith in God is also Personal Faith in God is also personal. We need to accept faith in God, which means we need to let it in. Sometimes that's hard because the personal stuff we feel can run pretty deep and it's real stuff. And actually, that's what I want to talk about, the real stuff, where it is personal. It was very personal for this lady, at least in three ways. She had three. She she had she had hurdles to get over. Firstly, she was a Samaritan. Secondly, she was female. And thirdly, she had a personal history that was difficult. The fact that she's a Samaritan, I've already covered a bunch of that. It wasn't just a racial division, it was a religious division. Certain associations with the Samaritan would have made a Jew ritually unclean. In fact, the verse is in so verse nine where it says, For Jews don't associate with Samaritans. The Greek is a bit dubious there, and is often used to sort of like translate a different way, which would say for Jews and Samaritans don't share, don't share the same dish. Right. And yet Jesus pursues her. He jumps that hurdle. Secondly, she's female. Everything of note in regard to a Samaritan background of the woman would be intensified by the fact of her being female. There's a bit of a pause in the story when the disciples catch up with Jesus and see him chatting with a woman, right? Remember that bit at the end? And I think it says they were surprised. Huh? What are you doing? Jesus is you at a lady? And it says. But no one said anything. The implication being, normally they might write. She wasn't supposed to be chatting with him. In fact, there was a traditional law created in the oral tradition that declared all Samaritan women were unclean from birth. It just really shouldn't have been doing this. And yet, if you flick back just one chapter to John three, you know, for God so loved the world that he gave. Right? That and this chapter are eerily similar. It's Jesus speaking with one person, having a deep and meaningful about all the big things of life. Except in that instance, it was a man, a powerful, educated, religious Jewish man. And he treats what's what. What is so stark about the two passages is he treats them both identically. Jesus shows this lady the same dignity and respect as anyone else. He jumps that hurdle. And then it's the private life that Jesus is talking about needs. Using water as a metaphor, anyone who would drink the water that I could offer them, they'll never be thirsty again. And she hasn't really got it right. And so Jesus changes the topic and addresses something in her life. Go tell your husband. Go tell your husband. Which she says, well, I don't have a husband. Jesus knew that. But what she said wasn't entirely true. Jesus clarifies that he knew that too. Now, it's not the whole picture. You've had five husbands. The man you're with now currently is not your husband. And yet, here's the key. Jesus doesn't rub it in her face. He commends her honest answer. And then he reveals the full story. There's no doubt this woman would have experienced stigma in her day. And at no point does Jesus embarrass her. Tease her. Mock her. Look down on her. And neither does he condone her situation. But he doesn't treat her unfairly. Instead, the offer to her is the same to you. And I have faith in God from exactly where you are, exactly where you are. I don't know about you, but like, so often I think I'm like, in order to even have faith in God, I'm supposed to be at a certain standard, even when I pray. I'm not honest all the time because I'm. And I pretend like like God. Like I could schmooze him over to think that I'm actually worthy. You know what I'm saying? Do you relate to that at all? But it's it's the gaps in our life that are that show us where we need God. It's personal, it's deep, it's real. But it has to come from those gaps. I've been getting into, becoming cultured in the last couple of years and learning about art history. I'm grown up now, and I can have conversations with other grown ups, too. And so I'm just I just want to impress people that I know stuff about art. That's all it really is. No, but I find it fascinating. I've loved this guy's writing called Russ Ramsey. he tells the most beautiful stories about famous, art, events throughout history. Right. And as I was reading the passage this week, it made me think of one particular story about Van Gogh. van Gogh. here he is. Vincent van Gogh. People would know him mainly for two things. The starry night painting. And let me test the second thing. How else? What's famous about Van Gogh? It's not. He cut his ear off. All right. There you go. It's exactly what I thought. So that's true, except the lead up to the event where he cut his ear off. Lots of people don't know that. And it's pretty, pretty powerful, actually. maybe you be the judge. Anyway. so the reason that came to be. Let me tell you the story. Right? It's a true story. Van Gogh was desperate as an artist to be in community with other people. he was he was a very, passionate guy, I suppose is a good way of saying it. And he was desperate to be in a community of artists and, always wanted to, like, do art and better himself, become the greatest artist he could ever be. Right? never really had it. Never really found that community. his brother was an art dealer. And so through the work that he did, he connected with some other artists, including, Paul Gauguin, who was like someone that Van Gogh looked up to. Right. And so, through that connection with his brother, they actually got to know each other a little bit, and he slipped the invitation and say, would you ever consider coming and living in France with me? Go again? After some deliberation, said I will on a trial period. Right. But we won't know each other. We don't know each other. How are we going to get to know each other? We can't find each other on Facebook yet, so I don't even know what you look like, right? So through their letter exchanges, they said, well, let's paint a self-portrait of ourselves as a way of introduction and mail it in the mail. I like this better than social media. And and then they said, how about we also attach like, like a literary thing, like a, like expression to it so that we can get each other where we're at. Right? And so they did. and so can we have the next slide up. This is Gauguin painted a picture of himself. He painted himself in the image like he presented himself as Jean Valjean from, Les Mis. Which I think is pretty bold. so he's a hero. He's what he's saying, right? And this is what he wrote in the letter. It is the face of an outlaw, ill clad and powerful, like Jean Valjean. That's fun to say. With an inner nobility and gentleness. The faces flush, the eyes accented, and the surrounding colors of a furnace fire. This is to represent the volcanic flames that animate the soul of the artist. The girlish background, with its childlike flowers, is there to attest to our artistic purity. As for this Jean Valjean, whom society has oppressed, cast out, is he not equally the symbol of contemporary Impressionist painters and endowing him with my features? I offer you as well an image of myself, a portrait of all the wretched victims of society. So he writes and says, I'm a hero. I'm representing all the all the outcasts out there and. And that's that's why I do what I do. Van Gogh presented himself in the sort of like nature of a Japanese monk. Right. He was really influenced by Japanese culture. He loved that. You'veseen some of his famous paintings. You can see that. and, so he got his idea from the, you know, the book that became Madame Butterfly, right? The opera, which is about French soldiers stationed off the coast of Japan. He was, you know, sort of like that. He was into that. And this is what he wrote in his letter. If we study Japanese art, we see a man who's undoubtedly wise, philosophic and intelligent, who spends his time doing what he studies a single blade of grass, but the blade of grass leads him to draw every plant. And then the seasons, the wide aspects of the countryside, then animals, then the human figure. Come now. Isn't it almost a true religion which these simple Japanese people teach us, who live in nature as though they themselves were flowers? Now, here's the thing. Like, he's he's like none of these. Neither of the guys were like, what? They said they were right. They weren't. Came from a super broken. He'd just been kicked out by his family. He couldn't make any money. He was a failed stockbroker, and he really just needed a place to live. And he cast himself as his hero. And then, like, sorry, it's troubling history of Van Gogh, but he was he was a troubled man. He was deeply anxious. Deeply. He struggled with self-doubt significantly. And yet they present each other as like, hey, this is this. It sounds like it's going to be a great community. And they did produce some good work, but they could only stick it out for 63 days. They argued bitterly every day. They were so like they had such different views. And so. And it actually ended in one boozy beef up one night when they were drinking in a cafe, discussing where art should come from in the artist's eyes. Right. And it says, the cafe owner said, like Van Gogh threw his absinthe across the room, and then he went up to his apartment. He got a razor to come back, and his intention was to kill Gauguin. He got a few steps away from him and then freaked out when Gauguin turned around and he just ran off and he ran up to his apartment, which is where the next thing he did was cut his ear off. What a tragic tale. What? What a tragic story. And the thing is about that Russ Ramsey, who I mentioned before, who writes about these things, what he says in this particular section is that to truly know someone. To truly know someone is to know their pain, is to know the gaps in their life, to know their area of need. That's how you know someone, not by their aspirational self, but by their actual self, when maybe even no one's looking. And then he points out that when you look at Jesus's ministry, that's in fact how you know anyone that Jesus related to. Think about all the people that Jesus ministered to. That we know them by their deficit. That's how we know them. Blind Bartimaeus. We know that the woman who was bleeding, we know the child who, like, was only sleeping like, you know what I'm saying? Like everyone that Jesus ministered to. It was at the point of need. It was the gaps in their life that actually made Jesus good news for them. And look at what Jesus is saying in this passage, verse 13 and 14. It says, everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I given will be coming them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The gaps in your life, in other words, the things you ache for, the things that have hurt you, the things that make you broken, the things that put you at a distance from God do not preclude you from faith in God. In fact, it's the opposite. The prerequisite for faith is thirst. Jesus isn't saying it's bad to want things, or to desire things, or to to be broken or anything like that. He's saying that if you put your faith in those things, though, that if only my job was better, if only I had more money, if only I had if whatever. Your if only statement is that if you put your faith in those things, you will be left wanting. There is nothing big enough to contain the dreams of your heart, the daily lives that you live. There is nothing big enough to contain it other than the one who made you. That's what he's saying. Because he knows he's the only one he can hold us. Our hopes and dreams, our hearts hurts and our fears. He's the only one big enough who can handle that. He's the only one. Therefore, he's the only one who we could really, truly have faith in that can meet us where we're at. Do you see Jesus at the cross and what he's doing? He he goes to the cross for our sin, right? And he pays the penalty. He gets rid of the gap between us and God. The things that cause the hurt, the things that cause the act. He he deals with that. But do you notice what happens that kind of like the climactic moment, the moment where Jesus breathed his last, everything goes black. And then what happened in the temple? The holy place, the place where God resided. The place where he dwelt, the place that was the most special dwelling of him in earth at all, was protected by a thick curtain. And at the moment Jesus died and passed cross that thorn for us. It tore into, because nothing could keep his holiness away from our own holiness. Nothing could keep his love away from us. And so he says, no, it's not. You show me how good you are and then you earn it. I'm coming to you in love so that you can respond to me in faith. It's your thirst for all things is the prerequisite for faith in Jesus. And in doing these things, Jesus validates those aches. He validates the hurts. He validates the gaps in your life and says, yes, it was intended to be different. And one day all those things will be realized in him. If faith is not personal, I don't think it's worth it. So, friends, I ask you in love today. Where are the gaps in your life? These are the spaces where God wants to have wants us to have hope and trust and faith in him. This is what this is the conversation he's having at the well with this woman. And he is the very gift himself that he offers for it to happen. It's good news. So where are the gaps in your life? These are the spaces where our faith comes from, needs to come from, not the bits where you got to work out. Faith in God is a Living Faith The third thing leads from that, and it's that faith in God is a living faith. Once we have faith in God, then what? I'm going to be short here, so don't worry. So it's going along well. Let's look at the woman at the well. Can we read verse 28 to 30? It's like she hears and then she goes. She receives that. She leaves her jar there. People like talk symbolically like that. She's she's given up her mechanism to keep drawing from the physical water because she's received from Jesus. I don't know if that's what is actually going on or not. She just might have forgotten a jar, I don't know, but either way, like, she's gone and she's like, she's acting. She's like and telling people, guys, you'll never believe I just spoke to this. Man. He knew everything. He's. He's got to be the one. He's got to be. She did something. She acted. I love it, I love it how it says at the end. We no longer believe just because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves. You see, they're going through the process. We're thinking. We're applying it to ourselves. And now we believe. And so now we are in response. Yeah. There's two ways you need to respond to God in faith. If you believe it's true. Faith. I've been thinking about what faith is and you can sum it up as belief. You can sum it up as just what you think. I don't know, but one thing I think the Bible describes faith as is responding to what you know is true about who God is. Right. Which then helps us identify how we need to have faith in him. What do you know is true about God? Do you know that God is the most generous being in all the universe? Well, then, what does that say about how you use your resources, your finances, your time, your energy, keeping to yourself? Like, how could you if you know what God's like? What about how God welcomes strangers? Well, then who gets to eat at your table? How many times? This is for me too. How many times do people get to sit at your table who don't share the same surname as you? What does it mean to make new friends? Isn't that what God's like? I'm not saying you have to do it that way. But what do you know about God to be true? And then how do you live? What about that? That he will return one day to judge the living and the dead? Okay, so where do you cut corners? What are the small gaps in your life that you can offer to him in faith and trust him in those spaces? The second thing that we can see here is that faith is for ourselves to to live out. But then it's for the benefit of others, too. That's what happened. A whole community of people came to faith in Jesus because one woman responded. In my role, I raised money for churches during the week. That's what I do. and it means I get to go and speak with lots of wonderful people. And I had a meeting not long ago with, with a big, foundation that is not from a Christian or any sort of religious background, and they'd never worked with an organization that was a faith organization. And I didn't know that until we met. And but I just approached it the same way I normally would. and so we just met for coffee and had a really good time, and it was just lovely. It was so, so much fun. And we kind of got carried away and just having a good time having coffee together. That's sort of my life. But, And then she sort of caught herself unnoticed. She caught herself and went, oh yeah, I've got to ask that question. And she, I could tell, like her face dropped a bit and she said it was like she had this important question that she needed to check before we passed the test, you know, and she said, but what do you say about the fact that, churches already have loads of money, that churches are rich? I said, you should see my church. No, I said, that joke worked better this morning. and I said, well, yeah, institutionally, I can see that's true. But the reality is, every church that I know, they're in it because they believe it and nothing else, that they're writing off their own steam. They're pushing as hard as they can with every resource that they've got. And I just had happened to have come from a meeting where I met with someone who was leading a church, and in their congregation, they told me that there's a number of instances, serious instances, and one of them was domestic violence. And so he had actually invited a woman to come live with his family. And that's what had happened. And so I relayed that to this person. I said he's not doing it because he has to. This is out of hours work. He believes this is what to do. This is how to live by faith, because this is the way that God has treated him. And then it looks like that. And she said, I need to figure out how I can tell this to the people at my work, because we need to figure out how to make that more common. And then she indicated that she wanted to just to talk more about how this was real. Do you see? Do you see how it works? Faith that you think through then becomes real for you personally and you live out is compelling. It's beautiful. It's just like the good news that Jesus shared with us. Would you consider what it might look like to be a person of faith in God? And what that would look like for your life? Think it through. Personalize it. Let it get in the gaps and then live it. Concluding Prayer Let me pray. Father God, thank you for your grace. May we live humbly in response to it. Amen.

Ever wondered, "How can I find faith for myself?" In this sermon, Megan, Vicar of Saint Philip's Deep Creek, explores this very question. Discover how we're all people of faith already, trusting in things we can't always see, from the air we breathe to the reliability of a chair. But how does this relate to faith in God, who is unseen? To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. Transcription I am Megan and I am the current vicar of Saint Philip's Deep Creek. but I stand in a long line of terrific leaders who have worked in partnership with a terrific bunch of people. Now we're here today asking a question. We're in a series called finding Faith. And we're starting today with our question. How can I find faith for myself? Believing in the Invisible And I wanted to go looking for something. I wanted to go looking for something in here. That's invisible. All right. What in here is invisible. Anyone? What can't I see? But that is definitely here. Don't overthink it. Yeah, okay. Faith is here. Thank you. You did overthink it, but I appreciate it. Yes. God is here. Yes. Thank you. Yes. Nikki. The Holy Spirit is here. Wow. You guys are all amazing. But there's some other things here that I can't see right now. Oh, yes. There's air. I can't see, but there's air. Does anyone know what's in the air? There's oxygen. Anything else? I mean, oxygen is my favorite, but there's nitrogen. Yes, there's there's argon. There is some carbon dioxide. Yes. There's all kinds of things. There's some water vapor. There's some, Trace elements of krypton. And there's methane, and I promise it wasn't me. So there are things that we can't see that are here. Is there anything else that we can't see that is here? Correct? Yes. I can't see your heart. That is good. That is a very good thing. but in terms of your thoughts, I can't see your thoughts. I can't see your feelings. But they're here. Your fight? Yeah. What you've been through. Absolutely. That is so good. Well, what about you? Some of the things that are very important to you. There's electromagnetic radiation which goes between your devices. That's here, right? There's radio waves and all those things that make our phones tell us amazing things. Yes, mommy and daddy. Yes. Well, I can see them, but do you know what? You're right in that I can't necessarily see that they're your mommy and daddy. I could do a blood test, and I could work that out. But you're right. Everyone is a Person of Faith There are many things here that we can't see. And sometimes when people say to us, well, I don't have faith because I just believe in things that I can see. We could say, actually, everybody here is a person of faith already, because being a person of faith is just about believing and trusting in things. So. I've got a chair here, and I can trust that if I sit on it, I'll be safe. I wasn't 100% sure, but I, you know, I had faith that I could sit down on it and it wouldn't break. You never know. If I put a couple of chairs together and decided to stand on them. That would be a bigger step of faith. It might not be very sensible at all, but there are other things that you and I have faith in that we can't see. So if I said to my daughter, we're going to have ice cream after church today. Now she and my husband says yes. She has to decide. Do I believe that? Do I have faith in what mum said? And there's been things that throughout our life have built up a trust in her that, if I've said it, probably will do it. I've said it in front of 100 people, so it's even more likely if I said, we're going to go to my favorite restaurant, Meat and Wine Co, and we're going to order the most expensive steak on the menu. What is like 400? I don't know, it's I've never, then she might think, no, I don't think that's going to happen, but an ice cream, we've done that before. And she can trust. So let's imagine that we are all in some way people of faith, and that there are things that we always take on trust. Sometimes if we put the effort into it, we could find out a scientific reason, for example, that Nick and Tam are a mom and dad. But sometimes there are things that we can't see at all. And we do believe. Pin the Tail on the Donkey: Faith vs. Guessing Right now, I've got a game here, and I'm going to need at least six little people to play this game. It's called pin the tail on the donkey. I'm going to put it up here. All right. So what happens in pin the tail on the donkey is you need to add to the donkey's rear end the tail. You're going to be blindfolded. And we're going to spin you around a little bit. And you're not allowed to give a good feel to this piece of paper. So you need to just have a look, okay. You're going to have a blindfold on. We're going to spin you around. You're going to trust that we're going to put you in front of it, and then you're on your own. Okay. You're ready for it. Okay. There we go. I do, I think you are the closest. Well done. Congratulations. We do have a little prize for you. Well done. All right. All right. What the Bible Says About Faith We're going to have some Bible readings now. And it's going to help us to understand more about faith. Two Corinthians four verse 13 to 18. It is written, I believe, therefore I have spoken. Since we have that same spirit of faith. We also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore, we do not lose heart, though through outward we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day, for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. Since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Now. Faith is confidence in Hebrews 11 verses 1 to 2. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Perfect. Thank you so much. So the Bible tells us that faith is assurance of what we hope for, but it's about what we cannot see. So the two readings that we had today talked about faith, particularly in the future. So when I sat down on the chair, that was me trusting that my future sitting would be safe. But it was something that you could see. It was over and done with. When I say to Phoebe, we're going to have ice cream. She has to trust because it's in the future. It's unseen, but it relies on what she knows about me. The availability of ice cream and possibly what's in my bank account. So when the Bible tells us that we are to put our trust, our belief, our faith in God who we cannot see, and in the promises about our future which we cannot see. We have to know that it's not the same as pin the tail on the donkey in. Pin the tail on the donkey. You have a blindfold and you are turned around, and you're not allowed to touch the outside of the page. Now, these guys had a pretty good idea where the tail might end up. This is pretty good, although I think the best one was on Nick's nose. Well done. But in general, it's a bit of a guess. The thing about faith in God is that it's not a blind guess. Reasons for Faith: More Than a Blind Guess We've got lots of reasons why we can know where we're aiming. So you're right. We can't see. And the Bible admits that we can't see God. Everyone said God's here, but we can't see God here. But the Bible tells us to trust not because it just tells us to trust. But because there are lots of reasons. So it tells us a few different things. Number one, it tells us that we've got a whole written record. If kids you've got a Bible, it might not look like this. It might have way more pictures, which is good. But we've got a written record so that we're not entirely turned around in looking for God. This tells us how. But the Bible also tells us, and you and I know that we can look around the world, and there are many things that we can see that point us to evidence of God. Now, has anyone seen any Marvel movies lately? Kids that the littlest ones know. But, well, one of the things that Marvel has been getting into is a thing called the multiverse. Does that ring any bells with anyone? That means that, you know, you might have an infinite number of spider-mans because there's an infinite number of universes. And in the sci fi world of Marvel, you might be able to move through those universes, and one day all the spiders will end up all together. Now we actually have no evidence at all. For anything other than the universe that we have. There is no evidence. Nothing. Entirely zero evidence for multiverses. But the reason it's an attractive idea. Is because it it gives us some sort of reason. Outside of a creator for this incredible experience called life. So if you look at our experience called life, if you look at our earth, actually it's quite hard to reason away that there is a creator. The only thing you can do is say, well, all the odds that have come together to cause humans right now. Everything that could have happened at any point will happen everywhere. We must have multiverses. It'll all. It's all happened somewhere. And so an infinite number of things have come together and it's totally random. But as fun as that is in Marvel. Actually, on Earth, in our universe, there's so much evidence that a good creator made us. So there's the skies, the earth, everything telling us that this didn't happen by chance. Then we have the Bible, and then we have the way in which we experience the love of each other. And sometimes that sense that something outside us really loves and cares for us. Different Ways of Knowing There are lots of ways of knowing things. So you might think, well, I, I know things because of science. Well, there are plenty of things that we know that cannot be proved by science, because science requires something to be able to be done over and over again. So if you do an experiment, you need to be able to do it again and again and again in order to be sure that the result you get is the truth. But when it comes to something in history, for example, you will have a good trust that a certain event happened, but you can't make it happen again. You can't apply the scientific method to historical knowledge. That's a different way of knowing. So you look for different things eyewitness accounts. You look for archaeology, archaeological evidence. You dig things up. You look for sources that are trustworthy. And then there are things like, how do we know that Avery and Maisie have a mum and dad? Well, we can see that in the way that they treat each other. How do we know that we have friendship? We can see that in the way that we treat each other, and in the way that we feel about one another, and how someone else makes us feel. There are lots of different ways of knowing things. And we have to go forward in our lives. Never letting anyone tell us that there's only one way of knowing things. The truth. We actually come at it all the time from lots of different ways. Trusting the Skateboard: Knowledge vs. Action Now I've got up here a skateboard. Okay, so I know this is a skateboard for a few reasons. I grew up in the 80s and 90s and, I used to sit on one and go down the hill. Right? That's. That's about as good as it was. I can work it out from a book or online. I can take a picture of it now and something will tell us. Now, how do I know? then, so I can work out what it is. How do I know that it's trustworthy for me to stand on it? Okay. All right, well, I know this one was, especially ordered by Phil, and he's a bit heavier than me. and he got the really the really good one, right? Especially asked, can this 50 year old man trust this particular skateboard? It didn't come from Kmart. Okay. All right, so I can I can have a look at it. I can trust I know the backstory. I know the history. I know that the company doesn't want to be sued. And so I have to trust that they're interested in safety. Okay. Now. That is all very well and good. You'll have lots of ways of knowing that God is worth trusting. You'll have lots of ways of knowing that Jesus is who he says he is. Lots of ways there really are, and it's trustworthy. But that's a bit different than. Getting on it right? It's a bit different knowing that there's a God out there. Believing that Jesus is the Son of God and actually putting your trust. Now, Philip, could you come up here, please? The suspense. Okay. Now, first of all, for me to really know I'm going to I'm going to put someone else on this right before I go on it. What do you got? Okay. You can stand on it. Good. Oh, that sounds interesting. Okay. Yeah. All right. Now, can can it. Can it do anything? Okay. All right. It can do a few things. What about anything else? Whoa! All right, that seems. That seems okay. All right, so what I've done there is I've had a look around. Is someone else able to trust? Is someone that I love and trust able to trust this thing? Yes. All right. Now, could you help me, please? Thank you. Right. I think maybe two hands. Right. Great. Together. Okay, so I've got someone here helping me, holding me and telling me, don't do that. telling me. Yeah, if you are, if you put your feet too close together, it's going to go out the back from you. All of these things. All right. Now. Okay. All right. Now. 00000. Hang on. It's stuck in the little thing now. And that's going to be really problematic okay I'm going to get this way. All right. So I'm not going to go down the stairs right now. Taking the Step of Faith But what what we've done is gone through a whole process. How can I have faith? I can work out whether the object that I am thinking about is trustworthy. Lots of different ways. Then I have to decide, can I take that step for myself? What I did was check out whether someone I love and trust can do that. He could. Then I said, can you help me? And he did. And then eventually I took my hands away and I moved a little bit. Now I only do this on carpet because otherwise I would absolutely it's going to fall off. But eventually, with that sort of help and the right protective gear, I'd be able to ride that for myself. So I want to say, can you have faith? Well, you absolutely can, because you're already a person who believes and trusts things. You absolutely can. Because there are all kinds of ways of knowing things to be true. And all of those ways can be brought to bear on the Bible and the truth about Jesus. But eventually you will have to take a risk. You will have to say, I'm going to get on this thing for myself. But you don't do that on your own. So what we're going to do now is one of the things that we don't do on our own, and that is to share communion together. This is a way in which we see other people who can get on that skateboard, and we stand with them and they show us, and Jesus shows us that he is trustworthy. Learning from Saint Philip: Ask, Follow, Invite Well, today is the day that we celebrate Saint Philip. And this church is named after Saint Philip, but we mostly just call ourselves Deep Creek Anglican. but Philip was a great follower of Jesus who really wanted to know how he could have faith for himself. So he asked lots of questions and he followed Jesus around wherever he went so he could find out as much as possible, even really early in his following Jesus around what we sometimes call being a disciple or an apostle. he was convinced that Jesus was someone very special. And so in John's Gospel we read these words. The next day, Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, follow me, Philip, like Andrew and Peter was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip, after following Jesus for a bit, found Nathaniel and told him, we have found the one Moses wrote about in the law, and about whom the prophets also wrote Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nathaniel, also someone who took a little while to get some faith, said Nazareth, can anything good come from there? Come and see, said Philip. We've got an opportunity over these next couple of weeks to be like our namesake, Philip, and, well, ask questions, follow Jesus around. When Jesus says, follow me to maybe take that step of faith with the help of others. But we've also got one more thing that we can do. We can say to other people, come and see. Faith is about having enough confidence that you think it would be good for someone else to find out more about Jesus. Faith is not simply saying this is good for me, but saying this is good for the world. An Opportunity to "Come and See" And so over the next three weeks, the kids will be doing their special program, and the adults also have a chance to invite friends to think about who they would like to pray for, and maybe at work, or at home, or at family gatherings or at the footy to say, why don't you come and see? Doesn't have to be come and see here it could be come and see, read something, could be come and see. Search online. Could be. Come and see. Talk to my friends from my growth group. Or let's go out with a few of us and have pizza. But in three weeks time on the 25th of May, we will particularly be having an opportunity for people who are here in this gathering to say yes to Jesus. So Richard Bruce, who some of you may know, some of you might not know, who's a member of our congregation is going to be preaching, and he will give us all an opportunity to say, Will I take that step of faith for myself? And if you have someone that you know, it would be great to have them there. Then why not invite them along? We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

This sermon explores what it truly means to have faith, especially when faced with everyday realities and doubt. Journey through the story of a desperate father in Mark 9 and discover how faith isn't about perfect certainty but about recognizing our need and the "clues" pointing to Jesus. Learn how embracing questions can strengthen belief, and why ultimately, faith is about trusting in Jesus Himself, even amidst unbelief. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Transcription Bible Reading: Mark Chapter 9, Verses 14-29 Our reading this morning is from Mark chapter nine, beginning at the 14th verse. When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. What are you arguing with them about? He asked. A man in the crowd answered. Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, Nash's his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not. You unbelieving generation. Jesus replied, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me. So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell on the ground, rolling around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, how long has he been like this? From childhood, he answered. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us if you can. Said Jesus. Everything is possible for one who believes. Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief. When Jesus saw that the crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. You deaf and mute spirit, he said, I command you. Come out of him and never enter him again. The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently, and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said he is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, the disciples asked him privately, why couldn't we drive it out? He replied, this kind can only come out by prayer. Hear the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Sermon Good morning everyone. My name is Megan and I'm really pleased that we're able to do this series called finding Faith. as we celebrate Easter and as the church celebrates Easter around the world. We celebrate these events that are really powerful, but they're so outside of our everyday experience. And so when we consider can I be a Christian? We're faced with what we might feel is an enormous hurdle to jump over that we have to go from everyday life, our eating and drinking Monday to Sunday, life, to believing in things that seem almost impossible. And so this morning, I want to step us into what it might be to put your trust in something that you cannot see, and whether that hurdle is actually as high as you might think. Faith Beyond Sight: Learning from Thomas The great thing about the shape of the scriptures is that straight after Easter, we get some experiences of deep doubt. Now this is Thomas, and he's really digging in there, just really getting in there because he said, I won't. This is a Caravaggio painting. This isn't actually a photo. Just letting you know because he said to Jesus or he said to the disciples, I'm not going to believe in a risen Jesus until I get to see him and touch him, see the wound, touch it. Really get in there. That's the paraphrase. Dig around. And he does get the opportunity to do that. But Jesus says something that speaks not so much to Thomas, but to those of us who will come after. He says to Thomas, because you have seen me. You've believed that really? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. At the very start of the Christian church, the resurrection of Jesus, people really seeing him. Jesus looks to you and I, who will need to live by something called faith. We will need to believe in things that we do not get a chance to fully dig around in. And Jesus says that those of us who are able to put our trust, whether it be faltering early or strongly without having seen, will be blessed. So I want to ask the question today. What does it look like to have a little faith? Sometimes when people say, just have a little faith. They are telling us off. Don't you trust me? Don't you think I can do it or be more optimistic? Stop being so negative. Come on. Live in hope. Wouldn't you rather believe that something good would happen? But when it comes to faith in Jesus, well, we have the opportunity to admit that it can be quite hard. If someone says, just have a little faith. We look at the scriptures and we say, actually, it's way easier said than done. Life rarely makes faith easy. So we have this story. It's an amazing story and I just am privileged to share it with you today from Mark chapter nine. From Mountaintop Revelation to Valley of Despair And the context is when it says when the disciples joined the others, they'd actually been up the mountain with Jesus and they had experienced Jesus transfiguration. Again, not a photo. Different Caravaggio person painted this one. The picture of Jesus with Moses and Elijah in clothes that were dazzling white. And in Mark's Gospel we hear at the Transfiguration. A voice comes from the cloud saying to the disciples, Peter, James, and John, this is my son, whom I love. Listen to him. This is the most incredible revelation of Jesus. And you would think then this is going to sustain them this moment. Just have a little faith. I've got a lot of faith. I've just seen this person absolutely transfigured in front of my eyes. I can see that he is the king. And I've heard the father tell me it is his son and to listen to him. But as soon as they come down off the mountain, they find themselves in, well, the same existence that you and I find ourselves in every day. A life of confusion, disappointment, pain, suffering, argument, helplessness. They come down and they find that they're arguing. The teachers of the law and the disciples are arguing. And Jesus says, what are you arguing about? And a man says, teacher, I brought you my son. Bringing him to the disciples is, the same as bringing him to Jesus. They were his emissaries who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, Nash's his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not, from the top of the mountain, right down to some of the most painful things that. Maybe if you're like me. Become barriers to faith. Powerless disciples. People arguing about theological matters. No one can agree. Pain in a family member. And of course, seemingly very unjust suffering. But more than that, this child not only seems to have what we might call epilepsy or something today. Actually, no, it's not just a neurological condition. Not that. It's just just. But here we see that there is great destructiveness in what is happening. That there is evil involved in this boy's condition, because not only is he suffering these convulsions and fits, but the father says from childhood it has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. Come down the mountain and you find arguing, you find powerless disciples, you find pain in a family, you find unjust suffering, and you find evil, deep evil that is trying to destroy human life. And so faith is not easy. But to overcome those barriers, there is need. The father is in the midst of all of those challenging things, and yet his need drives him toward Jesus. Still, he is desperate. He is willing to take whatever step it requires to have his child cared for, healed, and saved. The Five Thresholds to Finding Faith in Jesus We sometimes think that putting our faith in Jesus. And you may not feel that that's you yet, go is just a matter of being undecided to a follower of Jesus, right? I have to move from being undecided about him to saying, yes, I'm going to follow him. But actually what? People have discovered that in this day and age, people have to cross five different thresholds in order to find faith in Jesus. You might see yourself in one of these thresholds. You might think of people that you know, people that you love. The first one is moving from distrust to trust. And that might look exactly like undecided to follower of Jesus. But it's not talking about Jesus. It's talking about distrust of Christian people too trusting a Christian person. So it is not possible, or really possible for a person in our post-modern, particularly in the West, to encounter more about Jesus if they entirely distrust Christian people. So a relationship of trust, a friendship, a colleague, whatever it is with a Christian person is the first threshold to cross. The second is going from indifferent to curious. So you can trust a Christian person, but you can be quite indifferent to why they are a Christian. What it means for them to have faith. but it if you cross the threshold of becoming curious about why they embrace this particular spirituality, then that's the second step. But the third and the fourth steps, they require need. They require a recognition. That there is something that could be better. So, in step three, a person needs to move from being closed to change in their life. This is how it is. I'm comfortable with how it is. I don't, you know, that's great for you. But here is my bounded set of life two. Hmm. Maybe there could be something. Maybe I could change. Maybe. Maybe there is a better way. Maybe I have needs that are not being met or not being met in the way that I think they were designed to be met, a need. Suddenly you can be open to change. And then the fourth threshold is moving from wandering. I'm kind of I'm open to change, but I'm not focused on where I'm going to find that change to seeking. And it's this threshold, I think, that we see the man with his son. Crossing in the story in Mark nine, he has heard about Jesus. He is now open to change. He has a need. So great. And now he is seeking out the one focused thing that he believes will help him to meet that need. Blaise Pascal, philosopher, said, in faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't. In this world of pain and arguments and hypocrisy, it is hard to believe. But when we know we have a need, we can find, even in the unseen, enough light to move forward, to seek. Faith, Reason, and the Clues Around Us But you might think a quote like that really is just about wishful thinking. Or do you have faith just because you want to believe? Just because it's it's better for you and your mind that you believe in a God. And it's not based on any rational decision. Well, no, we have to know that faith is not the opposite of reason, of rationality, of evidence. There's a there's one of the reasons why I think we see it, in the New Testament, that Thomas is allowed to experience the risen Jesus because there is no need to deny that this can be built on historical evidence. But it isn't easy for us to find absolutely certain proof. That's okay. There's nothing wrong with admitting that. But what we will find are many, many clues to the existence of God and the trustworthiness that Jesus was who he said he was, and that he did rise from the dead. Now, Matt and Eunice talked about some of the clues that they see in their life. Matt talked about the beauty of creation. Eunice talked about seeing the need of her clients and people around her, and knowing that there is something that could meet that need in Jesus. Both of those are clues that they experience. They might not be proof to everybody, but they are clues. Here in this story, we actually see plenty of the clues that you and I work with all the time. Now, the first one, of course, is that mountaintop experience. Beauty, the sense of transcendence, the experience of are something far bigger than us. It could be beauty, as in a natural mountaintop. But here there's this spiritual experience that the disciples have had. And when they come down, actually that spiritual experience is, shared just a little bit. I don't know if you caught verse 15, it says, as soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. We don't actually see that very often, that reaction. But the great spiritual experience that had happened on the mountaintop, just like when Moses would come out of the presence of God and the people would see him shining. The people looked at Jesus with wonder, and they were compelled to come to him. So there are clues in life when we have these spiritual experiences, when we find ourselves drawn to the person of Jesus, when we see beauty, majesty and vastness that is just so beyond what we can imagine would have come from nothing. But we also see a few other clues here. There are people who are arguing. Now, that doesn't really sound like a clue. Maybe. but the presence, in human beings of rational thought, of the attempt to see patterns, analyze things, and engage with one another on things that are really important. In fact, things that are not just what we can see or touch. Actually, that is a clue to us being something more than just another animal in the animal kingdom and an ordered universe in which you feel you can put together some rational set of beliefs and you can compare it to another one. Actually, that also is a clue, because science comes out of a universe that we believe can be predicted, that is ordered, that we trust, that the results that we get from our experiments are actually trustworthy. And the the final clue is the deep love and compassion that the father has for his child. Now we know that, the natural world wants to look after its young so that there is a propagation of the species. And you could say that that has nothing to do with God. But in the natural world, when there is a child, an offspring of an animal that is so unwell, you don't invest every resource that you have to care for it and love it. You don't see in the destruction that is coming, threatening it at every moment, the work of evil, because life itself is so precious. There is a clue here, in the great sense of unjust suffering and the pain that the father is feeling, that we were not simply made as animals that were a collection of random whatevers. But there is something deep within. There is unseen love and need and hope and compassion and sacrifice. That makes no sense. So we may not see proof, but boy, do we see a lot of clues. For me too, I find that, this book and there are parts of it that I still have questions about, but this book helps me to understand what I see everywhere in the world. C.S. Lewis said, I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it and I think this is trustworthy, but because by it I see everything else. When I look around a world that is selfish and in pain and yet hopeful and has love and wants to see a future and really just wants to have money and is, you know, full of comfort and yet deep injustice. This makes sense of that for me. So faith is not easy, but our faith can be formed. Looking at the clues and feeling our need and faith can handle doubt. Faith and Doubt: Building Spiritual Antibodies For me, I have always allowed myself to feel, and maybe I shouldn't say aloud myself as though I had some control over it. I have faced many crises and I have felt them deeply. I don't know whether I've allowed myself to do it or not, but boy, has it happened when something has challenged my faith. I have been so privileged to not really have deep, deep loss or suffering to challenge my faith. A lot of my crises of faith have been around my own sense of God's presence, whether he is at work, and then they have been intellectual and academic. So how do I know that Christianity is the one true religion? That has been a big thing for me throughout. Because I think spirituality is important. But how do I know Christianity had people turn up at the door to tell me about, you know, being witnesses of Jehovah? And I have felt that crisis and I've I've done a lot of looking into world religions and I have felt that crisis. I've looked at the way in which the Bible seems to be out of step with some of the things that we think are human rights. The quality of the of of the sexes. And I have felt that crisis. But what I have done and I didn't, put these words to it at the time. But what I have done is push into each one of those crises. Learn more. Never given up until what that crisis has done has created in me antibodies that have made my faith stronger and healthier. So Tim Keller says, a faith without some doubt is like a human body without antibodies. People who blindly follow their religion without questioning it are extremely vulnerable to crises. And so every time a crisis of faith has come and I expect them to continue to come, you might be in one right now. It is so useful to me. To think that God. God says that doubt will make my faith stronger if I use it. If I do what a healthy body does and recognize the pathogen full on and explore it and whatever I have to do, you know, whatever protein needs to, show itself on the surface of my T-cell. Yeah. Yeah. Hey, I do that, and it might take some time, and then I can move forward to the next exposure to some pathogen. You might remember when. I don't know if it was a it was because there was a new technology, but suddenly you could buy these massive packets of Dettol wipes, you know, the terrible for the environment. And I feel like there was a time as an adult when that wasn't a thing. And then suddenly the supermarket was full of these disposable, sanitizing wipes, and it was way before Covid. And so you'd be thinking, I got to get my whole house. And this is perfect, you know? Free to air TV where you always see ads that'd be of that movie. My house is going to be so clean. And then, of course, the backlash. Well, if your house is too clean, your child's going to die because it'll never be exposed to anything and its immune system will be so, and you will have wrecked it. And you have to let it play in mud. Well. Let us feel that backlash for our faith. Feel the uncertainty. Feel the questions. Talk about them. Name them. Articulate them. Touch the mud and see how your faith can be strengthened. So we come towards the end of this story. "I Do Believe; Help Me Overcome My Unbelief!" And, so he he sees the boy. Jesus says, how long has he been like this? From childhood. If you can do anything. Take pity on us and help us if you can. Said Jesus, everything is possible for one who believes. Now, in some context, we read this story about needing to wind up our faith so that we can see answers to our prayer, especially healing. Everything is possible for one who believes. But what we find in this story, actually in the man's response and in Jesus response to the disciples at the end, is that that's probably not the right way to read it. What we need to read it as is everything is possible by Jesus, and you need to put your trust in him. Because what happened with the disciples? Well, they'd been sent out earlier. They'd been empowered to heal and to cast out demons, and they'd been quite successful at that. And so what we see in Mark's gospel is this kind of ramping up of the powers of darkness and the brokenness in the world as it stands against Jesus. And here and one of the people I was listening to talked about it as a Mario boss battle. Like, you've kind of gone through a whole lot of stuff. And then here, that's for the youth. here at the end, what do you call. These. Bowser. Bowser. That's the thing. Yeah. Bowser. Thank you. Phoebe. Right. You've hit this boss battle. And all the confidence that the disciples have in themselves. And they've seen that their their ministry being successful, means nothing. And when they say, why couldn't we do it? And Jesus says, this kind can only come out by prayer. It's like, you can't do it. I can do it. You can't do it. But I can do it. If you can, said Jesus, everything is possible. For one who believes in me. Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief. Yesterday we were in the Alpha Saturday, and it was such a special day for me to be part of just a little, part of that course with those women who were doing it together at the moment. And we were talking about belief and unbelief. And and maybe the sense is for you like it was for some that they are opposites, but we have to admit that each one of us actually carries both. Even Christian people who are trusting in Jesus have all kinds of beliefs. And Jesus does not say that that stops his work for this man. He says, I do believe help me overcome my unbelief. And in that, in that prayer, Jesus rebukes the impure spirit. The spirit shrieks, convulsed, comes out. The boy looks so much like a corpse that many said he's dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. Faith is not easy. But for the disciples they'd seen this kind of ability in the name of Jesus to break through some of the brokenness and the evil in the world. And yet here no. But Jesus. Not only can conquer illness, but here he conquers evil and death. And the man had some belief and some unbelief. Doubt is not the rejection of belief, but holding a belief with hesitation and uncertainty. This man had doubts and he had reason to. But he had followed his need and the many clues, and decided to trust with what he could. Doubt involves believing something with questions about whether it is really true or not. So as we conclude. Faith is Trusting Jesus Faith is not about being 100% certain. Being sure that there is 100% proof for everything that you want to trust. Faith is not even something in yourself that you have to wind up so that God will give you a healing. No, faith is trusting Jesus. Not yourself, not your faith, not your belief. Sometimes we look at something like Romans five and we think that faith really is about us. Since we've been made right in God's sight by faith and because of our faith, Christ has done this. But actually, faith is just this internal spiritual mechanism by which we receive the work of Jesus for us. It is the reaching out in heart and mind and strength and soul. And the text really is telling us that it's all about Jesus. We've been made right in God's sight by faith, but it's because of what Jesus Christ, our Lord, has done for us. Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege, and faith is simply the way in which we move into that that Jesus has done for the man in this story. His belief was mixed. Maybe yours is too. But really, he took the first step to Jesus, not the first step to transforming his life, not the first step to filling his faith tank. He took a step to Jesus. He didn't see the rest of the picture. But faith as we begin this series is about Jesus. The band are going to come up. I'm already up here, so that's useful. And we're going to take this moment. The next couple of songs are just to allow some of that. To speak to where we are. There'll be opportunities throughout this series for you to take a step. And I want to encourage you to take a step. Heart, mind. Will, what do you need to do? Are there antibodies that need to be built up? Are there doubts that you need to talk about, or do you need to know that it's about Jesus? So let's stand and sing. And this is about worshiping Jesus. But it tells us that it's about Jesus nonetheless.

Tune in to Deep Creek Anglican Church as Megan explores the journey from the "fog of despair" to the "dawn of new life" this Easter. Discover how the disciples, lost in confusion after Good Friday, encounter the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. This sermon unpacks the story of redemption, revealing how Jesus opens our minds to the scriptures, our wills to seek His presence, and our hearts to recognize Him in the breaking of bread a journey for us every single day. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript How wonderful. Thank you so much. My name is Megan. If you haven't met me before. I'm one of the ministry team here at Deep Creek. And what an incredible privilege it is to be together on this day. Might not be shining outside, but, that's kind of a good thing, actually. We definitely need the weather to cool down. but we are here on this most brightest of days where we celebrate the dawn, the dawn of resurrection, the dawn of new life. The Beginning of the Story: Redemption So, this morning, we begin with a story. And every story begins somewhere. This one appeared to begin on a morning very early in the morning on the first day of the week. We hear that echoed in all the Gospels, but actually this story began a lot earlier. This story began with the birth of a baby. And at the beginning of this same Gospel of Luke, there is a woman who has been waiting, who has been waiting for this baby. And she says, that this is the one who would bring the redemption of Jerusalem. There was a prophet, Anna. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day fasting and praying. And when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the temple, she sees the baby. And she gives thanks to God and speaks about the child to all who are looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. This is the beginning of the story. The story of redemption. Now, redemption is not a word we use very often today. It means setting free by the payment of a price. In the Old Testament, it was used to refer to the buying back of slaves. It was used of God acting to free his people from their enemies and from oppression. But when Anna, at the beginning of this story, looks at this baby, she is thinking of far more than just the buying back of a slave or the redeeming of Israel. She is seeing the setting free of the whole world. How then do we get from this? Baby. From Hope to Despair: The Fog of Disappointment To two people walking along. In the fog. The fog of despair. The fog of confusion, sadness and disappointment. The story began like so many stories do, with great hope and potential. Like when you and I might see a baby. Or the cutest ones are here and you know there is so much hope. And you see the child as such a gift. And yet as life goes on, hard things happen, unexpected things come. And maybe the potential and the great hope that you had when you looked at that child seems very hidden indeed. And so that's what we find when we have these two disciples walking along after Good Friday. The story that began with the great potential of a baby, the one who would be the redeemer of Israel and the whole world. Seems to have ended in not victory, but defeat. There was a glimmer of light and now, because of Good Friday, they walked in the long shadows of disappointment, the potential, everything that they'd seen in this man who had healed, who had blessed, who had welcomed, who had seemed to hold within himself the very power of God, had died on a cross. And they use the same words as Anna. They say about this one. We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. In the Gospel of Luke. You actually only get the words redemption twice in the beginning, in the kind of infancy parts of the story. And then here. Here, when the story seems to have come to an abrupt end. We had hoped, like the prophet Anna, that this was the one to redeem Jerusalem. And yet it's been three days, and our hearts are broken. They started off on a journey with Jesus. And they've heard that there's an empty tomb. But it was not simply a matter of hearing that the body was no longer there. They have to put a great deal together because they have been through so much. The traumatic events of Jesus arrest and execution. They'd heard prophecies concerning the Messiah Jesus had said. What would come and they had experienced and learnt so much, but this had not yet come together in their understanding. The journey had begun, but it seemed to have become very clouded indeed. Jesus Journeys With Us in Confusion But the risen Lord Jesus never, ever leaves us in our doubt and confusion. As they talked and discussed these things with each other. Jesus himself came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. We have this strange collection of stories about the resurrection of Jesus, and I tell you, if you were making it up, you would not have these. Strange. Did we recognize him? What was he doing? Was it him? Was it a gardener? Where were we? Where were they? What was going on? We didn't believe them. We thought it sounded like nonsense. You wouldn't make this up. But what you would do is tell the stories of exactly the confusing moments that you had, where resurrection life broke through into your normal, everyday existence, where someone who was dead was suddenly alive again and you did not recognize them because they were now both alive and a heavenly being ready for eternity. You would not have said, ah! We were standing together and we were really sad. And then suddenly we. Someone walked through a wall and there he was in our midst. All of these stories, the disciples trying to make sense. Of the spiritual, of the eternal, of heaven's life breaking into this one. But we also suspect that God was doing what God always does. Go on the journey with us. God knows that you and I need time to come to understand who he really is. A couple of weeks ago, we talked about how in Luke's gospel, he moves us from the mind to the will to the heart. That you see the evidence of who Jesus is, and you ponder it and you say, yeah, okay, I could believe. And then you see the call and the compelling nature of who he is, and you say, I want to. I want to believe, I want to be near him. But then finally, you see his heart. You see what it meant for him to weep over Jerusalem, to die on the cross, and to come and meet his disciples in the midst of their grief. And you say. I could believe. I want to believe. And now I believe and love this one. So, Luke, throughout his whole gospel does this mind, will and heart. But here, here in the journey to Emmaus, he does the same thing. Jesus takes the two disciples on that journey. The confusion of resurrection becomes the dawn of the mind, the dawn of the will, and the dawn of the heart. The Dawn of the Mind So we begin with the dawn of the mind. Jesus speaks to them and says, How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all the prophets have spoken. Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself. There was so much to put together. And only the risen Lord Jesus could make sense of it all. So he speaks to them, and he tells them about this suffering and glory that the Messiah must undergo. And I wonder whether you've ever thought about where that might be in Moses, the prophets, and all the scriptures or the writings is how we sometimes call them. I sat with them for a while. I didn't go through with a highlighter the entire Old Testament. that's the good thing about having computers these days. But I sat with it for a while and I wondered what would he have been explaining to them? Well, from the very start of the story in Genesis, death enters the world because of sin. And the promise is that the offspring of the woman will be bruised, but he will crush the serpent's head. There is suffering and glory, and only arisen Messiah can make sense of it. Abraham with his only son Isaac, or the son of promise, I should say, is there ready to sacrifice him. And yet God says, no. I will provide I will provide the sacrifice. And of course, the gift of that sacrifice would lead to the blessing of Abraham and the whole world, suffering and glory. Exodus 12. The Passover Lamb, the blood on the door before the Exodus into freedom, suffering, and glory in the prophets. Isaiah 53. The suffering servant pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. And yet remains obedient, confident that God would bring a victory. In Zechariah, God says, they will look on me, the one they have pierced before the promised last days, or the new covenant will come suffering and glory. In Psalm 118, which is used throughout the New Testament. There's a picture of a stone that the builders rejected, becoming the cornerstone. Jesus wants his disciples to know that this picture of suffering, rejection, the one who would take death and sin on himself, was necessary, always necessary before glory. The only way for life to come to the whole world would be suffering. Followed by glory. It isn't a detour. It is the plan. It is the map. The cross wasn't a mistake. It was the fulfillment of the pattern that had always been foretold. For God to redeem a people who were stuck in slavery to death and sin and darkness. He had to enter into it and then break it open from the inside. So only a risen Messiah can make sense of it all. And so he explains to them, and he uses this Greek word day, and it means it is necessary. It must. It had to happen. And so he, of course, has showed that it had to happen from the Old Testament, from Moses or the the Torah, the prophets and the writings, the Psalms especially. But throughout Luke's Gospel, he's used that language already. He's said. Didn't you know I had to be in my father's house? Didn't you know that it was necessary for the Messiah to die? And on the third day rise again? I must go to Jerusalem, because that's where prophets face their suffering. I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God. The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected and be killed, and on the third day be raised to life. There is a divine necessity in this, and only the risen Jesus can explain it to us in the midst of the mystery. The Dawning of the Will And so as they travel along this road, perhaps the fog is starting to lift. They realize they'd heard this before. They'd heard it must. It is necessary. They'd heard Jesus say that before. He's explained to them why he would say that they've seen the Old Testament in a new light. And so I think here is the dawning of the will. They want to be near him. They want to understand. So as they approach the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. I don't know if he was or he was like, come on, guys, come on. Where's that will? But they urged him strongly, Stay with us, for it is nearly evening. The day is almost over. So he went in to stay with them. Only a living Jesus can make us seek his presence even in the fog. I don't know if that's your experience even today. It's kind of perfect that we're sitting in this very gray moment, because it can be that life never looks as shiny as we want Easter Sunday to look. Easter Sunday never looks as shiny as we want Easter Sunday to look. But there's something about Jesus that makes us hunger and thirst for him. I know that when I became a Christian at age 14, I really had no idea who this Jesus was. But there was something about him. There was something about this one who would love me and call me to himself. That made me want to be near him. When I go to my professional supervision and I, say, this is so hard, this thing has happened. It's so hard. Ultimately, where I end up is wanting to be near Jesus. I don't have an answer all the time. Sometimes I'm still in the mystery and the fog of hard things that happen in life, including the life of faith. But there's something in my will that knows that if I could just be in a room with Jesus, if I could just take another step closer to him, then that would be part of what would make it okay. And I don't think that a dead messiah could compel that in our hearts. Only a living Jesus, only the one who was starting to lift that fog for those disciples, could make them say hi. Stay with us. We want you to be near us. We want to be near you. And so if if you're feeling in the grayness today, if it was a rush to get here, if you think, where's the light of Easter? Perhaps this is the message for you. Stay with us. We want to stay near you. The Dawn of the Heart But finally, there was the dawn of the heart. When he was at the table with them. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. Of course, when we see and hear these words, that Jesus was at the table with them, and he took bread and gave thanks, and broke it, and began to give it to them. There are two places in the gospel account that we go to. We go to the time when Jesus fed 4000 5000 people with just a few loaves and fishes. We know that he is the one who provides all we need and this desire that we had to be near him because we didn't know why. But we think I just have to suddenly make sense. He's the one who can feed our very souls. But of course, also it reminds us of the table of the Lord that Last Supper, the Lord's Supper, where he sat with his disciples and he said, this is what I do for you. I give my body, I give my blood, and we will share this meal again in my kingdom. Suddenly, the crucified one is sharing this meal with them again in his kingdom. And they realize that the new has come, that the dawn of God's kingdom, where they can be welcomed, has come. And as soon as they recognize him, he disappeared from their sight. Why? Well, I suspect that he had more announcing to go. And do I suspect that when we get to the end of this story and it says he's appeared to Simon. that's what was happening. You guys have worked it out. Here I go to make sure the rest, because only the resurrected Lord can open our eyes and hearts to the dawn of the new creation. Now, the breaking of the bread takes us to those two places. But I was reading, and I don't know if Luke meant this, connection, but I think it's powerful. Right back at the start of the story. There was another time when humans ate food and their eyes were opened. In the Garden of Eden, and that first moment of turning away from the leadership of God, the kingship of God. There's the picture of rebellion and eating fruit. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom. She took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves at the beginning of the story. Food was taken. Food was given. Food was eaten and eyes were opened. And what those eyes opened, discovered. Was shame exposure. A desire to hide and cover up. Was an unwelcome opening of the eyes to a middle of the story, which would be exile from the presence of God. But. And it was not right that did this connection for me in my reading. And he says, but this, this breaking of bread, this giving of food, this taking of it and eating it, this eyes opening is the ultimate redemption. This is the meal which signifies that the long exile of the human race, not just of Israel, is over at last. This is the start of the new creation. If the creation, which had so much potential, so much promise, like a newborn baby. Fell into this fog of sin and death. Then, now, as Jesus gives this meal and they take and eat and their eyes are opened, they see that the new creation has come. This is why right says repentance and forgiveness of sins are to be announced to all nations. The impact is not simply for the people of Israel who had a Passover meal. The impact is not simply for all the people who gathered and who had that meal on the hillside with the 4000 or the 5000. This is worldwide. This is creation wide. This is cosmic. And of course, in Luke's gospel, we've already seen Jesus say, if you don't praise me, if you don't love me, the whole creation will cry out. The rocks will cry out because this is the beginning of the new creation. The kingdom that I promised that I would share this meal with you is the restarting, the restoration of human hope and eternal life. The Journey Back: Hearts Burning And so they say, well, we're not going to stay here in this town where maybe was their Airbnb, where they'd, you know, had their lodgings for the night. We're not going to stay here. We have to go back. So they start their journey back again. And they say to each other, Were not our hearts burning within us as he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us , the intention of Jesus opening and the dawn of our realization of who he is. The intention of Jesus opening our will. And the dawn of us desiring to be near him. The intention of Jesus in opening our heart are all connected. He always intended, and his word is never separate from his intention to create in us hearts that love him. That we would enjoy him. That we would know him. We don't need to have an Easter day that's shining because we know him in every moment, in the fog, in the darkness, in the brightness, in the potential. And so they got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the 11 and those with them assembled together and saying, It is true, the Lord has risen, and has appeared to Simon, Simon, Peter. In Luke's gospel we'd only seen Peter see an empty tomb. But Jesus has done that work with him as well. And so the two told them what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. This is Easter Sunday, but it is a journey for us every single day, every single moment. Because Jesus is not content to leave us in the fog of our journey. Whatever your disappointment, whatever the greyness that you bring today, Jesus comes alongside to make sure his light opens your mind, opens your will, and opens your heart.

Join us this Good Friday as we reflect on the silence of Jesus before Herod, the weight of the cross, and the hope that rises with the dawn. A powerful reminder that even in the darkest hour, God is at work. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript The reading is taken from Luke chapter23, beginning at verse3: So Pilate asked Jesus, Are you the King of the Jews?You have said so, Jesus replied. Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, I find no basis for a charge against this man.But they insisted, He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herods jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him, dressing him in an elegant robe. They sent him back to Pilate. That day, Herod and Pilate became friends; before this, they had been enemies. Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. As you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him. But the whole crowd shouted, Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us! (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again, but they kept shouting, Crucify him! Crucify him! For the third time he spoke to them: Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him punished and then release him. But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder the one they had asked for and surrendered Jesus to their will. This is the word of the Lord. The Darkest Day in History Well, good morning and welcome to Good Friday a day that sits heavy in the heart of the Christian calendar. A day marked by silence, shadow, and sorrow. It is a day when the world felt dark really dark. And because Jesus, the Son of God, was put on a cross and died, it was the darkest day in history. It was the darkest day in history. Now, kids, I want you to listen closely to this part. Imagine youre walking in a very dark cave no lights, no phone, no torch. It would feel a little bit scary, wouldnt it? But then someone turns on a light a little light and suddenly everything looks different. Thats kind of what happened on the very first Good Friday. But do you know whats amazing? Even in that deep darkness, God was at work. Something beautiful was happening, even though it didnt look like it. Just like a seed that grows in the dark soil, something new was happening a way for us to be close to God. Because the cross is not the end of this story. The Silence of Good Friday In our reading, we see that Jesus stands before Herod questioned, mocked, dressed up like a joke. Herod plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. No answer. Nothing. Just silence. And its surprising, because all through the gospel weve seen Jesus engaging with people, having conversations people asking Jesus questions and Jesus giving them many answers, answers that heal, challenge, unsettle, or awaken. But not now. Not here. This week began with waving palms and cries of Hosanna! a king riding not a war horse, but a donkey. And now the week has turned. The crowd that once shouted Hosanna! now cries, Crucify him! Crucify him! So this silence is heavy, because during Jesus ministry, Jesus always spoke with people and asked deep questions and spoke words that touched the heart. But now, before Herod, there is no question. There is no reply. Jesus stands there, beaten, bound, exposed and says nothing. And friends, here is one of the greatest mysteries of Good Friday: God is silent. Why? Is it because Herod doesnt want to hear the truth? Is it because no answer would be heard in a heart thats already closed? Or is it because in this moment, silence says more than words ever could? Jesus silence speaks of the weight he is carrying to fulfill his Fathers plan for humanity. It speaks of the heart of the only Son of God, who knows what must happen next. Earlier this week, people laid cloaks before him in welcome, but their hearts held out hope for revolution or a political savior a restorer of national pride, a Messiah who would drive out the Romans, not carry a cross. They wanted the crown, but not the cost. They wanted the dawn, but not the darkness. This is the tension of Good Friday: darkness and dawn. Jesus silence before Herod is not a sign of weakness. It is the strength of one who knows the weight of the moment. Hes carrying the darkness of a world that still cannot see the dawn that has come into it. And perhaps this silence speaks more than any word could. Well, the world we are living in has grown allergic to silence. It wants noise, answers, solutions, content, and resolutions. But the cross does not work like that. The cross begins with silence with a King who says nothing, a God who enters darkness without explanation. And yet this silence holds promise, a great promise, because the dawn is coming. This is love: refusing to shout but willing to suffer. The same Jesus who said nothing to Herod will soon say, Father, forgive them. The same Jesus who was rejected by the crowd will open Paradise to a criminal. The same Jesus who wept over a city that would not receive him still weeps over our broken hearts today. So on this Good Friday, let us sit with this silence. Let it speak. Let it name the darkness we carry, and the illusion we must let die. For only then can we see the first glimmer of the dawn of the light that God shows us. An Invitation to Surrender Our Darkness Friends, both children and adults, I want to invite you into that space not just with your mind, but with all your hearts. Leyla and Rachel will be here at the front with some black ribbons, which represent the darkness, the pain, the sin, and the burden that we all carry. These ribbons are an invitation to bring what is hidden into the light of the cross. Take a moment. Sit in silence. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you, to show you what darkness it is he is inviting you to surrender today. Maybe its something that weve done wrong. Maybe its a burden you have carried for too long. Maybe its something thats made us sad or scared. Maybe its something we see in the world that hurts our hearts. Im gonna invite the band up, and they are going to sing an item for us. And when youre ready, come forward, take a ribbon and tie it onto this wooden cross at the front. In doing so, youre not just making a gesture; you are making a prayer a prayer that says, Jesus, I give this to you. I trust you to carry it. I lay it down where you laid down your life at the cross. No one will ask you what it represents. No one. This is between you and the Lord. And let this moment be your prayer. You carry on this Good Friday maybe you carry a lot and this could be your offering of trust, your act of surrender. Let this moment, this Good Friday, be a renewal in your relationship with the God who so loves you that he gave his one and only Son, that you may not perish but have eternal life. And as you tie that ribbon to the cross, remember the story does not end in darkness. This is Good Friday not because the pain is good, but because love is greater and the dawn is coming. Amen. Luke 23:3243 Two of the men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there along with the criminals one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, He saved others; let him save himself if he is Gods Messiah, the Chosen One. The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! There was a written notice above him, which read: This is the King of the Jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: Arent you the Messiah? Save yourself and us! But the other criminal rebuked him: Dont you fear God, he said, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Here ends the reading. This reading is also from the Gospel of Luke. Its from Luke23:4449: It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, Surely this was a righteous man. When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Here ends the reading. The Beauty and Mystery of the Cross This cross might look dark, but it is beautiful. You know why? Because whatever is hung on this cross is already forgiven and carried by Jesus for his precious blood. Imagine that you are in Jerusalem today. Its Passover, and hope is in the air. People are talking about a coming king to end their suffering. But all of a sudden, you see three men condemned to carry crosses. One collapses, and a bystander is forced to help. Finally, they make it up the hill... But one of them is marked more than the rest. Wasnt this man someone special? People say he was a carpenter a carpenter hung on a cross shaped by his own hands. But why is a carpenter being crucified? Others say he was a teacher a man who taught with unusual authority. But surely thats not a crime worthy of death. Still, some claim he made strange statements, like saying he could forgive sins (everyone knows that only God can forgive sins). Perhaps he claimed to be God. Years ago, when I was just a teenager, I watched a movie about Jesus. And at the very end of that movie, that very question came to my mind a question that perhaps many of us have asked or are still asking today: If this man was God, what is he doing on a cross? Couldnt he save himself? Its a staggering question. And yet the answer does not come to us by logic alone, or by looking hard enough at the suffering. The truth of the cross is something God himself must reveal. It is not just a tragic death to be pitied; it is a divine mystery to be unveiled. In the gospels, it is often the unexpected people the blind, the poor, the outsiders whose eyes are opened to see who Jesus truly is. And the same is true with the cross: we cannot see its true meaning unless God opens our hearts. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Foolishness to some. Power to others. What makes the difference? Well, it is Gods grace the Spirit of God, opening blind eyes. Jesus does not fight. He does not argue. He does not resist. He absorbs the judgment the wrath of God. He drinks the cup. He carries the sin not just of the crowd before him, but of all of us today. So here we are at Deep Creek, standing before that cross today the place where God confronts the depth of our darkness with the even deeper mercy of his love. Lukes gospel tells us that it was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining heaven itself refused to shine while the Son of God hung dying. It tells us what sin truly deserves, doesnt it? The Light of the world was being snuffed out, and the darkness that covered the land was a symbol of the judgment being poured out. But notice something else: And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. That curtain had hung for centuries in the temple. It was thick and tall a visible barrier between a holy God and sinful people. No one could go beyond it except the high priest, once a year. And now, at the moment of Jesus death, that curtain was torn from top to bottom not by human hands, but by God. The death of Jesus is not just a tragedy; it is a transaction. Hes not a victim; hes the Lamb of God the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the whole world. And just as the Passover in Egypt marked the beginning of freedom for Israel, this Passover at the cross marks the beginning of true freedom for all people for you and me, from every nation. His blood is not wasted; its poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. The sun stopped shining, but God was not absent. He was at work in the darkest hour. The greatest light was about to break. Because this death does not end in death: It ends in the tearing of the curtain. It ends in the opening of the way. It ends in the beginning of something new. It ends in dawn. This is the beauty and the mystery of the cross that even in death there is victory. And Jesus said, It is finished. Not you are finished. Not hope is finished. It is finished. The work, the striving, the separation, the shame, the guilt, the sin its all finished by what Jesus achieved on the cross for us. In a moment we are going to sing another song together. And as we stand in the shadow of the cross, we do not rush past it. We do not rush past the sorrow. We feel the weight. We acknowledge the cost. We let the darkness speak. But we do not despair, because there in the deepest night we hear the first note of morning. And now we will sing together. It was finished not just a slogan, not just a clich but the truth spoken from the mouth of the crucified Son of God, the truth that changes everything. The cross was the end of sins reign, but it was also the beginning of redemptions song. Its all finished. So let us stand to sing this song together.

This Palm Sunday message explores the other side of the triumphal entry the side marked by tears. Journey with us as Jesus enters Jerusalem not in might and pomp alone, but in deep sorrow and compassion. Experience the emotional resonance of a humble King and glorious Messiah who pauses to weep for his people, and discover what breaks the heart of our Savior even as he offers the hope of peace. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Good morning. This mornings reading is from Luke chapter 19, starting at verse 28: After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany on the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, Why are you untying it? say, The Lord needs it.Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, Why are you untying the colt? They replied, The Lord needs it.They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, Teacher, rebuke your disciples!I tell you, he replied, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peacebut now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of Gods coming to you. This is the word of the Lord. Well, its really special to be able to share Gods word with you this morning, especially if you are a guest of the Malone family. Were really just delighted to have this moment with you. And thank youthank you for being here, especially if church isnt a place where you usually find yourself on a Sunday morning. It is our privilege to share this time with you. Weve been going through Lukes gospel, and Ive got a bunch of them sitting on the table at the front there (and some scattered around in the foyer as well), because you might find that you want to take one with you when you leave. And youre very, very welcome to do that. Weve been looking at Lukes gospel, particularly at the questions that Jesus asks people and the questions that they ask him back. In Lukes gospel, we find theres a shape to it that wants us to come to a decision. Luke speaks roughly in thirds: to the mind, to the will, and to the heart. Luke, the writer, says, Im putting these things together so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. And Jesus stands up in the synagogue in Luke 4 and says, This Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. In the first third of the book, there is evidence upon evidence that Jesus is who he has claimed to be. We see Jesus authority over sickness, we see his authority over evil, and his authority over nature and creation. Hes really encouraging us to say, Well, who is this person? Who do you say that I am? The mind. Then the second part of Lukes gospel speaks more to the will. Will you follow? Now that you have seen the evidence of who he is, will you take that step and say, I will count the cost? It is worth losing many of the things that I have valued, so that I may gain Jesus and ultimately become myself, who God intended me to be, and experience what God intended me to for eternity. What does it mean to follow him? How do I take that step and choose? Its fascinating that we use that language when we have a baptism, because we are embracing baby Reuben into this community. Were also praying and trusting that as the Holy Spirit works in his life, he will see the evidence of who Jesus is in the Scriptures and in his experience, and he will choose he will make an act of the will. And sometimes (if youve been a Christian for a long time, or even if youre just thinking about it) it actually takes an act of the will, because life can be terribly challenging. So Luke appeals to the mind and to the will, and then he comes to the heart. Will you, having seen the evidence and having made a choicewill you love him? Will you say, This is so worth it, because Jesus is the King. I wonder if youve ever been in an argument with someone and theres been evidence and theres been counter-evidence, and, you know, voices might have become more heated and its only when you see the tears in the others eyes that you realize this isnt just an intellectual transaction. This is something that means so much to someone. Well, weve seen evidence upon evidence, and weve had an appeal to our will. But now we see the tears in Jesus eyes. We know this is not an intellectual exercise for him, nor for us. Will we love him as he loves us? So today were going to see not just the triumphal entry of Jesus, but in fact the heart-breaking entry of Jesus into Jerusalemand how that shows his heart and what that means for our love for him. The Intention of the Humble Lord After Jesus had said this to his disciples, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives (keep that in your mind), he sent two of his disciples ahead and told them to fetch a colt for him The Lord needs it was the password that would make the owners let it go. Jesus is intentional about coming to Jerusalem. Jerusalem. The place of worship. Jerusalem. The place where the identity of the people of God found its truest expression. Jerusalem it held the hopes of this people that had been destroyed and rebuilt, and destroyed and rebuilt. And here they were again, coming to Jerusalem, knowing that in the temple and outside the city gates events would transpire that were both dramatic and painful, and ultimately for Jesus, the crucifixion his death. Jesus chose to come to Jerusalem full of courage, but he came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey because it was the fulfillment of prophecy. So in the Old Testament book of Zechariah, we read: Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Jesus is not being swept up in events beyond his control. He is full of intention, and he is full of courage. He had, without the disciples knowledge, set up this arrangement in advance that he would enter into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey. Here is the promised Messiah, fulfilling promises from centuries earlier. But more than that, he is entering on a donkey. Now, donkeys are hilarious creatures. They sound funny; their eyes are big and fun. Theyre just ridiculous (and of course, Shrek comes to mind!). But the donkeyrather than being a foolish choicewas really just the choice of something normal, something day-to-day. We think donkeys are funny. Well, I doI love them. Im allergic to horses, so I cant really get up and give them a big hug (although I havent really tried; maybe my allergies dont cross over to donkeys. Well try it one day!). But this is a normal way of traveling. This is a normal way of carrying things. This is a normal beast of burden. And Jesus chooses the donkey not simply because this is the way in which the promised King (the Messiah) would enter his city, as foretold in Zechariah, but because Jesus is the one who is with us. Jesus is one of us. When his birth was promised, it was said that he would be Emmanuel God with us. Now, one day the Scriptures tell us that he will come riding not on a donkey, but on a warriors horse. Revelation 19 gives us this vision: I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. One day the identity of this King will be undeniable, as he rides in on a great warriors horse. But here, in this moment for us, Jesus is coming in as one of us, into a city that he loves a city that stands before him not as an object of judgment, but of deep compassion. When you read Lukes Gospel, sometimes you see that Jesus interacts with people in miraculous ways and then says to them, Dont tell anyone Ive done this for you. You think, Thats madnessyour PR person would be furious! But he wanted to ensure that he could come to this moment without the terrible distraction of being seen simply as a miracle worker or a power-person. But now, as he comes into the city, there is no hiding. He is the King promised in Zechariah 9. He is riding on a donkey, and he is one of us. He is coming to Jerusalem, facing his death for us. And hes doing it with full intention and courage. The Return of the Glorious King They brought the donkey to Jesus, threw their cloaks on it, and put Jesus on it. Now, in Lukes gospel it doesnt talk about palmsactually its kind of Cloak Sundayand so I was like, Oh, we could get the lost property and just put that along, because I think that would be really classy, very aesthetically pleasing! But that is what we see in Luke. People were willing to put down their cloaks. They made a red carpet out of whatever they had for Jesus to enter into the city. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives (take note), the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen. The evidence had been put before them, they had made the choice to follow, and now they cry out in praise: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, Teacher, rebuke your disciples. Jesus replied, I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out. Jesus knows that as he travels into Jerusalema King from among humankind, humble yet courageous, and truly the King who would one day ride in on a warriors horseit was right that he was praised. It was right that people joyfully shouted and praised God, saying that in heaven things are being set right and glory is here: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Jesus had been offered by Satan all the kingdoms of the world, and he said, No! I worship the Lord and serve Him only. And as he enters into Jerusalem and receives that worship, he shows us who he is: God the Son, coming as King. Now, I called this the return of the glorious King. Theres an interesting reason we might use that phrase. Way back in the Old Testament, some centuries before Jesus entry into Jerusalem, there was a prophet called Ezekiel. (Ezekiel is the guy that had the weirdest visions of allI dont know if youve seen those internet memes about biblically accurate angels covered with eyes or wheels; well, that comes from Ezekiel!) Ezekiel had a terrible burdena heartbreaking burdento tell the people of God that Gods presence was leaving them. Ezekiel saw the presence of God in these crazy visions, and the message he received was that God was coming up out of his temple, moving to the edge of the city of Jerusalem, and then leaving. It was a terrible, terrifying message of Gods judgmentthat He would be absent from the heart of his people because they had turned away from Him. They had closed their eyes and stopped their ears. And so in Ezekiel 11 it says: Then the glory of the Lord went up from within the city and stopped above the mountain (the Mount of Olives) east of it. This was a sign of judgment leading to destruction: God leaving the place where He once dwelled, moving out of the temple, eastward from the city, up to the Mount of Olives. But Ezekiel also received from God a message of hope that one day the temple would be restored and God would return to it. And so in Ezekiel 43 it says: I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east... and the glory of the Lord entered the temple. And so I wonder: as we see Jesus coming in from the east, from the Mount of Olives, moving down into the city and into the temple, do we see here the return of the glorious presence of God? What Jesus would do when he entered that city and what would happen to him was the only way for the glory of the Lord to return and stay with his people. Jesus encountered the same sort of rebellion, the same sort of blindness, from his very own people (we see that in the Pharisees saying, Stop your disciples from crying out!). It was the same sort of rebellion that had meant the glory of the Lord left and went up to the east. But now Jesus says that the only way the only way for humankind to dwell in the presence of God is for the glory of the Lord to return to Jerusalem, to the temple, and then for the people of God to crucify him. This is the only way. The return of the glorious King. The Weeping Savior As Jesus reached the top of the Mount of Olives and saw the city spread out beneath him, he wept. His heart breaks as he approaches Jerusalem and sees the city. He weeps over it and said: If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peacebut now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of Gods coming to you. We only see Jesus described as crying twice in the Gospels. Once is at the tomb of Lazarus, where Jesus weeps at the death of his friendJesus weeps at the seeming victory of death, at what that means for the disruption of human relationships and the burden of grief on those left behind. Jesus weeps. And here, this is the second time: Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. I dont know if youre much of a crier. I have been a big crier over my life. Huge. Its lessened maybe over the last ten years, but I tell you, as a woman leader it is awkward. You really feel embarrassed and, you know, its just kind of part of who you are. It plays into this narrative and youre like, Oh, stop it! But Ive come to realize that when you cry, something is happeningsomething telling you to take notice. Just telling you to take notice of what is going on. Sometimes its because youre particularly tired or stressed. Sometimes its telling you that theres an injustice happening and you feel really helpless about it. Sometimes its telling you that a boundary has been crossed. Sometimes its telling you that youre really invested in whatever is going on. Sometimes it can even tell you that youre happy. We had a wedding on Friday, and there were tears they were very happy tears. You see me when people are giving testimonies: they are happy and proud tears. Well, for Jesus, we need to ask: is this an indication that hes worried or stressed over what is to come? He is moving into a time that he knows will be agonizing (we actually do see him described in Hebrews as praying with loud cries in the Garden of Gethsemane). So possibly he does have some tears in another moment that we dont see recorded in the Gospels. But here were not seeing him crying for himself. Were not seeing him crying because of whats to come. Hes not stressed about that, even though he may have been. What were seeing is him crying with a broken heart over the people that he longs to draw to himself, and yet who are blind and deaf to his cries. He is crying with a broken heart over the people that he longs to draw to himself, and yet who are blind and deaf to his cries. He is coming to the people of God who should be recognizing the King when he comes to them, and yet he knows that they will not. And he has seen this pattern. You know, maybe its a cry of frustration hes seen the pattern of the people of God: being warned and then ignoring, and experiencing pain and destruction, and then rebuilding and returning and then doing it again, and again. He sees that that is possibly the pattern that is going to happen again now, even though the glory of the Lord is returning to these people. But more than that, hes weeping and the language is pretty strong. Its like sobbing. Hes crying because he longs to have these people know the peace that he brings. They longed for peace. Theres almost no human being that doesnt long for peace, even if its a self-centered understanding of what that peace is. Jesus knew Jerusalem longed for peace; they wanted political peace, they wanted spiritual peace, they wanted religious peace. But they werent able to see the King coming, returning to bring that peace. If only, he says, you had known what would bring you peace. But they were spiritually blind in the previous chapterwhich is one of the reasons why I think it would be really great. (Grab one of these!) In the previous chapter, you meet someone who is physically blind and yet who is spiritually very able to see Jesus the King, the Son of David. And he receives his healing, his peace. His heart is open to Jesus. His deepest need is met. But here here, Jerusalem is spiritually blind. They have gone down a path that has made them move towards darkness for themselves, and ultimately darkness for the Son of God. And just as Jesus would come one day on that warriors horse to set things right and to bring true justice, the destruction of Jerusalem would come as a symbol of that, in about 40 years time. Walls would be built, hemmed in on every side, and people whom God loved would suffer. And so Jesus is not crying angry tears, or tears of judgment. Jesus is crying grief-filled tearscompassionate tears. God is not a cold God who says, I told you so, and revels in being right. Gods heart breaks when people do not see the way of peace. So, in Lukes gospel, this is particularly a heart-breaking entry into Jerusalem: with a humble Lord, a glorious King, but a weeping Savior. And so I think there are, in the spirit of our previous series, some questions for us at the end of this passage. First of all, can our hearts (perhaps today more than ever) recognize a humble Kinga King who doesnt bring victory like that, who exercises his courage in facing suffering?A King who exercises his power in service and sacrifice, a King who turns the power structures of his world upside down. Can our hearts recognize a King like that? Because when we look at leaders in our world, that might be very different. When we look at what we feel we need to set our lives right, can we recognize a humble King? Secondly, will our hearts praise the glorious King?Can we really see in Jesus the return of Gods presence this Emmanuel, God with us coming to set things right on a cross and then in an empty tomb? And will we praise him? Will we move from assent to Yes, I see the evidence, to Yes, I will follow you, to I praise you you are wonderful, I love you? Or will we simply allow creation to do that for us when Jesus returns? Because his kingship is cosmic; it encompasses the entire creation, and the creation will recognize him and respond. But will we do it now? And finally, have our hearts received the One whose heart breaks for us?When we think of Jesus and the events of that first Holy Week, do we see this as just a person in history, or do we allow this One who loves his people so much that he would sob for them (not for himself, for them) into our lives? Have our hearts received this One? And do they break for those who have not? In our day and age, its quite easy to keep church to a Sunday and to keep our beliefs to ourselves. I dont mean its easy because we want to, but we just feel that wed make fewer enemies and smaller waves if we dont talk about it. But we must know that Jesus looks at the entire worldanybody who has not yet been able to come to that point of saying Yes, I receive himnot with judgment, but with weeping compassion. It is good for people to know him. It is the thing that will help them flourish and live. And that is why Jesus wept over Jerusalem: because bad things that they would have to handle themselves, without any courage and without any presence of God, were coming. And so he calls us to have that same softness of heart that radical grief for those who do not yet know him, but also the confidence that if he did everything in his power then, he is doing everything now. Today is still the day of his weeping compassion, not his warrior white horse. Today is the day to see him as the humble Lord, the glorious King, and the weeping Savior. Amen.

Rev. Leili Shirmast unpacks the story of blind Bartimaeus in Luke 18:3543, inviting us to reflect on Jesus question: What do you want Me to do for you? Through this final miracle before the cross, were challenged to consider our own spiritual blindness and cry out in faith to the One who still hears and responds. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Our Bible reading today comes from Luke chapter 18, verses 3543 (that's on page 163 of one of the red Bibles, if you have one of those): Luke 18:3543As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. He called out, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me!Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to Him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, What do you want me to do for you?Lord, I want to see, he replied.Jesus said to him, Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. This is the word of the Lord. Good morning. Have you ever wondered what it's like to be blind? When one of our five senses is lost, the others often become stronger. For those without sight, the world is not empty; it's full of sound, touch, and imagination. They experience the world in a different way by sensing the heat of the sun, hearing the rustling of leaves, and identifying objects by touch. But blindness also brings challenges. Reading, recognizing faces, completing everyday tasks, or moving through a busy street requires adaptation and creativity. One inspiring example is Helen Keller, a blind and deaf author and speaker. She once said, The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touchedthey must be felt with the heart. Despite being deaf and blind, Helen learned to read, write, and speak, and became a powerful advocate for the blind. A few years ago, we helped a blind lady stay at our place for a few days while she took care of some government-related tasks before returning to her city. When she arrived, we showed her around the house and helped her navigate the space. After she left, I tried to put myself in her position to understand her experience. I closed my eyes and attempted to move around different areas of my house and do normal daily activities. It was incredibly difficult and stressful. After just two minutes, I had to stop and couldn't continue. Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus In today's miracle story, we see a blind man sitting by the roadside begging. This is the last recorded miracle of Jesus in Luke's Gospel, before He goes to Jerusalem and is crucified. In this moment, He restores the sight of a blind man. We don't know for certain whether this man was blind from birth or if he lost his sight later in life. What we do know is that the only thing he could see was darkness. When we face sickness or struggle in life, many of us hold on to the hope of healing. Perhaps this blind man also carried that same hope. Luke does not mention his name in his Gospel, but in Mark 10 we learn that his name was Bartimaeus. In the first century, being blind was often seen as a punishment from God for a person's sin. Because of his blindness, Bartimaeus had no way to earn a living and was forced to beg on the roadside to survive. There were no schools for the blind, no job opportunities, and no government support system like we have today. He couldn't take care of himself independently and had to rely entirely on the generosity of others for food, shelter, and daily needs. Bartimaeus blindness was only physical, and Jesus taught that there are two types of blindness: physical and spiritual: Physical blindness the loss of sight, making it hard to navigate the world. Spiritual blindness the inability to see the truth of God. People may hear His words but fail to understand them. When we are spiritually blind, we can't navigate our way in God's world or find our way into His Kingdom. In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, we see both types of blindness addressed. Isaiah prophesied that God would open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf: Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Isaiah speaks of the coming of God's Kingdom and the Messiah, declaring that when His Kingdom comes, the blind will see and the deaf will hear. There will be physical healing because the Messiah is ushering in God's restoration for humankind. But in Isaiah 42, we see that the Messiah also comes to address the spiritual blindness and deafness of Israel. After explaining more about the Messiah's mission, God then rebukes Israel for their spiritual insensitivity. Though they have witnessed His works and heard His words, they fail to truly see and understand. They don't pay attention; they don't listen. It is as though they are blind and deaf. The Old Testament prophecy that the coming of the Messiah would be a time of physical and spiritual healing for blind eyes and deaf ears is fulfilled in the miracle of Bartimaeus. When the blind Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging, he heard people passing by and got curious. He asked what was happening, and they told him, Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. Bartimaeus, without any hesitation or second thought, called out, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! This is interesting, isn't it? The crowd identified Jesus as Jesus of Nazareth, but Bartimaeus called Him Son of David. In 2 Samuel and Isaiah, we see that the Messiah would come from the lineage of David and establish an everlasting kingdom. Bartimaeus was physically blind, but he recognized Jesus as the Son of Davidthe promised Messiah, the Savior, and the one who has the power to heal. Bartimaeuss cry was a prayer; it came from a place of faith. It recognized who Jesus was, and it humbly yet boldly asked for His mercy. Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me! People tried to silence him, but he didn't give up or listen to them. Even though he could not see Jesus' miracles with his own eyes, he had heard about them and believed. He trusted that Jesus, the Son of David, could restore his sight. Meanwhile, the disciples who had witnessed Jesus' miracles still struggled to fully understand who He was. Bartimaeus, though blind, saw Jesus for who He truly was. Another of Helen Keller's famous quotes is: The only thing worse than being blind is having sight, but no vision. Bartimaeus was blind, but he had the spiritual vision to recognize the Messiah. There may be moments in our faith journey when we face obstaclesthings that try to stop us from believing, trusting, praying, calling out to God, or obeying God. But like Bartimaeus, we should not be discouraged. Instead, we should cry out even more. The Bible tells us to pray and not to give up. So Bartimaeus cried out louder, and Jesus heard him and stopped. He ordered the man to be brought to Him. Then Jesus asked him, What do you want me to do for you? Jesus Question: What Do You Want Me to Do for You? What do you want Me to do for you? What do you want Me to do for you? We are in a series on the questions Jesus asks, and here is perhaps the most powerful one: What do you want Me to do for you? What is your real need? What are you seeking that only God can provide? Imagine Jesus is passing by Deep Creek today. Would you cry out for His help? And if He asks you, What do you want Me to do for you? what would your response be? Last week, after our Saturday service at the cathedral, a young Australian man came to me and asked for prayer. When I asked how I could pray for him, he said, I want to know God more. I want to know who I am and learn to trust the Lord more. How would you answer Jesus question? Maybe you would ask for: physical healing spiritual renewal freedom from addiction the ability to see not just with your eyes, but with your heart Perhaps you might need: restoration God's mercy wisdom a deeper understanding of who God truly is, and who you are in Him Or maybe you're in a season where it's difficult to ask God for anything at all. Bartimaeus could have asked Jesus for many things. He could have had a long list, but instead he asked for one thing God's merciful healing. Jesus heard Bartimaeus and stopped for him, meeting his need. Bartimaeus didn't hesitate; he didn't worry about being an inconvenience. He didn't second guess what Jesus was asking him. Bartimaeus went straight to the center of his need and urgently came to Jesus with that need. If we want to receive from God, we must ask. We must act with urgency, calling out to Him and being ready to respond. We should not be discouraged when we cry out with faith, He will be merciful to us just as He was merciful to Bartimaeus. Jesus paused His journey to respond to Bartimaeus. He is not distant or too busy; He is actively listening and responding when we call out to Him. Do you believe that Jesus stops for us today? Do you believe He hears our cries, meets our needs, and is able to give us hope? When I ask myself these questions, especially during seasons of struggle or when I find myself wondering "Why me?", I remember the times in the past when I cried out to God and how He faithfully responded. Reflecting on those moments of God's faithfulness encourages me to believe that He hears me even now, and that He is at work in my life. Conclusion: Call Out to Jesus in Faith In the last couple of weeks, as we've gone through Luke's Gospel, we have focused on how Jesus' questions can bring hope into our lives. As we conclude this series and prepare for Palm Sunday next week (followed by the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus), let's hear Jesus ask this final question again: What do you want Me to do for you? This question invites us to have faith in Him and to cry out to Him. Today is the day we have to call on God and ask for His help. We never know if we have tomorrow, so we shouldn't waste time or lose hope. He is the only one who can heal our blindness and give us new sight. He is near, so let us call out to Him. Why not come into this Easter seeking to answer this question from the depths of who we are? To do this, we need to use Easter as a time to reflect on: who Jesus is what His cross and resurrection promise us what they might say about who we are how He sees us what we truly need Only then can we fully answer His question. No matter what we face, the cross stands as a powerful sign that brings light to our darkness. Jesus invites us to follow Him to the cross and the resurrection, knowing that He is with us and can bring true hope. He calls us to worship Him and to invite others to do the same. As we prepare to celebrate Easter in two weeks, we ask ourselves: What do we want Jesus to do for us? Let us fix our hearts on the cross and reflect on how it brings us hope. The sacrifice of Jesus reminds us of His deep love, and His resurrection assures us that hope is never lost. Let's take this moment to come before God in prayer and cry out to Him together. (With the band, let us pray together.) Closing Prayer Lord Jesus, with all our hearts we believe that You are here today. You are passing by and You are near. You hear our cries, and You see our needs. With this confidence, we come before You, laying down our burdens, our desires, and our deepest longings. Lord, help us to examine our hearts. What do we need today? Do we need eyes to see You for who You really are? Do we need to know our identity as Your beloved children? Do we need hope hope for transformation, renewal, and healing? Jesus, we cry out to You. We don't want to waste time. We don't want to miss this moment. Come and meet us, Lord; come and meet us in our place of need. We need You. We need You to hear our prayers. We need Your healing touch physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We need freedom from anything that keeps us distant from You and Your love. Lord, restore us. Heal our broken relationships with You, with our spouses, our children, our families, and our friends. Teach us patience, and help us trust in Your perfect timing. Open our eyes so we can clearly see the path You have prepared for us. Lord, we want to see You not just with our physical eyes, but with the eyes of our hearts. We want to behold Your glory; we want to know You more deeply and walk in Your truth. Come, Lord Jesus. Stop for us; turn Your face toward us and meet us right now. We surrender everything into Your hands. Come and meet us, Lord. Amen.

Bridget Penington explores what it means to be good enough for God in this powerful sermon on Luke 18:1830. Hear how Jesus challenges a rich rulerand usto let go of what we cling to and follow him. A message about surrender, grace, and the God who makes the impossible possible. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Good morning. This morning's reading comes from Luke chapter 18, verses 1830 (and if you have your Bibles handy, it's on page 1630). A certain ruler asked him, Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; Honor your father and mother.All these I have kept since I was a boy, he said.When Jesus heard this, he said to him, You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.Jesus looked at him and said, How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.Those who heard this asked, Who then can be saved?Jesus replied, What is impossible with man is possible with God.Peter said to him, We have left all we had to follow you!Truly I tell you, Jesus said to them, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of Godwill fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life. This is the word of the Lord. Are you a good person? Are you good enough? Am I a good person? Am I good enough? It's a bit mean of me to ask you thatyou just met me, and it's not an easy question. It's also a really subjective question. I meet people who are plagued with self-doubt, who don't really like themselves. People for whom "Are you a good person?" is immediately uncomfortable. "Are you good enough?"something they're already carrying as a weight, a worry, a burden. But I also meet people who are self-assured, sometimes proud. People for whom "Are you a good person?" is a no-brainer. Obviously. Yes. At least better than that guy. "Are you good enough?" "Well, actually, I'm pretty great, thanks for asking." Those answers tell us something, but they're not reliable; they can be really detached from reality. Those two people might live very similar lives. Is one really better than the other? Are they both good people, or neither? And what about me? Am I a good person? And am I a good judge of that? We're in a series that invites us to hear the questions that Jesus asks, to bring our own questions, and to be open to unexpected answers. In our passage today, Jesus takes a question and he gives an unexpected answer. He challenges assumptions about who is good. He challenges assumptions about who is good enough for God, for heaven, for eternal life. This passage helps us to answer this question of "good enough." Well, maybe to let it go. The Rich Ruler's Question From verse 18: A certain ruler asked Jesus, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus' initial response is a bit of a shutdown. He says, Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. Oh... I guess, sorry. That's not really how that interaction is meant to go. I say, "Good teacher, let me ask you a question." You say, "Good ruler, how can I help you?" People don't say, "What are you calling me good for?" Jesus here is breaking social norms, and he's doing it because he's challenging assumptions. In this chapter so far, Jesus has been challenging assumptions about who is goodwho does God approve of? Who can enter the kingdom of God? Earlier, Jesus told a parable about a confident, self-exalting Pharisee and a humble, sinful tax collector each praying in the temple. And Luke tells us who that parable is for (chapter 18, verse 9): to some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parablea parable that challenged their assumptions about who was approved by God, who is good. Next, Luke tells us about Jesus calling the little children to come to him, and he says (verse 17), "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Jesus is challenging assumptions about who can approach, who can enter the kingdom of God. And this ruler has been listening, and he comes forward with his own question. What about me? What must I do to inherit eternal life? I'm not a tax collector. I'm not a baby. What about me? Does God think I'm good? Good enough for eternal life? Jesus' answer is immediately unexpected, breaking the social norms. He doesn't reply by calling the ruler good. He won't even accept the title "good" for himself. This isn't going to be a comforting encounter where Jesus says, "Dear sir, you're good enough already. Don't change a thing." No, this is going to be a challenge. Jesus says, "no one is good but God alone." And it's not because Jesus isn't good, or from some sense of humility or false humility. It's not that Jesus can't take a compliment. He didn't just get 100% on a test and then say, "Oh, how embarrassing, I didn't even study." Jesus' response"No one is good except God alone"hints at the bigger question. It points to God, and it points to an uncomfortable truth: You will not be good enough to inherit eternal life. Inheritance is a big deal, and it's not the most comfortable thing to talk aboutmoney and death, kind of the two most uncomfortable topics in one. There was a Thai movie recently, a movie that decided to tackle this topic of inheritance: How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. It's a story about a young uni dropout who decides that his best prospect is to ingratiate himself with his elderly grandmotherto look after her, to gain favor with herin the hopes of getting on the will, to inherit her wealth when she dies. Some weird kind of get-rich-quick scheme, I suppose. But can you earn an inheritance? Can you buy a spot on the will? And how many little errands for Grandma would it cost? How many cups of tea? (Well, my grandma's Scottish, so it's drams of whisky. I used to live with herwe had whisky at 5:00 on a Sunday.) Our ruler wants to earn a spot on the will, to secure an inheritance from Godan inheritance of eternal life. And he sees that Jesus might be able to offer him the assurance that he's craving. Jesus might be able to tell him what to do, or tell him that he's good, he's in. So he finds the courage and he brings his question. And apart from the awkward start, the rest of the conversation seems to be going his way. Jesus says, "You know the commandments," and then he lists five of the Ten Commandments. It's hard to say why he chooses these five, but I suspect it's to elicit the next response. The traditional summary of the law is "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength," and the ruler might have hesitated to claim that he'd done that. Even "You shall not covet" might be hard to say "I've always kept that." But "You shall not murder. You shall not steal."a bit more achievable, and the ruler has achieved them. "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he says. Sell Everything and Follow Me Jesus doesn't argue that point, but he asks for one more thing: Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. This is a massive call. Sell everything you have and give it to the poor. Give up everything. Everything. Sell everything and walk away with nothing. And then come, follow me. What an unbelievably unreasonable demand! Who would ask that? I get embarrassed even asking for small favorsI hate to be an inconvenience. And Jesus says unflinchingly, give up everything, give it to the poor, and follow me. Sometimes, as Christians, we're tempted to try and make our faith more palatable for people. We want to lower the barrier to entry, and Jesus does lower the barrier to entryhe smashes it to a million pieces. But he doesn't make things palatable or shy away from asking too much. He's not afraid to be an inconvenience. Jesus doesn't shy away from asking for sacrifice, for real repentancethat turning away from everything else. He doesn't say it's easy to be a Christian. He doesn't say, "You don't need to change the way you live. You don't need to give up your other beliefs, your views on money, your beliefs about sex, your superstitions, your prejudices or grudges." Jesus sees into people's hearts, and then he calls for radical sacrifice. We don't need to be ashamed of the cost of being a Christian to make Jesus seem more attractive. It's actually when we're willing to show how much we would give uphow much we have given up and changedthat we show how attractive Jesus is. Why would you give up money for that? Why would you give up time for that? Why would you give up Sunday morning? Why would you give up your chance at love? That one might sound a bit dramatic, but Christians are often called to walk away from romantic prospects to follow Jesus. An Indian friend of mine really felt this. Her parents were seeking to arrange a marriage for hershe really wanted thatbut she refused to marry someone who wasn't a true believer. It was hard for them to understand. That was a costly choice. It felt like she was giving up her chance at love to follow Jesus. There'll be people here who have made similar costly choices. The ruler in this passage is called to give up his moneyand with it his status, his comfort, his security, his honorto follow Jesus. And he gets to choose. Which does he want? When Jesus said to him, "You still lack one thing... sell everything you have and give to the poor... then come, follow me," the ruler heard this and became very sad, because he was very wealthy. He decides it's not worth it. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Who Then Can Be Saved? And those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" I think everything feels easier once you've seen someone else do it first, right? That's how we know that something's doable, even possible. Some of my friends love cooking videos on the internet, and there's a million of these videos and TikToks with home cooks making amazing restaurant dishes. And there's another million of viral food hacks. And when you watch these videos, you think, "I could do that. That doesn't look so hard. If he can do it, I can probably do it too." But now there's also a million of these anti-food-hack videostesting and debunking them. And if you watch a video of a professional chef and even they can't recreate that supposedly effortless dessert or the perfect steak with just an airfryer and an egg carton or whatever it is... if they can't do it, I can safely assume I won't be able to either. If he can't do it, I have no chance. And the crowd who are listening to Jesus in the real world are struck by this same thought: if even he (this rich, respectable ruler) can't enter the kingdom of God, I have no chance. If it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needleif it's easier for a ute to go through the hole in my watch strap, if it's easier for a tram to go through the teeth of a lice comb (it's not a picture of something that's unlikely; this is something that is impossible!)if it's completely impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, then who can possibly be saved? You see, the crowd are coming from a different worldview than we are. In Australia, we can have a pretty negative view of wealthy peoplewe don't like a tall poppy; we're quick to cut them down. We think the rich are rich because of luck. Sometimes we judge them: they probably stepped on the little guy on their way up the corporate ladder, anyway. But the people who are listening to Jesus have a different default perspective. They are immersed in a culture, in a worldview, where wealth is a blessing from God. The rich are rich not because of luck or greed, but because God has blessed them. And especially this guy: this guy is wealthy, he's powerful, and he's law-abidinghe's obeyed God's law since he was a boy. If he can't enter the kingdom of God, who can possibly be saved? And Jesus says, good question. You are right to ask it. You're right to call it impossibleexcept God does the impossible. Verse 27: What is impossible with man is possible with God. For any of us, for all of us. The uncomfortable truth is, it is impossible by our own efforts to enter the kingdom of God. We are actually so far from being good enough. The Bible uses the image of being slaves to sin. Jesus says in John 8, everyone who sins is a slave to sinwe're ruled by it, controlled by it, unable on our own to escape from it. The Bible also uses the image of being dead in sin (Ephesians 2: "you were dead in your transgressions and sins"). It is impossible for someone who is dead to make themselves alive again. It is impossible for someone who is dead to do anything except stay dead. And this is our experience of trying to be better without God. We can try, but it's not very effective. We can try to do the right thing, but it is hard to keep making good choices. We can try to forgive ourselves and stop feeling guilty, but guilt is hard to shake. We can try to win God's approval by getting to "good enough," but that's not actually what he wants of us. Because God sees us as we areslaves who are unable to get free, dead who are unable to get back to life. He sees us and he loves us, and he works the impossible. Ephesians 2: Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. Who then can be saved? No one by their own efforts. But because of God's great love for usbecause of Jesusyou and me. It Will Be Worth It The disciples have one more question. "What about us?" It's the question of the day: what about me? What must I do to inherit eternal life? What about us? "We have left everything to follow you." (Verse 28, Peter says to Jesus, We have left everything to follow you.) It almost sounds like a boast, but Jesus sees the question behind itthe anxiety. Actually, we have left everything behind. Will it be worth it? Jesus answers yes. Verse 29: "Truly I tell you, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, will fail to receive many times as much in this age and in the age to come. Eternal life." Jesus says it will be worth it. There are costs to being a disciple of Jesus. You may have given up a relationship to follow Jesus. You may have given up a home. You may have been passed over for a promotionand you wonder if it's because people know that you're a Christian and that's a black mark against your name. Or maybe you left a job because you couldn't square it with your Christian ethics, or you heard God's call to something else. You may have someone in your life who doesn't take your phone calls anymore, or things are awkward or strained. I have relationships that are strained by me being a Christian and especially a Christian in ministry. You may have paid a high price to follow Jesus. God sees that sacrifice. Jesus promises it will be worth it. "No one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or children or parents for the sake of the kingdom of God, will fail to receive many times as much in this age and in the age to come. Eternal life." Our Lord promises that he will fill up again what we have poured out. Maybe not literally many more wives or homes (I should think one at a time is enough!), but in his timing, in this age or in the age to come, he will provide. And we can take our part in fulfilling this promise. Our God is one who provides daily, and he provides through his people. Can you be a sister to someone who lost a sister? Can you be a father to someone who lost a father, young or old? Can you give a home to someone who left a home? Can you give honor to someone whose family gave them shame because they chose to follow Jesus? God will honor them in the age to come. This passage has two responses to the question "Is it worth it?" The ruler decides no. But Jesus says yes. Even so, "sell everything you have and give it to the poor" is a radical expectation. And the elephant in the room is that we don't ask people to do that when they become Christians. Do you have to sell all your possessions to follow Jesus? I can't answer that for you. Jesus actually does call us to give up everything. He says that in Luke 14:33to take up our cross (Luke 9). That's a call to follow Jesus, even to death (there's no money in death). But he doesn't command every person to sell all they have and give it to the poor. This is a response to the heart of this man. And I can't see your heart. I can't see into it to see where money sits in it. I can't tell you if money or status is an idol in your heart that's keeping you from following Jesus. I can warn you of the gravitational pull of wealth that draws us away from God's way. I can warn you of the impossibility of serving two mastersof loving God and loving money. I can ask you: if you stood in the ruler's shoes, would you walk away sad? Luke himself affirms the place of generous and wealthy Christians in God's mission. He tells us of wealthy women who were helping support Jesus and the disciples out of their own means, and of others who opened their homes to host gatherings and visitors. Not every person is called to sell everything and give it to the poor. But every person is called to count the cost. The cost of following Jesus. I have had to count the cost at different timesto relationships, to career and the stability that comes with it. I have found it to be worth it. But you will have to count the cost for you. You will have to decide if it's worth it. Conclusion Friends, I wonder if there's a question that you're holding on to, that you keep asking, that you find yourself carrying. There might be a cost that you've paid where you still wonder, Was it worth it? and worry, Was it not? It might be that you keep asking, "Am I a good person?" and worry, "Am I enough?" It might be something else. And there are questions that we will never have the answer to in this life. But Jesus does invite us to bring our questions to him, to listen to his answers. He invites us not to be burdened by the same question again and again, not to hold on to them and be weighed down. He invites us to trust him and let go, to look to Jesus and know he is worth it. He is enough, not me.

Heidi Stacey invites us to reflect on one of the most important questions Jesus ever asked: Who do you say I am? Drawing from Luke 9, Heidi explores how Jesus uses questions to lead us into deeper truth, personal revelation, and daily commitment. Whether youre feeling bold or uncertain in your faith, this sermon offers both comfort and a powerful call to respond. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Scripture Reading Luke 9:1827This mornings Bible reading is in the book of Luke, chapter 9, verses 18 to 27. (If youve got the red Bible, thats on page 1611.) Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, Who do the crowds say I am?They replied, Some say John the Baptist. Others say Elijah, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am?Peter answered, Gods Messiah.Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God. This is the Word of God. Introduction: The Power of a Question Good morning everyone. Im just going to get myself set up here. My name is Heidi. I have met many of you, but not all of you. It is a goal of mine to make sure I meet everyone by the end of the year. Consider myself challenged! Those in our growth group will know that it is something we are working towards at the moment, challenging ourselves to be like the church. This morning I thought Id start with just a quick question to get the juices flowing and get you thinking a little bit. How has your morning been? If you had to pick one moment that has happened this morning, how would you describe it? What is it about this moment that has stayed in your mind? If I asked you to turn to the person next to you and describe your morning, how would you tell your story? How would you engage me in that conversation? What kind of things would stand out? Now that youre thinking about that very rhetorical question, I wonder how it would feel, as a contrast, if I restarted this entire soliloquy and said: Good morning. Im sure you can agree with me mornings, am I right? I dont know about you, but mine has been chaos. Everyone cannot regulate themselves at the same time for longer than a few minutes. Wow. Mondays are needed in our house. Its quite a divisive statement, and I certainly hope its not true for the majority of us here! But what I have done in that example is taken an experience and worded it as fact. Ive created a demand that you agree with me in my statement. Ive left no room for personal reflection. I have spoken to the group as a whole and for the group as a whole as well. This is why its important that were doing the sermon series on Questions in Luke. Questions are a way of engaging our minds, engaging each other, engaging the group. We also have an opportunity to answer those questions as well. And in doing all of that, we start to see that Jesus used this as a teaching style for his disciples giving them time to reflect, time to respond, and asking engaging questions that ultimately led to personal revelation for them. Setting the Scene As with all things, we have a snapshot of Scripture in time. So lets go back and set the scene together: what was happening before this conversation occurred? The disciples have been appointed. They have been chosen by Jesus. They are taught by him. They are encouraged by him. And then he is sending them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. After their time out, he brings them back in together for a time of renewal and refreshment, which is interrupted by the crowds who are hungry and the miracle of feeding the 5,000 occurs. When they are sent back out again, they are working, and then they are called back in again to have a time of infilling, refreshing, retreating, and replenishing in a quiet space. I feel like in this in and out rhythm, we see some very subtle teaching that isnt written down, but we observe it as a demonstration of how filling up our cup is needed before pouring out again. And as this demonstrates, it doesnt always work perfectly. There isnt always the perfect infilling before the outpouring. In this particular passage, we have the disciples starting the prayer process before being interrupted by the crowds needing to be fed. (Every parent can relate that sometimes people need to be fed, and are interrupted!) I also want to draw particular attention to what else is happening in this moment: when the disciples are together and praying and spending time, Jesus himself takes that one step further a more private moment of prayer with his Father. The disciples are present, but theyre not participating in it. I think its important to see that sometimes things are not just for the group. Doing things as a whole isnt the only thing necessary in our walk with Jesus; sometimes we do need to take it that one step further into that private moment of prayer with the Father. This context introduces us to verse 18, with Jesus asking the disciples, Who do the crowds say I am? Who Do the Crowds Say I Am? Jesus asked his disciples, Who do the crowds say I am? And they replied together, as a group a broad, collected response from the people they had been talking to and ministering with. They say things like Elijah, John the Baptist, or a prophet. They are literally answering the question, Who do the crowds say I am? Do we think that Jesus is asking this question to seek knowledge? Or do we see that he is asking the question to reveal truth? The Wquestions are always popular: Who, what, where, why? Theyre engaging; they steer the conversation. Hes leading them towards some personal reflection. But in this moment, we know that Jesus actually didnt need the answer for personal affirmation He knew who He was. Matthew 3:1617 gives us that confirmation: As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. And thats confirmation for us of Jesus identity. Who do the crowds say I am? Jesus asks this not because he needs validation, but to prompt his disciples thinking. With this broad, crowd-level perspective in mind, Jesus now moves on to a more refining question. But what about you? Who do you say I am? There are no wrong answers. Jesus is not looking to be defensive or offended. What he is doing is starting to illuminate evidence that the disciples have seen for themselves, through a approach we might call Narrative Questioning. Id like to expand a little bit on what the subtext of this looks like. I imagine the disciples to be quite a chatty bunch, but what were seeing recorded here are just really short sentences summarizing their answers. The subtext behind Jesus asking Who do you say I am? might have been questions like: When did you first notice something different? What evidence supports this belief that you have? How did you feel about that? This example of taking one question and stepping it further and further is something that we have been doing in our growth group over the last couple of months. Weve been looking at what the church looks like in Acts so, big broad picture: What do we see revealed in Scripture? Then take it a step down: How does that apply to our church? And another step down: How does that apply to us as individuals within the church? Weve spent a good amount of time debating and engaging in conversation to wrestle with what this looks like for ourselves and in the context of church as well. In Jesus asking, Who do you say I am? there is an opportunity for the disciples to define things more clearly for themselves. Theyre verbalizing what they believe. When we say things out loud, it often creates an opportunity to articulate things differently, to have ideas formed more solidly. We saw that demonstrated with the baptism and confirmation service a couple of weeks ago, where we had public confessions public declarations of faith by the candidates. These were opportunities to put pieces together, to offer verbal testimony, and to confess Christ crucified. Now, while the candidates know who they are in Christ (and we know who they are in Christ), verbalizing it is an encouragement to us and it solidifies things in their own minds as well. And this is exactly what we have Peter doing here. Peter was the spokesperson for the group, and he says, You are the Messiah. Sometimes we do need an opportunity for personal reflection like this. Do we recognize who Jesus is to us? He is an individual sacrifice for each and every one of us at the one time. For each of us, He died on the cross for all of our sins but as an individual, we are called to accept it as our own. I call it not a pick-and-choose Jesus. (I was going to have a slide here of a Mr. Potato Head toy, but I thought it would ruin the vibe!) The point of using a Mr. Potato Head is that you can change out the eyes and the arms and the mouth and so on. In our current culture of customizing everything, I felt it was prudent to mention that not all things are customizable. Accepting that Jesus died for your sins gives us the hope of eternal life that is not customizable. What is unique is your relationship with him the way that he speaks with you, the type of prayer that you engage in with him. Not any of us engage in prayer in the same way as another. At different times in our lives and in our walk with him, he will reveal Scripture differently to each of us. The truth remains the same, but the uniqueness is where the joy is. We are created in his image, each uniquely able to enjoy a relationship with him. In this, we have been given an individual opportunity to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, to confess Christ crucified, and to look for his coming in glory. Jesus Predicts His Death (Luke 9:2122) So the next section in Luke chapter 9 starts at verse 21. (Again, a little bit of subtext.) This was an amazing revelation that Peter had one line: Peter answered, Gods Messiah. Those four words close out that scene, and then Jesus pivots a little bit. He strictly warns them not to tell this to anyone, because it really was not the time for public revelation as they were moving towards the cross. The whole point of the salvation work of Jesus and the demonstration of him as the Messiah was that it was not yet time for a public proclamation of what was happening. They did not yet have the Holy Spirit to give power to their testimony. But they also and hear me out they also would have messed with Gods ordained plan, the order of events. (Now, nothing can derail the plans of God!) My point in mentioning this is that although nothing happens without Gods knowledge, this command had a purpose like all commands do. In the disciples honoring of this command deciding not to tell anyone, as they were asked they then began to see the outworking of Gods plan unfold. What they saw and realized was the strengthening of their faith. What they received was the Holy Spirit. And what they ultimately created was the building of the early church. There was a reason why they were asked to do what they were asked to do, and sometimes we are fortunate enough in this lifetime to see the outworking of commands like that. Verse 22 continues: The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life again. Here is the confirmation of why they needed to be quiet for now Jesus adds that hell be raised again in three days, to confirm and align with Old Testament prophecies. But it also begins to give a realistic understanding of what he was going to endure. This is not the messianic triumph and splendor they expected; it is a very progressive and slow revelation of his coming death. The disciples were slowly able to grasp and understand these little bits and put them together these things that were previously only alluded to are now actually being spoken of. It begins to redefine their expectations: who they thought Jesus was, who he was becoming to them, versus who he always knew he was the Messiah. I wonder, has there been a time when your expectations were redefined by Jesus? He has always known you to be his child do you see that in yourself? Do you recall a time where things looked a little different, when you thought one way and God revealed Himself to you in a different way? Personal revelation. The Cost of Discipleship (Luke 9:2325) Verse 23 continues: Then he said to them all, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. So weve had the personal reflection in a small group; weve had the time of prayer together. Now Jesus is saying this to everyone a big teachable moment to the crowds. This is not a condemnation to carry a literal cross (although in biblical times this would have been a very shocking statement, because only criminals and people literally heading towards execution carried their crosses on their backs as they went to their sentence). In this context, its a call to commitment, where the outcome of eternal life with Jesus Christ is assured. But we have a time between now and then, and that time can be very hard. The taking up of your cross is a call to committing to Jesus daily and this word daily means throughout the day, regularly, multiple times a day. When we commit to Jesus, we have what we like to call a soul at peace, eternally focused. However, we remain in the bodies here on earth, and it is not always easy. It is not always restful, and it is not always comfortable. The disciples are demonstrating to us the reality of life. We have an infilling before outpouring to others, and then we try to replenish again but we dont always quite get there before outpouring again. But now, unlike the disciples in that moment, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit. And it is possible. We know there are challenges to face. Its not always what we want to do or how we want to do it. But we are able to be still and know that He is God. He is God of all of it, until we meet again our soul at peace, our body at rest with Him. Verse 24 carries on: Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. This verse really focuses on the cost here on earth although ultimately theres no cost at all when it comes to eternal life. The disciples are being presented with what was to come, and naturally they might start considering how they could prevent Jesus suffering. Because if you think of it from their perspective, they are hearing about his death and going, Well, no, thats no good were going to have to fix this problem. They didnt yet understand the outworking of Gods holy plan. It also unfortunately presents them with an opportunity to reflect on and prepare for their own deaths. If this was how the Lord was going to die, what would that look like for them? Verse 25 continues: What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Surrendering to Jesus is not passive. Its active. And as we said, it is daily an exercise in obedience. Our identity can be passive. I am a daughter (and Ill take a moment to shout out to my mom and dad watching online!). I am called a wife by Adrian in Kids Min today (fortunately, because were actually married!). The identity that I have in Christ is not self-defined; it is not given by the world. We receive it through accepting His sacrifice. We receive it and accept it. For a bit of an analogy: self-defining your identity is like shopping for new clothes choosing the next thing that seems nice, that fits well, maybe is on trend (doesnt have to be). But youre still choosing it as your own; youre still choosing it as your own identity. Or potentially its something that someone has declared over you: You are this. We dont take up these self-made identities as our cross they are far too heavy, too hard to live up to. Being a good person or a genuine friend wont get us into heaven. Releasing our self-identities letting go of who we say we are to focus on who Christ says we are. You are a child of God. We acknowledge Jesus as our Savior and our Messiah. And while some of the facts about us that I mentioned (daughter, wife, etc.) stay true, they are not who God is calling us to be as our first priority. They are not who I am, and they should not be who I am. The cross that Jesus asks us to pick up daily is our commitment to Him. Not Ashamed of Christ (Luke 9:26) Verse 26 says: Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. This begs the question: what does it look like to be ashamed of Christ? The word ashamed is defined as a sense of embarrassment, but in a public context being worried about identifying yourself with something or someone such that when someone notices, they might say, Why would you align yourself with that person? Its a very personal word. In the particular societal values of honor and shame in biblical times, this (ashamed) was the opposite of honor; this was shame. Early Christians were often marginalized and persecuted for their beliefs, so here Jesus is encouraging them to stand firm despite societal pressures. So thats biblical times we start to understand what it looked like and why it mattered then. But what does it look like in a modern context? What does it look like to be brave and to call yourself a Christian today? How do you describe your weekend when somebody asks, How was your weekend? Did you get up to anything different yesterday? And while regularly coming to church is no longer considered unusual (given that you do it most weeks), it can still be nerve-wracking to mention it. By way of analogy, I tested this out in my own life this week. At work we dont talk face-to-face much; we tippy-type on the chats which if you ask me is worse, because its there in writing. Conversations come and go, but typed words stay forever. And so, last Monday morning at 7:15, when my colleague said, Hey, whatd you get up to this weekend? I thought, Oh, God does not work in mysterious ways; He works in very obvious ways sometimes! And I decided you know what thats it, Im going to be brave. Im not always brave, but I am going to be brave this time. I did what I described to my growth group as the sandwich. So I replied: my in-laws went to visit, we went to church and saw some friends, sandwiched in there. (Take from that what you will.) And of course, my delightful colleague who is very new to the company (we have not known each other very long at all) said, Oh, church! Which one do you go to and how long have you been there? And I thought, oh well, cant hurt, right? So I told her. I mentioned I was playing piano at church last week because it was my turn. And she said, Oh, thats so good. Ive been church hopping. (Now I know, of course.) And she goes, Its really difficult at the moment because my husband and my children, they do not believe. In that moment, I really felt like God was giving me the opportunity to know how to pray for my colleague. Its not something that we are able to do all the time, but my hope is that for her, hearing that somebody else is a Christian at work and somebody a bit senior to her as well that she hopefully knows that I have her best interests at heart when doing the job that God has called me to do. God has given me the gift to be able to then, in my own prayer time, pray for her, for her relationship with her husband and her adult children. And as I typed out to her, You are an encouragement to them. You continue doing what youre doing because your faithfulness will be the thing that people see. And that, to me, is what commitment to Jesus daily looks like. For some people, it will look different. So what if youre not feeling brave? Is there hope for you? Boy, is there ever. (And I wrote down here: Absolutely.) Hope for the Fearful: Peters Example Peter and his growing maturity in faith as he learns and struggles is an example for all of us. And this is the best part of the Bible (we say that a bit tongue-in-cheek): theres something in there for all of us but there really is! As I mentioned earlier, Peter is the spokesperson for the group, voicing the realization and the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah. But if you read further, youll also see that Peter has a moment of being ashamed. When Jesus has been arrested and is on trial, in Matthew 26 we read about Peters denial. Verse 69 says: Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. You also were with Jesus of Galilee, she said. But he denied it before them all, I dont know what youre talking about. (Matthew 26:6970) And that can sometimes be really hard to read, because sometimes it is exactly what we have said out loud. But God, in His wisdom and mercy, calls us towards Himself. He reinstates Peter before Peter dies before the end of his life. John 21:16 says: Simon, son of John, do you love me? And he answered, Yes, Lord, you know I love you. Jesus said, Take care of my sheep. (John 21:16) And Peter became the builder of the early church. So we see that although we have the peaks and the troughs times of being brave and times of being ashamed God never leaves us, He never denies us. And He is always there with us. Our last verse of todays passage is verse 27, and it says: Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God. Here we see the reference to the last days the Son of Man coming in glory, eternal life and fulfillment and true hope. Now, all of the Gospels have the account that we looked at today, but Luke has a unique emphasis: he highlights that all people are able to be disciples of Jesus, and he specifically emphasizes the daily following of Jesus. An Invitation to Respond So in this series, were looking at questions. Were asking them. Were answering them. And (if you were here last week) I believe God gave me some very pointed wisdom to share with us: we can also avoid answering them if we really want to. You can continue to be self-defined, but God does not move. Sometimes Hes waiting right next to us. Sometimes Hes actively calling us to Himself. And so we ask: Are you brave enough to listen to pick up your cross of commitment daily, throughout the day and to follow Him into the gift of eternal life? In a moment, were heading into a time of singing and then communion, and Id love to invite you to respond to what the Lord is saying to you today. That can look however you want it to look. Im going to ask you some questions and ask you to visualize, either with your eyes open or closed (it doesnt matter). Take a moment to see Jesus standing in front of you. Is He calling you with what I know is a smile on His face? Is He telling you more about how He sees you? Ask Him how He sees you. You can declare to Him, I know I am Your child. What else is He saying? In our human minds, there is always a point at which we say yes to something when we feel that the benefit outweighs the cost. After evaluating the gift of eternal life, are you willing to take a step forward and place your trust in Him? When the gift outweighs the cost, what cost is there at all? Jesus approached people, but He also waited for them to come to Him. Is Jesus waiting for you today to recognize Him in a deeper way? Id love you to use this next time of worship as an opportunity to reflect on some of the things that God has been saying to you today. Further to that, as we take up communion and as we look at the promises that are on the screen, my prayer for you today is that they would resonate powerfully and be an encouragement to you. That as you lean into Jesus, He was already there. And as you take up your cross for Him, the gift of eternal life is the very next step. Amen.

What do we do when life doesn't make senseeven when we've done everything right? In this sermon, Megan reflects on the powerful question John the Baptist asked from prison: Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? Through Jesus response, we explore what it means to find hope, not just in answers, but in the character and work of Christ. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Today's reading is from Luke chapter seven, verse 18 to 35. Jesus and John the Baptist. Scripture Reading: Luke 7:1835 John's disciples told him about all these things, calling two of them. He sent them to the Lord to ask, are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? When the men came to Jesus, they said, John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? At that very time, Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk. Those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. I tell you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves because they had not been baptized by John. Jesus went on to say, to what then can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: We played the pipe for you and you did not dance. We sang a dirge and you did not cry. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say he has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. But wisdom is proved right by all her children. This is the word of the Lord. Introduction Well, my name is Megan. If I haven't met you before. I'm the senior minister here at Deep Creek. If you were here last week, I wasn't, and so thank you to Lily and Pedram, for holding down the fortress, but particularly to Pedram for an excellent sermon that I had the opportunity to read during the week, starting our series on questions of hope. It's very powerful to have Jesus as someone who doesn't simply, download content to us, but who asks us questions who, as he interacted with people throughout his ministry, asked such powerful questions that people's hearts had to open to answer them. During the season of lent, the practice of asking questions of ourselves and hearing the questions that Jesus asks is really important. As we discern our way forward and as we reflect on whether we are in fact living the way that God wants us to live, asking questions about our life, about our soul, about what we love, about what we value is essential. And of course, if you find yourself in a hard place, feeling confused, feeling under pressure, or perhaps in the midst of suffering or injustice, questions can be powerful there too. But some of the questions that often come to mind in these hard times might not be the most powerful question we could ask. John the Baptists Question from Prison Sometimes we ask: why me? Is God punishing me? what am I supposed to be learning from this hard thing? who's to blame? Why is this happening? Well, today we meet a man who is in a very hard place. He's in jail, John the Baptist. And we read in Luke chapter three that he is in prison because he has been ministering for God. He's been speaking God's truth, encouraging people to ask very, very hard questions of their lives, of their spirit. And he did that to a leader. He spoke truth to power, as the saying goes. And that leader Herod threw him in prison. So Luke chapter three, when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. This was a great injustice. There was no reason for John to be in prison. And yet Herod added this to his list of many injustices. And so John the Baptist, in prison in this hard place, has a choice of the sort of question that he might ask. Will he ask, why me? Will he ask who's to blame? Will he ask, was it worth it? Will he ask who will get him out? Well, instead of any of those, he asks this question. Are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? Now, I know that the youth on Friday those ones on their devices, up on the couch were looking at Mark chapter two, and, they... (Yeah, I see everything!) they were looking at Mark chapter two, where friends helped a friend come to Jesus. So, someone is lowered through the roof, and the conclusion is friends can help friends find faith in Christ. Well here, the friends of John are doing the same. They can't get him out of prison to go and see Jesus, but they can help him with the question that might get him out of his dark place. So they take the question to Jesus. Are you Jesus, the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? Seems like a funny question for someone who'd been so set on Jesus being the Messiah to ask. John had been the one who had identified Jesus as the Lamb of God. In John's gospel, we see John the Baptist say, there he is, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. It could not be clearer. John says, this is the Messiah. John's Expectations of the Messiah Luke's Gospel, he describes the sort of work that he expects that Messiah to do. The people were waiting expectantly around John getting baptized, and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn. But he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. And with many other words, John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. John the Baptist was sure that he was the forerunner of the Messiah, preparing the people, because if they had not been given the opportunity to repent, the clear and swift immediate judgment being brought by the Messiah would take them unawares. And when the Messiah came, he would bring fire. He would be the one that was dividing the evil and the good. He would be the one who was making sure that those who were following the Lord were gathered together into the Lord's barn, and those who were not were destroyed. And so you can imagine, as John is a victim of injustice in prison, suffering greatly for this message, and hearing the reports of Jesus healing, eating and drinking and partying, including others, showing great mercy and compassion, he might have had a moment of dissonance. I'm in his suffering. The injustice that I am suffering is exactly the sort that the Messiah should be overturning. And yet Jesus is out there partying. Are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? Jesus Response to John Well, Jesus is not at all concerned to have John ask a question like that. It's not offensive to Jesus. He doesn't shut John down his friends. He doesn't send back, "He knows who I am. He should toughen up." No, there is commendation for questioning in this way. And Jesus provides evidence that yes, John, you were right. And the mission for which you have been jailed is worth it. You will find evidence in me for hope. And so he replies to the messengers, Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard. The blind receive sight. The lame walk. Those who have leprosy are cleansed. The deaf hear. The dead are raised. And the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. Jesus doesn't say a yes or no to the question, are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? But he points to the evidence of his character and his action. I might have shared this story before, but when I was asking many questions of the Lord about where I should do my first ministry placement, my first curacy, I sat with him in a church and was praying and asking for guidance. And and as I've said before, if you've heard it I did not receive clear guidance. I did not receive an answer to my question. But what I did receive was an assurance of the character and works of Jesus. So as I was praying in the church, I had a strong sense of Jesus himself coming from behind the communion table or altar and sitting next to me, that the answer to my question was actually in the character and work of Jesus, the companion, the one who would bring me to the table, the one who was the Savior through his own death and resurrection, and who would never leave me. When Jesus answers John the Baptist with this, he is encouraging John that the works that he is doing are the works of the Messiah, and the character that he is displaying is the character of the Messiah. And so he's actually quoting from these Old Testament passages that look forward to or describe the promised servant of the Lord Isaiah 35, Isaiah 29, Isaiah 61 and is showing that he is fulfilling exactly the mission statement that he gave when he went to the synagogue and said, see, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. This partying, this inclusion, these acts of mercy, actually are exactly the sorts of acts that John should have been expecting from the Messiah, as well as the works of justice. Jesus wants him to know that his works of mercy are indeed the Messiah's work, and that as he suffers injustice, the work that is happening outside that prison is the work of the one who he was preparing the people to receive. The Great Reversal in Jesus Ministry But interestingly, I also think he wants John to know that these works in some way are a work of justice. So I've been thinking about healings, and I was reading some articles about whether there's evidence of resuscitation from the dead in our world today someone who was investigating the claims in this passage, see, the dead are raised. And a lot of the evidence is from parts of the world that we would consider still developing the two thirds world, the global South, parts of the world that are far more marginalized and under the impact of poverty and war than our own. So, Craig Keener, who is a Bible scholar some of you might know he's married to an African woman, and her family are all involved in church life in Africa and she kind of got him in touch with a whole bunch of people who could testify to miracles of resuscitation from the dead. And he, thinking about the incredible kind of percentage of experience that happens there (maybe in the Philippines, in Indonesia, other places), but not always in his homeland of America, not always in our experience in Australia. Well, part of the reason for that is not simply that they are more open to spiritual things or they don't live in such a scientific worldview. Sometimes we can bring quite an inappropriate lens to looking at miracle accounts in the non-Western. But is it perhaps because Jesus' acts of healing, of mercy, of raising up, are in fact symbols of the great reversal that he is bringing and has brought into the world, that those who cannot heal themselves, that those who suffer great injustice actually, when they see miracles, it is because the Lord is showing that his task is to turn this broken, unjust world upside down. We have so many resources at our disposal now. That's not the only reason God does miracles, and we know that he does miracles amongst us. And that's not the only reason God does not do miracles. But I think that the teaching of Luke's gospel would be that Jesus, in everything that he does, turns the world upside down. That the great reversal, the lifting up of the lowly that Mary worshipped about in the Magnificat, is seen here in Jesus' works of mercy, healing, and restoration. Jesus' works of mercy ... are also works of justice, because they reverse the marginalization and the poverty of those who are under the big system of broken, unjust world. But he would say to John, absolutely question your way out of your hard place, but be prepared for surprises. Jesus Affirms John the Baptist And so Jesus now moves into two questions of his own. The first is, What did you go out into the wilderness to see? He's talking to the people around him. And then he asks, To what shall I compare this generation? After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes. I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' I tell you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. The crowd hearing John bring this question to Jesus may have started to wonder whether he himself had been the forerunner that he had understood himself to be. Well, if John's asking the question now, we're all feeling confused. Is John gone soft? Did we make a mistake? And Jesus says, no. You know John, you know how tough he is. You went out not to see someone swayed by the wind. You went to see a rock solid tree trunk in the ground quite austere and possibly quite unusual fellow this is a prophet of the Old Testament school. You went out to see him and he asks this question. Well, I can confirm to you that he is exactly who he said he was. He was the messenger sent by God ahead of me. He asks, are you the one who is to come, or should we await someone else? No. He was the messenger of the one who is to come. Be sure of it. But he says, even though John was the greatest, the greatest prophet, the preparer of the Messiah, yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Question your way out question, but don't stop too soon. John's message of preparation, of asking people to reflect on their lives, to question whether they were living for God, whether they needed to repent was absolutely right. But it was not the end of the story. John was in the period of expectation of promise, but Jesus was now in the kingdom of fulfillment. John's answers John's questions and answers could only bring a person so far: to repent before God, to weep and bemoan your sins and your wickedness, as we sometimes say in our Anglican liturgy, was absolutely what needed to happen. But to stop there would not be enough. The one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John. Not because John's not now in the kingdom of God, but because the fulfillment of what John was pointing to was here in Jesus. And so the questions that John asked and then the questions that Jesus asked must be heard together. The ministry that John had, and then the ministry that the Messiah has must be embraced together. So Jesus asks his next question: to what then can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? An Unresponsive Generation He's speaking now not to those who have heard John's message he's told them, don't stop too soon, come into the kingdom. Now he's speaking to the Pharisees and the experts in the law, those who should have both heard John's message and then seen him as the forerunner to the Messiah. But what happened? To what then can I compare the people of this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: 'We played the pipe for you and you did not dance. We sang a dirge and you did not cry.' For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine. And you say he has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking. And you say, 'here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by all her children." Jesus looks around at a people who have not heard either the call of John nor the call of Jesus, and he says nothing. Nothing is going to please you if you cannot hear a person who's calling you to Old Testament repentance, and yet you cannot also see someone inviting you into the love of God. The dirge and you did not cry well, that's John out in the wilderness, eating his locusts and honey and being very smelly and very serious and calling people well, calling them a brood of vipers. Calling them to repentance. Because so clearly have they broken the law of God for justice and care. But they didn't cry to that dirge. They didn't repent. They didn't want to hear. And then Jesus comes eating and drinking, partying on, embracing those on the margins, healing people who needed it. And they didn't dance. They didn't rejoice. John, they said, oh, all that fasting and smelling piss and yelling at us. He's got a demon. Jesus coming, eating and drinking. Oh, he's just a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. And that's not actually just a charge of saying, oh, he's a total party boy. That's actually from Deuteronomy a quote from Deuteronomy that a parent would say about his or her rebellious son, taking them to the elders of the village and asking for punishment: Here my child, is a glutton and a drunkard. And Jesus is saying, actually, God can't win with you. You want someone to be serious and call you to repentance. You have it. You want someone to show you the love and justice and inclusion of God. You have it. God can't. I just think of Jesus having to rejoice and celebrate being amongst people who he is restoring to the kingdom of God. But God can't win. Wisdom is proved right by all her children, John's way and Jesus' way sit together to bring people into the wise kingdom of God and all those who follow them. But it's very possible to avoid the answers if you really want to. We live in a world where there are many, many arguments against faith, and it's really important to grapple with those at various times, probably not all at once. But it's important for us to know that even for ourselves, you can avoid the answer if you really want to. You can find the next objection. You can change what you're looking for. You can change the standards, the goalposts. Can God win? So I just want us to close today by asking you. If you got answers to some of your questions, if you're in a hard place, would the answers to the questions you're asking really be enough? What Are You Really Looking For? If you got answers to some of your questions, if you're in a hard place, would the answers to the questions you're asking really be enough? Maybe you're asking who's to blame.Maybe you're asking, why me?Maybe you're asking, what should I do next?Maybe you're asking, what's the system that's underneath all of this injustice? If you got answers to that, would it really be enough? And I want you to ask yourself and I ask myself this, too what are you really looking for? If you had God, if you had Jesus right here, what is the question that you really want to ask him? Is it really who's to blame? Is it really why me? Could it be do you really love me? Could it be are you the one that we're looking for? Or should we expect someone else? Just take a moment in quiet. If you feel comfortable to close your eyes in a group, then please do that if that helps you. Jesus does not turn away your questions. So I'm encouraging you now and as we spend some time in worship as well what are the questions, right down at the bottom of your heart, that you really want to ask. And then I'm going to pray that Jesus' works and Jesus' character will show you what you're looking for. Closing Prayer Loving and most merciful Lord, we know that you are the Holy One, and we know that you never overlook injustice. We know that you will set things right. We know that one day we will see you face to face. And as we sit here now, Lord, we have our questions: Do you love us? Did you love our loved one who died? Are you the one? Is it worth it? What do you want to say to me? Lord Jesus, as we bring our real questions to you, we ask that you would show us who you are. Point us to the evidence in our own lives, in the world, and most clearly in the scriptures, illuminated by Your Holy Spirit. Speak to our hearts of the ways in which you can be trusted, of your great love for us, each one, and your joy over us as we come into your kingdom. As we journey through lent, we ask Lord, that you would help us to ask the right questions, that we might know you truly as the one we've been waiting for. Amen.

In this sermon, Rev. Pedram Shirmast takes us into the story of 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, where his response to Mary and Joseph"Why were you searching for me? Didnt you know I had to be in my Fathers house?"challenges us to reflect on where we seek hope. As we journey through Lent, we are invited to slow down, allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, and ask: What do we need to let go of to follow Jesus more fully? To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript This morning, the word of the Lord is being read from the Gospel of Luke, chapter two, commencing at verse 41: Every year Jesus parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. When he was 12 years old, they went up to the festival according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days, they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you. Why were you searching for me? he asked. Didnt you know that I had to be in my Fathers house? But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. The Lenten Journey: Hoping for Change Good morning again. My name is Pedram, one of the ministers here, and it's such a privilege to go through this Lent series togetherQuestions of Hope. As was mentioned earlier, we have entered the season of Lent, and in the midst of our busy lives, Jesus invites us to slow down. Its a hard thing to do: to slow down and allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts. But more important than merely observing this season is understanding why we do so. Why do we slow down? Why do we invite the Holy Spirit to search our hearts? Well, because we are hoping for changefor growth. Not just any change, but a deep change in our spiritual journey, in our relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ, and in our Christian character, to be more like Jesus. If we go through this season of Lent without this desire, then like any other season it will simply pass, and next year it will come again unchanged. I want to ask you a question: Where will you be in your faith and your relationship with Jesus this time next year? Some of us will definitely experience changes in lifeeither growing in appearance or height, or even sideways. Some will move to new places, new homes, or new job opportunities. Some will become grandparents. I wasnt expecting to share this, but since I already shared it at the 8:00 a.m. service: Lily and I will be becoming parents soon. So... thank you. This time next year, lots of changes for everybody in different ways. But what about our faith, our understanding of God's character and His will in our lives? Will we be growing in our trust and love for Jesus? Will we grow in the hope that we have in Jesus? This is why we hold this season. This is why we have faith in Jesusour sins are forgiven, and every day we walk through this journey to become more like our Savior. This is why we search our hearts, we repent, we fast. And it is not just about the tradition, but about the hope of transformation. We surrender to Jesus, asking him to shape us, renew us, and bring us closer to him as we prepare our hearts for the joy of this upcoming Easter, when we celebrate his resurrection. Mary and Josephs Search for Jesus This year, we are walking through Lent by exploring Questions of Hope the questions that Jesus asked people and the questions that people asked Jesus. Today we begin with a question Jesus asked as a 12-year-old in the temple: Why were you searching for me? Didnt you know I had to be in my Fathers house? His words challenge us today. Where are we searching for hope? Where are we searching for Jesus? Do we recognize where Jesus truly is? Jesus visit to the temple is a familiar story. From the time Jesus was an eight-day-old baby until he was a 30-year-old man at his baptism, we are told very little about his life except for this story in the Gospel of Luke. Among all four Gospels, only Luke gives us a glimpse of Jesus as a youth. He tells us the story of 12-year-old Jesus staying behind in the temple, amazing the teachers with his wisdom. This story is placed in Luke chapter 2 for a purpose, because we believe that every single storyevery single wordin the Word of God has a purpose for us. The story takes place 12 years after the first Christmas. Mary and Joseph were righteous, devout Jews who followed the Jewish laws. In verse 41, Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover each year to celebrate God's deliverance of His people from Egypt. The journey to Jerusalem from Nazareth (about 145 km away) would have taken 3 or 4 days on foot. It was a long journey, but their participation shows their deep faith. The Jewish law required men to attend the festival each year, but whole families werent obligatedyet Mary and Joseph chose to bring Jesus along every year. But why did Luke include only this particular story of Jesus childhood here (and not, say, one from when Jesus was age 11 or 10 or 15)? Its because Jesus was 12 years old herea significant age in Jewish culture. At 13, a Jewish boy became a son of the commandment, a full member of the synagogue (essentially considered an adult). By that age, many boys had memorized much of the Old Testament. This may seem surprising to us today in Australia, because 13-year-olds today are not considered mature enough for such responsibility. But in many cultures and past generations, children had to grow quickly because their livelihoods depended on it. After the feast, Mary and Joseph began their journey home, assuming Jesus was with their caravan of relatives and friends. After a day of traveling, they realized he was missing. It may seem unbelievable that they lost track of him, but traveling in large groups was common at that time. Women and children often went ahead of the caravan while men followed behind. Mary likely thought Jesus was with his father Joseph, and Joseph assumed he was with Marybut in reality, Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem. Imagine the panic of these parents. They searched for him for three days, with questions in their minds: Where is he sleeping? What is he eating? Is he safe? It took three days for Mary and Joseph to find Jesus. Do you recall another important three days of absence in the Bible? Yesthis foreshadows another three-day period: the time between Jesus death and his resurrection. This is the only other time that three days appears significantly in the Gospels. Mary and Joseph finally found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone was amazed at his understanding. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, but also frustrated. Mary spoke first: Child, why have you done this to us? You can hear the emotion in her words. Its the same way a parent might react after finding a lost childrelief mixed with frustration. Well, I wonder if you have ever been lost as a child. (Raise your hand if you have!) A lot of you... and Im thankful that you were found, finally. Or have you ever experienced the fear of losing your own child, even for a couple of minutes in a playground or in a crowd? If you have, then you understand the fear and anxiety that comes with itespecially in an unsafe environment. Thirty-five years ago, this was me at five years old. My mother took me to a crowded bazaar in Tehran, about a 25-minute walk (for an adult) from my father's shop. In the middle of shopping, I let go of her hand and got lost easily in the crowd. My mom searched but couldn't find me, so she ran to my father's shop for help (of course, she didnt have a mobile phone at that time). My father sent his friend on a motorcycle to search for me in that area while I wandered the bazaar trying to find my mom. After about 15 minutes of searching for my mother, I became disappointed and lost hope of finding her. Eventually, I decided to walk back to my father's shop, which was a huge task for a five-year-old. The neighborhood was unsafe and child abductions were common in that area, so my parents were terrifiedand so was I. When my parents finally returned to the shop and saw me sitting on a small chair in the shop, I still remember the pure relief on their faces. But I could also sense their overwhelming worry and exhaustion. My mom said to me, I thought I would never find you and had lost you forever. Jesus Mission Revealed in the Temple So in my story, my parents were filled with the same fear and anxiety because they didn't know where I was or what had happened to me. But with Jesus, it was different. Mary and Joseph were filled with worry; however, Jesus knew exactly where he was and what his purpose was, even at 12 years old. While his parents searched anxiously, he was confidently engaging in his mission, even though his parents didnt fully understand it. He showed a deep desire to know God's Word. He wasn't passively sitting in the temple listening to others, but actively engagingasking thoughtful questions. When Mary asked her son, Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you, Jesus responded, Why were you searching for me? Didnt you know that I had to be in my Fathers house? Jesus responded not with an explanation, but with another questionwhich is the key to this passage: Why were you searching for me? Didnt you know I had to be in my Fathers house? His response wasnt meant to dismiss his parents or ignore their feelings; it was to point them toward a deeper understanding of who he was and why he was there. He gently corrected Mary. She had said your father and I, referring to Joseph, but Jesus made it clear that his true Father was God. His mission, even at 12 years old, was to be about his Fathers business. Mary and Joseph did not fully understand his words at the time, but Mary treasured them in her heart, just as she had done when the shepherds and angels spoke of her newborn baby. So Jesus returned home with them and was obedient to them. He grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and people. In fact, Jesus was never losthe knew exactly where he belonged, and it was Mary and Joseph who needed to grow in their understanding. Stepping into the Fathers House Growing up isnt just about our size or age; its about discovering who we are and where we belong. Its also about deepening our relationship with God and reordering our priorities in life. Jesus led his parents to see beyond their earthly home and their earthly expectations. As parents, he calls us to move beyond our comfort zone into the Fathers house and into the expectations that God has for us. Jesus invites each of us to leave our earthly hope behind and step into Gods home every day. Let me ask you a question: What do you need to let go of to follow Jesus more fully during this season of Lent? (This is something personal between you and God.) What do you need to let go of to show your true heart for Jesus? Jesus doesnt just ask us to follow him; he finds us even when we are lost and leads us into the Fathers house. You know why? Yes, you do because he loves us. Because that is where we belong. Mary and Josephs anxious search for Jesus reflects the deep longing that many believers experience when seeking clarity and reassurance in their faith journey. Yet in Jesus response, we find hope hope that even in our confusion, God's plan is unfolding and he is where he is meant to be. Embracing Questions in Our Faith Journey In many cultures (like Iranian or other Middle Eastern cultures), questioningespecially in matters of faith, authority, or traditionis considered uncomfortable, sometimes disrespectful, or even a sign of weakness. Im not sure if you have felt this, but often you hesitate to ask a question because you fear being judged for asking it, and so you stop. In Australias individualistic and independent society, people often hesitate to ask deep questions about the purpose of life or hope for the future because they fear appearing weak. Rather than admitting uncertainty, they prefer to present themselves as strong and self-sufficient. This can leave people struggling in silence when faced with doubt or hardship. Research from Beyond Blue and the R U OK? campaign highlights that many people struggle in silence rather than opening up about their doubts and challenges. A 2015 survey by Beyond Blue found that 1 in 5 Australians thought people with anxiety were just faking it. One in five. This shows the negative attitudes and stereotypes towards getting help. People are scared to ask for help, to open their hearts. And Christians, of course, are not excluded from this struggle. Many believers hesitate to ask deep questionsespecially if they have been believers for more than five or ten years. They hesitate to ask questions about faith, suffering, or the future hope that they have. I have personally seen many Christians who struggle deeply with their faith, not because they didn't love God, but because they had unresolved questions. Some had no one to walk with them, no one to help them process their struggles. Others closed their own hearts, afraid to seek help and answers. Fearing judgment from others or worrying that it may show a lack of faith is common, and this leads some to lose their hope altogether. Over time, their hope faded not because God was absent, but because they didnt have the support or courage to seek answers. However, just as Jesus engaged in deep conversation in the temple, we too should embrace questioning as a path to greater faith and hope. Its not a sign of weakness. If we dont bring our questions or concerns to Godand to those God has placed in our liveswe risk becoming spiritually isolated. And you know what? The enemy wants us to believe that we are alone, that we are isolated. He wants us to feel that nobody understands us. He wants us to feel that questioning is a sign of weakness. But the Bible shows us that questioning God is not a lack of faithits actually part of the journey. David cried out to God in his pain and uncertainty. Job questioned God in his suffering, yet God met him in the midst of those challenges. The disciples often doubted and asked questions, and Jesus patiently guided them through their journey. Here in the temple, Jesus himself is engaging in conversation, asking and answering questions. The way that we live out our Christian faith is directly connected to our understanding of GodHis ways, His plans for us, and the hope that we have for the future. If we refuse to seek understanding, we risk living a faith that is shallow, superficial, and easily shaken by lifes circumstances. And of course, we wont always have all the answers, because some mysteries belong to God alone. But we can strengthen our faith by opening our hearts to the Lord and to those whom God has put in our lives to help and support us. Addressing doubts and uncertainties is part of our Christian journey; its part of the beauty of this journey. When we face difficult questionsnot just theologically complex questions, but deep questions about who we are, who God is, and what His role and plan are in our livesit is the hope we have in Jesus that anchors us and allows us to face uncertainty with faith. There are certain seasons in life when, like Mary, we might ask God, Why have you treated me (or my family) like this? And Jesus responds, Because I love you. Because I love you enough to grow you up, to find you where you are lost, and to bring you with me into the Fathers home. Well, asking questions and seeking answers shapes our faith and the way that we live out our faith. In our reading today, we see 12-year-old Jesus asking questions of the teachers; the teachers asking him questions; Mary asking Jesus a question; and Jesus asking Mary a deep, reflective question. Growing in Faith and Hope Now, let me ask you again: Where will you be in your journey with God this time next year? We dont want to be the same people a year from now. How do you hope to grow in your faith? In the Apostles Creed that we sometimes say together at church to affirm our faith, we declare: Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and one day he will come to judge the living and the dead. Knowing that Jesus reigns at the right hand of the Father, and that one day he will judge the living and the dead, how will this shape our faith? How will this shape our relationships today? How will it shape our perspective in our lives? When we are at work, at school or university, when we are among our colleagueshow will this shape our faith? Well, it should fill us with hope and shape how we live. The promise of Christs return gives us hope in times of hardship and uncertainty, knowing that one day he will bring justice, peace, and restoration. Growing in Wisdom, Stature, and Favor So in verse 52, the last verse of this passage, we read that And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. Jesus himself, being fully God and fully human, grew in wisdom, in physical stature, and in favor with God and people. And today we can grow in these areas as well. Growing in Wisdom: This means deepening our understanding of God. It might involve investing more time in reading the Bible (the Word of God), praying, and learning from others with humilityallowing God to change us. Growing in Stature: This isnt just about physical growth, but also emotional and personal growth. It involves facing challenges with faith and taking care of ourselves as the temple of God. Growing in Favor with God and People: This means strengthening our relationship with God through prayer and worship, while also showing love and kindness to those around us in our daily lives. So, brothers and sisters, no matter where you are in your faith journey right now, remember that God is with us every step of the way. We are not alone. He is faithful to guide us, to lead us, to encourage us, to strengthen us, and to help us grow into the people hes called us to be. Finding True Hope in Jesus Where are you searching for hope right now? What is on your mind? What are you hoping for during this season of Lent? What might God challenge us with today as we search for hope in our lives? Mary and Joseph searched anxiously for their missing 12-year-old, hoping to find him safe. That was their hope. But Jesus was hoping they would truly find out who he is, who he belongs to, and what his mission is. We know that every child is a source of hope for their parents, but it was Jesus mission and identity as the Son of the Father that was the true hope for his parentsand of course, for humanity and for us today. In the same way, we often search for hope in lifes uncertainties. And yet, Jesus invites us to find true and lasting hope in him, knowing who he is and trusting in his purpose for us. Preparing for Communion In a moment, we are going to prepare to come to the Holy Communion table together as a reminder that Jesus died for us, that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and that Jesus is alive and with us today. But I want to invite you to take a moment to reflect on the passage we read today and the message we heard. We are going to prepare our hearts for the confession prayer that we will say together. I invite you to let the Holy Spirit search your heart right now, especially in this season of Lent. If God reveals something that needs to change in your life, whether its: a sin, a habit that distances you from God, a disappointment, a broken relationship that needs restoration, or even a deep question in your heart, bring it before him with an open heart. Confession is not just about admitting our sins before God; its about drawing near to God with the assurance that our sins are forgiven, that God is merciful and compassionate. As we come to confess, we hold on to this assurance. We come to the table not with fear or disappointment, but in faithreceiving his mercy, his presence, and the hope that we have in Jesus. Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God. Though we have rebelled and wandered far off, let us then ask for mercy, confessing our sins in penitence and faith. Let us say together: Merciful God, our maker and our judge,we have sinned against youin thought, word, and deed,and in what we have failed to do.We have not loved you with our whole heart.We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.We repent and are sorry for all our sins.Father, forgive us.Strengthen us to love and obey you in newness of life;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith,pardon you and set you free from all your sins.Strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

What does it really mean to listen to Jesus? From radiant mountaintops to real-world challenges, this sermon unpacks hope, transformation, and bold faith. Tune in and be consider how you can live it out. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Scripture Readings Exodus 34:2935 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them, so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lords presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord. Luke 9:2836 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three sheltersone for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. (He did not know what he was saying.) While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him. When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen. This is the word of the Lord.Thanks be to God. It is wonderful to be able to join you so soon after November as Sean, Lina, Emily, and Siena have been baptized. Together with Sam, who has confirmed the promises made on his behalf, they are confirming those promises now in my presence as Bishop (representing the wider church). They are publicly saying yes to Jesus call to follow him on our journey through life and publicly declaring, I want to belong to the church. I want to stand up for what I believe, representing Jesus Christ in the world. This is because were Christs ambassadors, Gods co-workers in the world. We also receive Lindell and Heidi as they publicly commit to living out their baptismal promises now at Saint Philips Deep Creek Anglican Church as part of the Anglican Church. Our reading this morning is Lukes account of what is known as the Transfiguration. Its a great reading for today because I was thinkingas I heard your different testimonieshow much it resonated with that account and what we can take from it. Were reminded of the word that came from the cloud on that day in Galilee: This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him. As you have said yes today to following Jesus, lets be asking ourselves: What did it mean for Jesus to hear those words? What did it mean for his disciples? What does it mean for us? Firstly, what did it mean for Jesus to hear those words? This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him. Verse 28 says that about eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. (About eight days after Jesus said thiswhat had he said?) Verse 22: The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and he must be killed, and on the third day be raised to life. And verse 23: If anyone would come after me, they must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. So the events on the mountain that we call the Transfiguration has the cross in view. Jesus went up the mountain to pray, knowing he was facing the cross, knowing he had asked his disciples to take up their cross daily. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Jesus was transfiguredstrengthened (as was mentioned in the testimony)enabled with a glimpse of his future resurrected life (the life your mother is experiencing) to face the cross and all that entailed. Its why we often choose to celebrate the Transfiguration (as Meagan has chosen for you) before the beginning of Lent. When I was last here, I encouraged you to take part in Hope 25: Hope in an Uncertain World, an intentional season for Anglican churches from Easter Day to Pentecostto be sharing the hope we have in Jesus in whatever way is best for you, being ambassadors for Christ together. In other words, as we look to share the hope of Jesus in an uncertain world, lets remember that at its heart hope is about choosing to hold on to a vision of the future. And what a vision for the future todays reading gives us to hold on to: two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor talking with Jesus. Moses and Elijah were speaking with Jesus about his departure, which he was going to fulfill at Jerusalem. (The Greek word for departure is exodus.) The Gospel writer Luke means us to understand that in several senses. It can mean, like the Exodus in the Old Testament, a departure or going away. It can also serve as a useful euphemism for deathlike when someone says, When Im no longer here when I have died. But the reason Luke chose this word (not least in connection with Moses)and to be honest, I dont think it hurt that we had the two readings, because the first reading was part of Gods work in preparing a vision (through the building of the temple, which helped the Israelites of that day hold on to the vision)is that in his death Jesus will enact an event just like the great Exodus departure from Egypt, only more so. In the first Exodus, Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and home to the Promised Land. In the new Exodus, Jesus will lead all Gods people out of slavery to sin and death and home to our promised inheritance. So here in Luke 9, Jesus experiences all that happens on the mountaintop, knowing that it was preparing him to follow where the Law and the Prophets (represented by Moses and Elijah) had pointeddown into the valley to the place of despair and death, the place where the Son of Man would be betrayed into the hands of the Gentiles. Thats what it meant for Jesus to hear those words. What does it mean for the disciples to hear those words? This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him. The disciples were overwhelmed by what took place on the mountain. Seeing Moses and Elijah together with Jesus transfigured, they blurted out things that they didnt mean: Master, its good for us to be here. Lets put up tentsone for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. (He doesnt know what hes saying, does Peter?) Maybe its another version of Moses veilmaybe a way of saying, Lets hold on to the moment, keep you here forever. But things dont work like that. The disciples were unable to understand how it was that the glory glimpsed on the mountainthe glory of Gods chosen Son, the servant carrying in himself the promise of redemptionwould finally be unveiled in the cross, essentially in a rubbish dump outside Jerusalem. Verse 34 says that while Peter was still speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, This is my Son whom I have chosen. Listen to him. What does it mean for us to listen to Gods Son, Gods chosen one? The Transfiguration gives us a glimpse of what that meanswhat it means to be transformed, what we are being transformed for. As disciples today, we look to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Yet all the Gospel writers follow the Transfiguration with the story of a boy who is desperately illso sick that the disciples (Jesus followers) havent been able to cure him. They seem to be telling us that the two go together: the mountaintop experience and the pain of the world. Were not to try and stay on the mountaintop. The mountaintop experiencewhether thats today or a camp you talked aboutwere not to try and stay there. Great worship, a profound time of prayer, Bible study, an amazing conference, camp or retreatwhenever it is that God has seemed close and powerfulthese experiences are not given for their own sake as an end in themselves. Theyre given to equip us, strengthen us, and resource us, so that God can use us, you and I, within the worlda world that is so needy, a world that can be so hard and so challenging. Each week, the people of God gather to encounter God. Each week, the people of Godyou and Iare sent out to love and serve the Lord, to share the hope of Jesus in an uncertain world, not just in the Easter season of 2025, but beyond. Hope is a choice. Its actually a very practical habita decision to focus on a vision for good and embrace it, no matter what uncertainties or challenges are thrown at you. Emily, Siena, Sam, Sean, Lina, Lyndall, and Heidi you are making that choice today, as you stand to say (you promise to live out your baptismal promises): I turn to Christ. I repent of my sins, selfish living, and all that is false and unjust. Renouncing Satan and all that is evil. Thats what you are promising. You continue to make that choice as you look for ways to share the hope you have in Jesus. You continue to make that choice as youand together with all of uslove God and love our neighbor as we would ourselves, with all our heart, mind, and strength, serving others and working for good. The fact is, like the disciples, we often find it very bewildering to understand all that God is doing and saying, both in our times of great joy and closeness to God and in our times of great sadness, hardship, and challenge. It can sometimes seem much better just to be on the plateau of, frankly, the level groundundramatic and unexciting. But the word that comes to us, leading us to follow Jesus even when we havent a clue as to what is going on (think of what it would really have been like for Peter, James, and John), is the word that came from the cloud on that day in Galilee: This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him. As we come to this season of Lent, as we all, together with those baptized, confirmed, and received today, continue to follow Jesus, his is the voice we listen to as we gather, and we are to be listening both here and as we go out in his name. This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him.Let me promise you: Jesus will speak to you.

How do people encounter Gods presence? Through Jesus healing power and the faith of Christians in Cambodia, this sermon explores spiritual hunger, perseverance, and the impact of living out Christs love. Listen now! To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Good morning. This morning the Bible reading is from the gospel of Mark, chapter four, verses 21 through to 34. Bible Reading When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders named Jairus came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live. So Jesus went with him.A large crowd followed and pressed around him, and a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for 12 years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had. Yet instead of getting better, she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed. Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, Who touched my clothes?You see the people crowding against you? his disciples answered, and yet you can ask, Who touched me?But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering. There you go. If you're going to sleep now, you can wake up if you're getting warm. How about you, say to Pedram, put on one of the coolers because we don't want you falling asleep. We've got an opportunity to hear more about the way in which the life and ministry that Tim and Olivia and the boys are experiencing over in Cambodia teaches us something about the theme that we have for this year. (That theme, taken from 1 Corinthians 14, is that when people come into the orbit of the people of God, they experience that God is alive and active, working in the people of God and present in the community.) And so, it's a great privilege for me to have asked these guys if we can get some extra insight from you as you come and do your deputation. I think there's a lot that we can learn about what it looks like for you to see people (like in the Bible reading) drawn to the Lord Jesus, because they know that there is hope of restoration and healing in Him. And we long for our friends and family, our colleagues, and our acquaintances in the community to have that hunger to come to Jesus because they know that He is good. How do you see spiritual hunger and people kind of reaching out for the presence of God in Cambodia? Yeah. Thanks. Although we were wondering, has anyone ever coined the term a Megan Curls curly question, or can I patent it?You definitely can.Thank you, because plenty of curly questions here. So we are going slightly off script you know, apologies for that. So, like we mentioned in the Kids Talk, most Cambodians are Buddhist and the society is very spiritual in the sense that if you walk around the streets, you don't have to go far to see a temple. There are monks walking the streets everywhere. The spiritual realm in a physical, visual sense is very obvious and very present in people's lives. And so I think people are always you know, anything that goes on, people will resort to their usually Buddhist roots. Sometimes we think that's a hunger for the spiritual. Sometimes it seems like a fear of the spiritual. Some of the cultural practices come out of fear of the spirits and of people who have died. So is there a spiritual hunger? Is it a fear? Is that kind of the same, you know, different sides of the same coin? Maybe. But I think very much so. Often when people become Christians, it's not that unusual for that spiritual realm to continue through their Christianity, so I think it's a bit more visible in the way they go about things. So there's an expectation in their worldview that spiritual things happen and that unseen things can impact your life. Can that be a barrier? Are there kind of cultural barriers that make it harder for people then to recognize God's presence in the gospel of Jesus, in the community of God's people? Yeah, there are a lot of cultural barriers for the Buddhists who would like to follow Christ. The biggest one, the biggest opposition, is their family, and just the society as a whole. (Tim said almost everyone theres a phrase, to be Khmer is to be Buddhist. And so if you are not a Buddhist, then are you truly Khmer?) We see the Christians at the hospital we work at come up against great opposition from their family. And it's along a spectrum. So we have seen some whose families completely disown them or who still expect them to visit the temples during the festivals and behave Buddhist, if you like. And then at the other end of the spectrum, one of the women that I mentor when she became a Christian, her parents weren't happy. But then her brother and her sister also became Christians, and they've kind of gotten used to it, saying, "Oh, well, you know, it's not our ideal, but so be it," and they don't expect anything from them. So the Khmer Christians have really had to, in their own family and society, work out almost what their line is. And that's very much dependent on their families. We know some who say, "I go to the temple with my family, but I will not do any offerings. I go there as a cultural practice and to accompany my elderly grandmother, but I won't take part in any of the offerings or anything like that." So there is that cultural barrier. The other cultural barrier for us is obviously that we are not part of the Khmer culture, nor did we grow up in it. So, MMC has a spiritual impact team that does a lot of outreach and on-the-ground ministry and evangelism, and there are missionaries who are part of that team, but they are not the ones at the forefront of that evangelism. It is always the Khmer people on the spiritual impact team who go and do outreach, or who speak to the patients at the hospital about the gospel, because we want to make sure that it is coming from people who know the culture well, who are in that culture, preaching God's news. So how did they become Christians? Yeah. So I think it's pretty amazing when we stop and think about it, that these young people do become Christians. For example, there are two here on the screen they're both doctors. On the left-hand side and on the right-hand side, both of them come from rural villages in Cambodia that are still very traditional in the way that things happen. So their background is very Buddhist, very animistic, and both of them have grown up in these environments. Also, both have grown up in quite poor environments. So it's remarkable that they've come to the city and become very competent doctors. It's also remarkable that they've become Christians. Most of them become Christians through student movements at their universities (a lot of them through Campus Crusade). A medical degree is actually eight years, so there's eight years of involvement with these groups. That is how a lot of our doctors and nurses have become believers. (Speaker 2 adds:) On the previous slide, there was a photo of one of our other doctors, Dr. Vathai, with her family. She is an exceptional doctor who runs our women's health program at MSI. She's also married to a doctor (in that photo) who does not work at MMC and is not a Christian he is a Buddhist. And that is actually the case for a lot of our female Christian staff at MMC: they have married a Buddhist either when they were Christian or they became Christian after getting married. And one story that we have from Dr. Vathai is that last year in October, during the Pchum Ben festival (which is a religious holiday in Cambodia a very dark holiday), there is a great burden of spirits. People go to the temple for 15 days, making offerings to ward spirits away from coming to their house. They believe that when the spirits come out of the grave, they don't want them coming to their house and imposing upon them, so they take food to the temple for the spirits to go there rather than to their house. Dr. Vathai told us that one night during this time, she had a dream where her husband's eyes were bleeding, and she woke from that dream and realized that in her house, her mother (who is still a Buddhist) and her husband were making offerings to the spirits and burning incense. And so there is really a very heavy spiritual realm in Cambodia. It can be a heavy burden for the Christians, even once they become Christians. How do people, your regular community people, encounter the presence of Jesus in your midst? Is there something different about your team, the hospital? What stands out? Yeah, I think what stands out to them is the fact that at MMC, we, in a sense, go the extra mile in a way that a local hospital would not. In terms of if the patient doesn't have the means to pay for their treatment, then we usually can find means to do that rather than just kind of pushing them out the door. Another very concrete way is: in Cambodia, if you need a blood transfusion, you need a family member or a friend to go to the blood bank on your behalf. They go with a form and it's a bit of a one-in, one-out system. So you need to donate so that your uncle can receive a blood transfusion. If patients don't have this person, then in a normal public hospital, they just won't get a blood transfusion they may die as a result. At MMC, usually if a patient comes in and doesn't have someone to donate, the staff members (both expatriate and local) will put out a message asking if someone can go to the blood bank and donate on the patient's behalf. This kind of generosity really overwhelms the patients, especially because people in Cambodia are quite reluctant to donate blood (they usually only do it for a family member). There was one specific example of a woman who received a unit of blood. She said to one of our residents, "Where did this blood come from?" and the reply from the resident was, "It was donated as a blessing to you by someone who loves God and loves you, even though they don't know you." I think this just characterizes our residents, because they are so faithful, but at the same time they're not pushing anything on our patients (who are mostly Buddhist). Theyre just taking those opportunities to show them the way that Gods working through them and through Mercy. Its incredible and such an encouragement to us that just being a blessing and serving and sacrificing can bring someone closer to Jesus. It sounds like it can be quite a hard place to be a Christian in Cambodia for those that have become Christians. And also, you know, you've hinted that there's been some hard stuff that you guys have gone through as well. How have you, and what you've observed around you as well, cultivated that presence of Jesus to keep you persevering in that challenging place? Yes in very unimpressive ways. I don't really feel qualified to answer this question, necessarily, because we are very normal people. But yes, as you said, the past three years have posed many challenges for our family. We knew that there would be challenges, but obviously we didn't know what they would be, and we could never have predicted these things. Mainly its been to do with the missionary team that we work with at MMC. There has been quite a lot of hardship a lot of curveballs, unexpected things. Not conflict within the missionary team, but things happening to members of our team. And we have actually seen that as quite a bit of spiritual attack as well, because we know that MMC is doing really good work, and the devil does not want [MMC] to be doing that work in Cambodia. So we've had good friends leave the field very good friends of ours left the location because of mental health issues in their children. We've had multiple cancer diagnoses within the team that have made people leave or be away for quite a significant amount of time, or leave permanently. One example of that: on the screen there's a photo of our family with Anna and Thomas. They are an American couple. Thomas is one of the doctors at MMC, and Anna and Thomas have both, separately, been working in Southeast Asia for about 25 years. But they only met and got married about ten years ago. So they're doing wonderful work in Cambodia (and they were in Vietnam as well, and Thailand). Anna lived close to us she was our older two boys' piano teacher. They were both wonderful people, and she was a wonderful lady. I was really getting to know her. She was also part of the Sunday school team, so she really helped me out because her camera is much better than mine! She was there weekly, being a great support to us at church. In October 2023 (about 18 months ago), she was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. In about ten days, they packed up their life in Cambodia and went back to the States. We had to say goodbye, and we knew we would never see her again. (Sorry, this always makes me emotional.) She died three months later its just been the one-year anniversary of her death. That has had a significant impact on our family, on myself. I spoke of my loneliness before, and this was really the start of that deep loss and sense of loneliness being in Cambodia. It's really impacted our missionary team and the MMC church that we are working with over there, because Anna and Thomas were a great part of that. So there's been a lot of loss. We also had a huge fire a few doors down from our house last year. That caused quite a lot of trauma within our family, with our kids working through those things with them and helping them to understand why these things happen, and asking "Will God protect us if another fire happens?" all of these uncertainties that we have. I guess what I want to say is that through these challenges and hardships, our understanding is that He is there even though it is hard. Every day we say to our children as they go to school (especially when they're upset), "Jesus is with you. Even when I cannot be there with you at school or at kindergarten, Jesus is with you, and you need to remember that." We have memorized some memory verses, and I remind them of that. I don't know if they remember the whole of Psalm 23 while they're sitting in their math class at school, but we are attempting to cultivate that awareness of God's presence in their everyday and we are reminding ourselves of that in doing so as well, because it is easy to forget when you get bogged down in the routines of life. It happens to us in Cambodia as it did to us in Melbourne, as I know it does for all of you here today. Another thing that I was speaking to Tim about just an hour ago is that I've noticed with the women that I meet at the Khmer church we go to (the Bible study that I am a part of in Khmer), they are constantly saying the phrase akun Preah Yesu which means thank you, God, praise God constantly, in every sentence. I just kind of brushed over that because in my mind I knew what it meant. But then when I thought about it being translated to English If I used the phrase Praise God, thank you, God, Lord Jesus in every second sentence as I talked to people around me here in Melbourne, that would not be normal, would it? So I think that's a real way that I've learned from the Khmer Christians about how they just integrate Jesus Christ into their everyday. And that is such a wonderful witness as well to the people around them. Yeah. Thank you. I'm aware that time is going. And it's a real privilege to share even a tiny bit of the emotion that has made up your last three years. How do you see the unity and love among believers the people that you've loved and lost affecting the way that non-Christians are perceiving God's presence among you? Yeah. So I think as this photo probably shows, there is a great group of young Christians who, for the most part, enjoy working with each other, and it's usually a fairly fun, jovial place to work people most of the time supporting each other. And I think our patients and our non-Christian staff members see that as something that, you know, they want to be a part of. They see the fruits of the Spirit being played out. And I guess for me, I see that as how the body of Christ should be. It's obviously not always the case, but you hear about it in Australia as well: you hear about people being drawn into a church or a mission group or something simply because of how they see people interacting with each other. And through that, they start realizing, "Oh, that's actually the body of Christ that I can see there." So our patients do see that, and especially our non-Christian staff members. And they kind of want to be a part of that. So yeah. What encouragement would you give to us, who want to facilitate people encountering the love, the presence of God here at Deep Creek, where we are in our workplaces, from your first term? Yeah, I think we're probably not saying anything particularly new it's probably more of a reminder. But I think for us, we are part of a big team at MMC, a big team that is made up of Cambodians and many other nationalities, and each person there has been placed by God for a reason, for a purpose (often for a different purpose and with different gifts and skills). And I think that's really important to remember: we're not all there trying to do the same thing as the person next to us, and we should be remembering, well, what are my God-given gifts and how can I use them for building up the body of Christ and strengthening other believers? So I guess my encouragement is: ...you know, let's just make sure remembering what are my gifts, you know, what are my skills and even what do I enjoy doing? I enjoy cooking for someone. Well then, you know, use your hospitality to how can we, you know further the body of Christ through hospitality. I mean, it's all very biblical, and we don't want all of us doing the same thing. And we are not in Cambodia doing full-time Bible teaching or that kind of thing in a Bible college we are doing ministry through a hospital, through medicine. And so that's different to a lot of other missionaries. But yeah, but you're still seeing fruit, in the way that you're building up the church through what you can bring to the church, and in the way that you're seeing people come, wanting to be close to Jesus because sometimes maybe they want to be close to you guys. Yeah. Well, Bob's going to pray for us, and I want to make sure that there's nothing else that you want to say before we do that, okay? ... All right. Bob's going to pray. Bob's going to come up, and he'll make sure that he prays particularly for these guys, and then a couple of other things. Then we're going to sing and we'll finish our service.

What does true hospitality look like? In this powerful sermon, Rachel unpacks how Jesus radical hospitality transforms livesespecially through one extraordinary encounter between Jesus and a woman society had cast aside. She challenges us to move beyond mere entertainment and embrace gospel-shaped hospitality, where love, grace, and interdependence create space for encountering God. Join us as we explore how Jesus mission wasnt just about teaching or miraclesit was about eating and drinking with people, inviting them into His presence. What if our tables could be places of transformation too? Listen now and be inspired to open your home, your heart, and your life to experience the reality that God is truly among us. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Scripture Reading (James 5:720) Be patient then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Dont grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Jobs perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple Yes or No. Otherwise you will be condemned. Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (This is the word of the Lord.) Introduction Well, this is the last in a series from the Book of James, but well actually be considering the entire message of the book. If you havent been here for the series, thats absolutely fine youll still get plenty out of the text today. At the moment, my social media feed seems to be full of fact-checking videos. When someone in authority says things about, maybe, medicine or demographics or how things are in the world, someone else pops up over the top of that video and talks about whether the facts being shared are accurate whether the speaker is interpreting the information properly, whether the evidence is really there. I dont know that I ever expected wed need this rise of fact-checking when authoritative figures speak. It might be the news or whatever, but suddenly we do need fact-checkers. And of course, we went through a period on social media where little flags would come up saying, we dont think that this actually tells the facts (that feature has apparently been removed on some platforms). Its a strange world where we know the power of words, and yet its so easy to disagree about whether those words convey truth. We might find information being presented to us, but truth is another thing altogether. The Book of James is very concerned with the power of words and the truth of those words. Its concerned with how we respond to the powerful Word of God, and also how our own words reflect the fact that weve had the powerful Word of God implanted in our lives. We see at the beginning of James that Gods Word is powerful to save and to guide. As we get towards chapter 3, we see that our words are powerful for good or ill we can really damage people, community, and situations by what we say. And now in chapter 5, we see the intersection of those two things: Gods Word is powerful, our words are powerful, and our words to God are exceedingly powerful for ourselves and others. But the foundation of all of this, for James, is the powerful, growing, life-giving action of the Word of God. He uses language like this in chapter 1: He chose to give us birth through the word of truth. Then he calls all believers to humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Not simply telling you about God, but this Word that God has revealed about Himself not simply a book, but Gods revelation about Himself in Jesus Christ (the Good News about who He is, who we are, and how we can be together) and this Word can save you. Of course, the risk of telling people that the Word of God saves you is that we can feel like once weve heard the Word, were good. Its done its job; weve listened, weve sat here (Megans gone on and on), and were good. But James says, no, no, thats not actually listening that God requires. Do not merely listenand so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Whoever looks intently into the perfect law (James often uses law, word, and truth interchangeably) that gives freedom, and continues in it not forgetting what they have heard but doing it they will be blessed in what they do. (In other words, hearing Gods Word isnt enough; we must do it.) The Word of God is able to save and give you new birth, and as you live it out, you actually flourish you are blessed. James then concludes the letter with the words we heard today: My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James knows that we live in a world full of information, and that we have power to convince people of just about anything. (People have said about me, she could sell ice to Eskimos. That means its hard to know because of a convincing tone whether the information someone is conveying is actually truth.) But James centers on three words truth, law, and word as the core of Gods action in our lives. So when we use our words, ultimately the most powerful thing we can do on earth is to bring people to the truth. And when you do that, you cover over a multitude of sins, because the truth is the message about Jesus gift of forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. So James wants us to know that if Gods words have been so powerful as to save us, then our words must be full of grace, integrity, and hope. We saw in chapter 3 the damage that can be done by the negative use of words. (Like a forest fire set off by one tiny spark, our words can cause damage: gossip, rumors, slander, cruelty, deceit destroying relationships and community.) But now, as we come to the end in chapter 5, James starts to talk about using our words in a positive way the power of positive words. Patience in Suffering The first thing he addresses is our patience under suffering and how we speak during that suffering. Be patient then, brothers and sisters, until the Lords coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lords coming is near. Dont grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door. In the midst of their trials (and James has never glossed over the fact that being a Christian may lead to deprivation, alienation, doubts, questions, hardship he started the very letter with, Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.) he sees the need for patience. Just like the Israelites moving from Egypt to the Promised Land: that time in the wilderness was meant to strengthen them, to give them a legacy of trusting God for everything. God was always faithful. And so, just as a farmer knows the rains are coming, they had to be patient on this journey because the Judge is at the door Jesus is coming. But you know what happens when youre having a hard time? You tend to look around for anyone or anything that can become the target of your sense of unease, dis-ease. (I dont know if youve ever had to say this: Im sorry for what I said when I was hungry. In our household, that tends to be Sunday afternoons Meghan coming home around 1 PM, and I have actually had to text Phil, Im coming in hot. Like, just have the carbohydrates on the table, dont talk to me, Im going to need something. And those Tim Tams that I told you to save oh, they better still be there!) Weve worked it out now; they are there, because weve had some good family meetings about this recently, clarifying expectations and making sure nobody is grumbling. James knows that when youre under pressure under pressure as a family, as friends, as housemates, as a church (financial pressure, persecution, interest rates, whatever it is) you look around and you grumble and fight, pushing your frustrations outwards. I find that Im often looking for something to retrofit my bad feelings into. Im looking for an excuse to be grumpy at something, and that thing isnt even whats making me feel bad but Ill pretend it is so I can vent it. James is saying: you will go through hard times as a community. Do not grumble at each other (like the Israelites did, even though God was faithful). The Lord is coming, and you will be provided for. So then he moves on: Okay, if youre not going to grumble, can you instead speak graciously under that pressure? Can your words be full of integrity and hope even when times are hard? He gives us an example of patience in suffering: Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. They persevered under suffering but continued to speak rightly about God. (Thats not to say they didnt complain about their circumstances to God. We know Jeremiah, who endured all kinds of physical, emotional, and social suffering, was very honest with God. Elijah spoke very frankly with God: Im the only one left; Youve left me here! And God said, Youre hungry have a nap and a snack, and now lets talk.) The prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord persevered in speaking rightly about God and His mission on the earth, and in speaking rightly to God, bringing their struggles to Him. Youve also heard of Jobs perseverance and seen what the Lord finally brought about (The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.). Job, too, is an example of someone who did not sin in what he said, even though he was under great suffering and trial. We know this because he was told by his wife, Curse God and die. His friends told him he was speaking wrongly about God that he shouldnt be asking Why is this happening? or claiming to be righteous. In the end of the book, God says to Jobs friends, You have not spoken rightly about Me, as has My servant Job. So as Job persevered under suffering, he maintained the ability to speak rightly about God and about his situation, and to speak rightly to God about his situation. James says if you do that, youll come to know that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. If Gods words have been so powerful as to save us (the message of Jesus), then our words must be full of grace, integrity, and hope. Speaking with Integrity Above all, James says, do not swear not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. (Hes not talking about using foul language here; he means dont say, I swear by heaven or on my grandmothers life that something is true.) All you need to say is a simple yes or no. Otherwise you will be condemned. Having a community that always speaks truth is essential to God growing His kingdom on the earth absolutely essential. Jesus spoke to the leaders, and throughout Jamess letter you find heaps of connections to Jesus Sermon on the Mount. This teaching on oaths is one of those connections. In Matthew 5 Jesus said: Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made. But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is Gods throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair black or white. All you need to say is simply Yes or No; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (I think I sort of can make one hair black or white but I have to pay a lot of money!) Providing backing for your words actually undermines their truthfulness. If you feel the need to say, Ive got heavens backing for this truth Im telling you, then what are we to think about what you say normally? And what happens if it turns out not to be true? Its greatly risky to claim any sort of divine power behind your words because if you break that oath and youve called on God to back you up, well, maybe He wont be too pleased. If youve broken it, youve associated the truthful, holy God with your deceit. Jesus says you need to simply say yes or no. Are you a person of integrity or not? Why would you need to call on something that you have absolutely no power over? Instead, just be a person who speaks out of the integrity of your heart. Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 12: The mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Jesus isnt proposing a different measure of salvation here; Hes saying that our words show whether our heart is truly connected to God. Your words show whether the Word of God thats been given to you that could save you, that could give you new birth has really done that. Your verbal integrity shows that you are a friend of God and not of the world. James wants his community to be people of the utmost integrity in their speech. And its so important, especially for a new church thats telling the world we speak the truth. This message about Jesus is the truth! Yet if we then say other things that arent true, what will the world think? (Fast forward 2,000 years and you can see what the world thinks.) And what if we want to be open to the work of the Spirit among us open to everybody having a go at understanding what the Scriptures mean for us today but we cant be sure people are speaking the truth? Then, boy, youd have to shut things down to the narrowest little channel, with one leader at the front, and put all your hope in them being the only one to say things from God. No we need to speak honestly and truthfully. Of course well come at things from different perspectives (thats okay); we gather around the word of truth together and we dont deceive. We come to God and say, show us, and Hes given us plenty of Scriptures to help in that regard. Verbal integrity is central to Christian community. So, to recap: Gods Word is powerful to save and to guide. Our words are powerful for good or ill. Our words to God are powerful for ourselves and others. So, James concludes: Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James says the best use of our words, in good times and bad, is always to involve God. There is nothing too small, nothing too big, nothing too good, nothing too bad our words are not simply to go on the horizontal; we are always invited (indeed, it is Gods intention) to involve Him with our words in everything. Of course, when its something small, you might think, does it really matter? Well, if youve done the Prayer Course or read anything by Pete Greig, he often talks about how if you are in the habit of bringing everything to God, then you start to see Gods answers in the small and the big, and gratitude wells up in you. I think your language to other people then becomes more gracious and hopeful as well. I believe James would say that your expectation about God in your words is everything. Recently I lost a necklace. Id taken it off when we went swimming and put it in the car. I thought at the time, This is risky youre not going to remember where you put it. I do lose things a bit (I could probably put that on my diagnosis sheet), and it really struck me; I thought, Is this wise? Is this a good spot? Whats going to happen? Anyway, when I went to find it again, the only thing I could think was, Megan, you lose things all the time and you put it in a really risky spot. I couldnt even bring myself to look in the safe or obvious places; I was convinced: you took a huge risk (you do this all the time), so its gone. Of course, Phil went and found the necklace in a really easy spot just in the little side-door pocket no problem. Meanwhile I was imagining wild scenarios: Did I put it in a shoe? Did it fall out on the ground? It was madness. My expectation while looking for it was basically, I always lose things; Im probably not going to find it, and I wasnt even going to look in the obvious spot because I assumed it wouldnt be there. James says we are so like that when it comes to prayer. Were great at making our spreadsheets and plans, but we dont think to go to prayer. We think, Well, I havent really found answers to my prayers in the past I always lose things and so we dont do it. But James says: just do it with everything. When youre in trouble, pray (pray for yourself you dont have to wait for someone else). When youre happy, sing songs of praise (if youre doing that outside of church, just make sure no ones around unless youre really great at singing, then, you know, put it on the internet!). James wants us to know that in the midst of all the human wisdom we can glean from his book (and you dont have to be a Christian to find incredible wisdom in Jamess advice to speak rightly and avoid hypocrisy anybody can learn from the fact that one word can cause huge damage), the distinctive thing about Christianity is that we expect God to answer prayer that we can access God for ourselves and for others. (As Phoebe told me, shes seeing a lot of people saying, Id vote for Jesus; Im not a Christian, but I would vote for Jesus. I love what Jesus stands for. I completely agree imagine what incredibly compassionate policies we might see! But people often dont realize that Jesus also talked about the weirdest stuff: Connect with God. Pray. Expect God to answer. Know that God is a good Father and will give you everything you need.) So as much as we might say Jesus would have great social policies, the truly distinctive thing about Christianity is that we expect that God will answer prayer that we can access God for ourselves and for others. Conclusion This year were calling ourselves to Start Right. God wants us to know that His Word is powerful, and that we are to treasure what we have to soak ourselves in the Word as much as we can, to talk about it, and to talk to God about it. And as we are planted in Him, we must use our words rightly, noticing how we speak to each other here and moving beyond just avoiding the negative. Its not only about saying, Im not going to say bad things, but actually making a positive contribution: Im going to speak truth. Im going to speak hope. Im going to speak grace. Im not going to grumble. And finally, were going to talk to God. Prayer is really the only thing. Im pretty good at making things on Canva and keeping spreadsheets (though updating them and keeping my files consistent not so good). But without prayer, what do those efforts amount to? To quote Pete Greig again: Without prayer, Alpha is just advertising a religious product. Without prayer, church planting is just rolling out outlets for a franchise for the religiously inclined. Without prayer, our works in social transformation are just (lets be honest) second-rate social work. Without prayer, we might feel religious, but we dont have a relationship an interactive encounter with the living God. So this year, as we seek to have people know (and for ourselves to know) that God is really among us, it comes down to this: involving God in every single aspect of our lives. Talking to Him, listening to Him, praising, seeking help, and getting others to help us in prayer as well. Now, Im going to pray for us, and as the band comes up I want to ask you to consider whether you would like God to give you a greater hunger for prayer this year. Only you know if thats something you need. Im not going to ask anyone to stand up or raise a hand, but I am asking you to make a commitment to God that youre seeking a greater hunger, and that if He gives it to you, you will act on it. So lets pray. Almighty God, Your words are powerful, and we always want to respond to them. For those of us who need to respond in this way, Lord, we ask that You would see us and our great desire to involve You to have an interactive, encountering relationship with You through prayer. For those of us making that commitment, Lord, we now ask that Your Holy Spirit give us a greater hunger for prayer in 2025. And Lord, where You pour out Your Spirit and give us a hunger for prayer, may we not ignore or abuse that gift, but act to slake that thirst and meet that hunger by praying. May it be our gift to the world, to ourselves, to this church. And may we find ourselves so deeply in love with who You are our faith refreshed and our confidence in Your power immensely grown this year. Amen.

What is the true purpose of the church? Is it just about gathering, serving, and keeping things running, or is there something deeper at the heart of our worship? In this sermon, we explore 1 Corinthians 14, where Paul calls the church to edify one another, worship with understanding, and ultimately encounter the presence of God. Through spiritual gifts, orderly worship, and meaningful revelation, we are not just maintaining a routinewe are creating a space where even an outsider can walk in, fall on their face, and proclaim, "God is really among you." Join us as we unpack what it means to move beyond duty and into a life-changing encounter with God. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Good morning everyone. I'm going to be reading from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 14, starting at verse one: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would prefer you to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets so that the church may be edified. Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or the harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly, there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. For this reason, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. Otherwise, when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say Amen to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you, but in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written: With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord. Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that youre out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, God is really among you! This is the word of the Lord. Now there are no slides today, so if you need to get a Bible or something to keep your attention (such as a Bible), then feel free to do so. There are some out in the foyer, or you might be able to access it on your phone. Our Vision for 2024: "Be the Church" In 2024, our vision was to be the church. Not to come to church, not to attend the church buildingbe the church. And we did that to remind ourselves that church wasn't about a building or a staff team, an organization, leaders or groups who would create something that we would consume. It was about owning our identity as people alive in God because of Jesus, partnering with God together all the time, wherever we are, to bring that life to the worldbeing a people refreshed by God, bringing that refreshing to the world. But there was a contradiction (or maybe a paradox) in our 2024 vision. Because to be the church, we did still need to come to church and to do things at churchdoing church as well as being church. We had to use our gifts to lead and to give and to clean and to welcome and to make coffee and do our clearances and go to training and give. (And did I mention give?) If you've been around church for some time, and particularly if you've been part of the same church for a long time, you can have moments where you just feel like you're on this kind of machinea bit of a hamster wheelwhere the job is just to keep it moving. Christmas comes around, Easter follows hard on its heels, and you're told to invite people. The musicians have to think of some fresh songs, and the preachers have to say the same thing but in different ways. And there are rosters, and there are working bees and budgets and safe ministry and rosters (did I mention rosters?). It's a rare person who wants to spend their life investing in an organizational machine just for the sake of that machineto keep it running. You want to invest your time and your energy, your finances, your passion, your week-in, week-out experience into something that has an impact, that has a purpose. You know you've got a reason for turning up, that these routines and this mechanism are actually toward something. A companys discovered this, particularly in the early 20th century as the industrial age hit its stride with factories, efficiency, and assembly lines. They discovered that to get the most product, you had people only make a tiny part of the whole and just get really good at it and do it over and over and over again. But it wasn't long before they realized that that sort of work actually led to employees becoming exceedingly demotivated and fatigueddisillusioned to the point of quitting. In 1914, Henry Ford (maker of Ford cars) had to double wages to combat the disillusionment and lack of motivation that people on the assembly line were feeling. And the problem was not that they were working longer or harder than they had before. It was that they had become disconnected. They had lost sight of the final productthe purpose of what they were makingbecause all they saw was a nut or a bolt or, if it was making clothes, they only saw the collar or a tiny button. Maybe later, with more modern tech, they only made one little chip on a computer or however these things work. The day-to-day work, even though it was for a purpose, became meaningless because they didn't see what they were there for. And then the quality started dropping, efficiency was gone, and the business itself became unsustainable. In a church of our size (between 100 and 200 people), we have a real danger because we're working very hard to try and reach a vision that is just a bit beyond our resources. And people are serving on rosters multiple times a month. We're talking about needing improvements to the building. There's a lot of pressure. And families need usmy family needs me, your family needs you (doesn't matter how old your kids are). And the world is super complex. And so we have to make sure that we don't fall into this Henry Ford trapthat what we're doing week in, week out doesn't become a routine disconnected from the purpose of church. We need to know the big outcome. We need to know why we play our various parts. We need to know what is the purpose of churchbeing it, doing it, being at it, going to it, all of those things. Well, one of the answers (and a key answer, I think) is found in 1 Corinthians 14, which is why we had it read (thanks, Tony). The Church in Corinth: Gifts and Purpose Today in Corinth, they weren't necessarily at risk of being demotivated at that point (not the very active ones, anyway). Certainly there were people who were being sidelined and excluded (you can see in chapter 11 there are people being left out of sharing in the Lord's Supper because of the way they're doing stuff). There were plenty of people questioning the core teaching about Jesus' resurrection (like Layla read from 1 Corinthians 15 this morning). Plenty of people living in ways that were mind-bogglingly bad (that's chapter six, with a sniff of chapter seven). But in terms of the church gathering, they were still in danger of being disconnected from the purpose of using their gifts together. They focused on their favorite parts of the assembly linejust conducting themselves in a way that meant the final goal was never being reached. So let me explain. People in the Greek city of Corinth in the first century had received the message about Jesus. People had comeapostles had come, evangelistsand taught them that Jesus life, death, and resurrection was the way God intended to restore people to Himself. And when they trusted in Jesus, when they heard this message and said, This is my life, God gave them His own Spirit (His Holy Spirit) to dwell in their inner being. And that is still the promise for today, and that is still what God does today. And one of the things Gods Spirit does in the person who believes is to give them new gifts or skills, or to renew certain abilities so that they can take their place to grow both the church and to impact the world for good. We call those spiritual gifts. They could be: leadership, hospitality, practical care, endurance in prayer, the ability to understand and teach the Bible, a special attention to the way in which the Scriptures might apply to a certain situation (or even what might be coming in the future), a new language in which to pray (Paul often refers to this gift as tongues, meaning a prayer language from the Holy Spirit that allows a person to give thanks and praise to God in a way that connects their spirit with the Holy Spirit and with God Himself), praying for physical healing and seeing that happen more often than not, ways of hearing or sensing or seeing the things that God wanted a fellow believer (or even a non-believer) to know about themselves, or about God, or a particular situation. And it was motivating to receive a gift. But the issue in Corinth was that these individual ways of working weren't being expressed or used together in the way that God had given them for. They were using the gifts in gatherings in ways that were leading to people being confused and excluded. Worship time was becoming a noisy display of individual expressions. Some were speaking in the prayer language (tongues) without interpretation, and it just made noise to other people. Others were bringing teaching or revelation from God without listening to othersbutting in, not wanting to take their turn, not realizing that human beings can really only absorb a certain amount of information all at once (I may not have learned that lesson myself!). The result was not a church being the church, but confusion and exclusion. Now, you might have heard in that reading something strange that Paul says about tongues and about prophecy being a sign for unbelievers and believers. If you were following the argument, you might have gotten to the point of thinking, Oh yes, I understand: Paul really likes prophecy and it's going to be helpful for people. But then suddenly Paul says tongues are a sign for unbelievers and prophecy is for believersthat doesn't seem to make any sense at all! Well, actually, what he meant was that tongues were functioning as a way of showing the unbelievers that they were unbelieverskeeping them in that category, a sign that they were excluded from God's presence because they couldn't come near to Him, since they couldn't understand anything that was going on. So just as Isaiah had said, when the people hear the words of the prophet, it'll be like they can't even understand them. That's how rebellious they are; that's how excluded they are from my true intention and heart. When unbelievers heard tongues, it was a sign that they were excludedit was a sign that they were not coming close to God. It functioned like a prophetic sign. But for believers, prophecy actually brings people close, and it can even create people who are part of the family of God. Now, when Paul says prophecy, he doesn't just mean what maybe you and I think of as prophecy (you know, like me pointing and saying, "You over there, God has this word for you..."). Actually, he means any revelation from God shared together. He uses the words revelation, wisdom, knowledge, instructionall of this is what Paul means by prophecy. You could be bringing an interpretation of the Scriptures. You could be bringing a reading from (in their case) the Old Testament. You could be bringing something that God had revealed to you about the Lord Jesus, about the gathering, or about a particular person's situation. So what was the ultimate purpose of the gathering then? If doing things in that way was not creating what God intended and was causing confusion and exclusion, what is the point? Well, Paul gives a number of sub-purposes before he gets to the ultimate purpose of the gathering. (And I wonder if you've been part of groups or churches that have kind of stopped at the sub-purpose before they've got to the ultimate purposethey've made the underneath bit the main thing.) So let's have a look. Orderly and Fitting Worship Verse 40 (just outside of the reading we had, but in the same section) says: Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (1 Corinthians 14:40) Many churches or denominations or groups have embraced this as their main goal: that when they gather for worship, everything is prepared for and anticipated. You have a full written-out order of service or liturgy. Even if you're not a liturgical church, you know that the same people are going to do the same things and there will become a set shape. There is nothing spontaneous; everything is anticipated. And it's absolutely true that our experience of church should not cause us to be anxious, or confused, or to feel that things are chaotic. Absolutely. In verse 33, Paul says: God is not a God of disorder, but of order and peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33) But Paul is not trying to prevent anything spontaneous. Actually, he's managing a lot of spontaneity in Corinth! He's not prioritizing making sure nobody's noisy in the service (kids or adults). He's wanting a gathering that points people towards the character of Goda God who is not anxious or chaotic or confusing or excluding, but who is gracious and holy and loving and welcoming and understandable, forgiving and trustworthy. A gathering that enables us to say, like the psalmist: One thing I ask from the Lord;this only do I seek:That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. Paul only means orderly and fitting in the sense of being able to truly see the Lord and not be distractedto gaze on His beauty and to desire Him as the one thing. But Paul does not want us to try and manufacture that. And this is where the whole assembly line thing massively falls down. So leave it behind. Architecture. Band. Lights. Flowers. Liturgy. Whatever. All of those thingswonderfully helpful at times. But Paul says the next goal always is intelligible revelation from God. Intelligible Revelation from God That's why a prayer language that is very spiritual (indeed a gift from the Holy Spirit) doesn't take center stage in a church service. Many of us here do have that gift and do use it in our own prayer times, or in our ministry with others, or in small groups or other settings. I've asked God a couple of times in a gathering to tell me what it was that the person might have been praying in tongues, and I did actually get a sense of what it was. I wasn't leading, and so it wasn't my place to interrupt and say (it was their practice to have that during worship). I think it's possibleI think it's really possible, these things that Paul talked about todaybut Paul is saying it's communication about God and from God (revelation, knowledge, prophecy, words of instruction) that needs to be focused on in the gathering. Not necessarily long sermons, but an expectation that God is a speaking Godthat God wants to be known by us. And when these things are made intelligible, they will strengthen, encourage, and comfort people. It could be a conversation. It could be words to a song. It could be our prayers. But in all of these things, we are to expect that God wants to speak through them, to use them for His revelation. These are the sorts of things that willlike a trumpet call that can be understoodready people for battle. These will be things that give people an opportunity to praise God in song. Now, weve got to do it in an orderly and fitting way. Make sure it's intelligible, because this is about God wanting to communicate. And then there's the penultimate (second-last) goal. Building Up the Church Verse 26, Paul says: Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. (1 Corinthians 14:26) So he doesn't want anyone coming in saying, "This is my time to shine!" But also, he's not looking for the maintenance of a religious mechanism that allows everybody to "get a go" just for the sake of everybody getting a go. And he doesn't actually want them to focus on the downloading of information for its own sake. (Remember Jesus talking to peoplereligious leaders who knew so much about the Scriptures, whose whole lives had been dedicated to information about God? And yet Jesus said to them, "You don't know the power of God. You don't know the purpose of God.") Paul says everything must be done so that the church may be built up, so that those who are going to be on mission for God in the world are built upstrengthened, encouraged. The church is to be growing itself up in love. But is that an end in itself? Does that still leave us with this idea that the church kind of exists to be the church for the sake of the churchthat when we come, we're being the church, and that's really good to do and be and act as the church? No. We find the answerthe ultimate goal. We don't want to stop at orderly. We don't want to stop at information. We don't want to stop at building up the church. We want to get to God's point. Encountering God's Presence The Ultimate Purpose When the church functions rightly, it is a place (it is a space, it is a community) where people encounter the presence of God. When our gifts, our worship, our prayers, our preaching, our service, our rosters, our turning up are all done rightly, the purpose is that all peopleeven an inquirer or a complete outsider when they come inwill fall on their face and worship God because they understand who He is, who they are, what they need in this life, and what their purpose is. That's what it means to uncover the secrets of their heart. (Not that I'm saying, "I know that you did this thing last summer"that's a movie. It could be that, but actually they come in and they know who they are, and they know what God has done, and they fall down and worship. And they say, "God is really among you.") The entire purpose of the church is these two things: to declare the praise of God (to fall down and worship), and to encounter the living God. Everything that happensorderly, fitting, information, revelation, building each other up, everybody playing their partis so that we might fall down and worship, and so that we might encounter the living God. The presence of God. Not just learn about God, but know that He is here and moving and transforming, and that is what He longs to do in our lives. God loves to be among His people, and to be glorified by them as they enjoy Him. It's His whole reason for creating us: to be present with us, to encounter us, to be encountered by us, to be rightly adored, and to generously bless. We were created to encounter God. I wonder if you've ever thought about the way in which the life with God is described. To me, it seems like it's always described with verbs of encounter: Walking Companioning Speaking Listening Abiding Dwelling Loving Seeking Befriending Nothing about our life with Godnothing about our life as human beings or as the church gatheredis meant to be static, or just an information download, or a way of fostering or bolstering an identity. It's movement. It's encounter. It's walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, telling Him our problems and our disappointments and our hopes. It's having Him actually open the Scriptures to us (through each other, through His own Spirit), and sharing a meal with us, being present with us. It's Him telling us that: He no longer calls us servants, but He calls us friends, because that is what we are. In John chapter 10, Jesus paints a picture of Himself as the Good Shepherd, and He says: The sheep come to Him because they hear His voice. They know Him, and then He gives them life. Abundant life. When we gather, we are allowing ourselves to hear the voice of the Shepherdthe revelation of God. But we are not stopping there. We are moving into life with the Shepherd. Abundant life. Our life as a church, when it is fitting and orderly as we focus on hearing from God and when we make sure we're building each other up, is about encountering a God who is present among us. That's why having a table at the center of the room is so useful, and why when we share the Lord's Supper, we tell the story again. The secrets of our hearts can be laid bare. Now, I say that I have a super sniffer. And to be honest, it is more of (for the recording, I am pointing to my nose) a curse than a blessing. Because, you know, you really are so distracted by smells. When I was pregnant, it was the worst. Anythingsomething that might have smelled niceI just couldn't bear it. But for me, it's so strong, just in general, that if I've been to a caf and they've been cooking breakfast or lunch or whatever, you know, you go out and you think, I smell like... I didn't eat bacon, but I smell like bacon. I smell like garlic, whatever it was. Or if you hug someone who's got strong perfume on, you're like, Ah, now I smell like that person. If my mum hugs my dog, then my dog smells like my mum to me, which is very confusing. But the purpose of gathering together to worship and encounter the presence of God is to actually have that aroma about us wherever we gothat we can be the church, because we've come to church and been at the church in the presence of God. And wherever we go, we just have that aroma on us. (Heidi is just barely holding it together.) People know that we've encountered the living God. And so, as we gather around the Lord's table (which we're about to do), would you talk to the Lord about moving beyond fitting and orderly, moving beyond revelation (and even sharing), moving beyond just building up the church, and focusing (even though all those things are excellent) on falling down in worship and experiencing the presence of God among us.

How do we respond to lifes challengeswith grumbling or with patience? In this sermon from the Book of James, we explore the power of words, the call to integrity, and the life-changing impact of prayer. James reminds us that just as a farmer waits for rain, we too must trust in Gods timing. Whether we face trials, joy, or uncertainty, our words and prayers matter. Join us as we reflect on starting right this yearanchored in faith, truth, and the power of Gods presence. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Scripture Reading (James 5:720) Be patient then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Dont grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Jobs perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple Yes or No. Otherwise you will be condemned. Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (This is the word of the Lord.) Introduction Well, this is the last in a series from the Book of James, but well actually be considering the entire message of the book. If you havent been here for the series, thats absolutely fine youll still get plenty out of the text today. At the moment, my social media feed seems to be full of fact-checking videos. When someone in authority says things about, maybe, medicine or demographics or how things are in the world, someone else pops up over the top of that video and talks about whether the facts being shared are accurate whether the speaker is interpreting the information properly, whether the evidence is really there. I dont know that I ever expected wed need this rise of fact-checking when authoritative figures speak. It might be the news or whatever, but suddenly we do need fact-checkers. And of course, we went through a period on social media where little flags would come up saying, we dont think that this actually tells the facts (that feature has apparently been removed on some platforms). Its a strange world where we know the power of words, and yet its so easy to disagree about whether those words convey truth. We might find information being presented to us, but truth is another thing altogether. The Book of James is very concerned with the power of words and the truth of those words. Its concerned with how we respond to the powerful Word of God, and also how our own words reflect the fact that weve had the powerful Word of God implanted in our lives. We see at the beginning of James that Gods Word is powerful to save and to guide. As we get towards chapter 3, we see that our words are powerful for good or ill we can really damage people, community, and situations by what we say. And now in chapter 5, we see the intersection of those two things: Gods Word is powerful, our words are powerful, and our words to God are exceedingly powerful for ourselves and others. But the foundation of all of this, for James, is the powerful, growing, life-giving action of the Word of God. He uses language like this in chapter 1: He chose to give us birth through the word of truth. Then he calls all believers to humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Not simply telling you about God, but this Word that God has revealed about Himself not simply a book, but Gods revelation about Himself in Jesus Christ (the Good News about who He is, who we are, and how we can be together) and this Word can save you. Of course, the risk of telling people that the Word of God saves you is that we can feel like once weve heard the Word, were good. Its done its job; weve listened, weve sat here (Megans gone on and on), and were good. But James says, no, no, thats not actually listening that God requires. Do not merely listenand so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Whoever looks intently into the perfect law (James often uses law, word, and truth interchangeably) that gives freedom, and continues in it not forgetting what they have heard but doing it they will be blessed in what they do. (In other words, hearing Gods Word isnt enough; we must do it.) The Word of God is able to save and give you new birth, and as you live it out, you actually flourish you are blessed. James then concludes the letter with the words we heard today: My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James knows that we live in a world full of information, and that we have power to convince people of just about anything. (People have said about me, she could sell ice to Eskimos. That means its hard to know because of a convincing tone whether the information someone is conveying is actually truth.) But James centers on three words truth, law, and word as the core of Gods action in our lives. So when we use our words, ultimately the most powerful thing we can do on earth is to bring people to the truth. And when you do that, you cover over a multitude of sins, because the truth is the message about Jesus gift of forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. So James wants us to know that if Gods words have been so powerful as to save us, then our words must be full of grace, integrity, and hope. We saw in chapter 3 the damage that can be done by the negative use of words. (Like a forest fire set off by one tiny spark, our words can cause damage: gossip, rumors, slander, cruelty, deceit destroying relationships and community.) But now, as we come to the end in chapter 5, James starts to talk about using our words in a positive way the power of positive words. Patience in Suffering The first thing he addresses is our patience under suffering and how we speak during that suffering. Be patient then, brothers and sisters, until the Lords coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lords coming is near. Dont grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door. In the midst of their trials (and James has never glossed over the fact that being a Christian may lead to deprivation, alienation, doubts, questions, hardship he started the very letter with, Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.) he sees the need for patience. Just like the Israelites moving from Egypt to the Promised Land: that time in the wilderness was meant to strengthen them, to give them a legacy of trusting God for everything. God was always faithful. And so, just as a farmer knows the rains are coming, they had to be patient on this journey because the Judge is at the door Jesus is coming. But you know what happens when youre having a hard time? You tend to look around for anyone or anything that can become the target of your sense of unease, dis-ease. (I dont know if youve ever had to say this: Im sorry for what I said when I was hungry. In our household, that tends to be Sunday afternoons Meghan coming home around 1 PM, and I have actually had to text Phil, Im coming in hot. Like, just have the carbohydrates on the table, dont talk to me, Im going to need something. And those Tim Tams that I told you to save oh, they better still be there!) Weve worked it out now; they are there, because weve had some good family meetings about this recently, clarifying expectations and making sure nobody is grumbling. James knows that when youre under pressure under pressure as a family, as friends, as housemates, as a church (financial pressure, persecution, interest rates, whatever it is) you look around and you grumble and fight, pushing your frustrations outwards. I find that Im often looking for something to retrofit my bad feelings into. Im looking for an excuse to be grumpy at something, and that thing isnt even whats making me feel bad but Ill pretend it is so I can vent it. James is saying: you will go through hard times as a community. Do not grumble at each other (like the Israelites did, even though God was faithful). The Lord is coming, and you will be provided for. So then he moves on: Okay, if youre not going to grumble, can you instead speak graciously under that pressure? Can your words be full of integrity and hope even when times are hard? He gives us an example of patience in suffering: Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. They persevered under suffering but continued to speak rightly about God. (Thats not to say they didnt complain about their circumstances to God. We know Jeremiah, who endured all kinds of physical, emotional, and social suffering, was very honest with God. Elijah spoke very frankly with God: Im the only one left; Youve left me here! And God said, Youre hungry have a nap and a snack, and now lets talk.) The prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord persevered in speaking rightly about God and His mission on the earth, and in speaking rightly to God, bringing their struggles to Him. Youve also heard of Jobs perseverance and seen what the Lord finally brought about (The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.). Job, too, is an example of someone who did not sin in what he said, even though he was under great suffering and trial. We know this because he was told by his wife, Curse God and die. His friends told him he was speaking wrongly about God that he shouldnt be asking Why is this happening? or claiming to be righteous. In the end of the book, God says to Jobs friends, You have not spoken rightly about Me, as has My servant Job. So as Job persevered under suffering, he maintained the ability to speak rightly about God and about his situation, and to speak rightly to God about his situation. James says if you do that, youll come to know that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. If Gods words have been so powerful as to save us (the message of Jesus), then our words must be full of grace, integrity, and hope. Speaking with Integrity Above all, James says, do not swear not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. (Hes not talking about using foul language here; he means dont say, I swear by heaven or on my grandmothers life that something is true.) All you need to say is a simple yes or no. Otherwise you will be condemned. Having a community that always speaks truth is essential to God growing His kingdom on the earth absolutely essential. Jesus spoke to the leaders, and throughout Jamess letter you find heaps of connections to Jesus Sermon on the Mount. This teaching on oaths is one of those connections. In Matthew 5 Jesus said: Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made. But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is Gods throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair black or white. All you need to say is simply Yes or No; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (I think I sort of can make one hair black or white but I have to pay a lot of money!) Providing backing for your words actually undermines their truthfulness. If you feel the need to say, Ive got heavens backing for this truth Im telling you, then what are we to think about what you say normally? And what happens if it turns out not to be true? Its greatly risky to claim any sort of divine power behind your words because if you break that oath and youve called on God to back you up, well, maybe He wont be too pleased. If youve broken it, youve associated the truthful, holy God with your deceit. Jesus says you need to simply say yes or no. Are you a person of integrity or not? Why would you need to call on something that you have absolutely no power over? Instead, just be a person who speaks out of the integrity of your heart. Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 12: The mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Jesus isnt proposing a different measure of salvation here; Hes saying that our words show whether our heart is truly connected to God. Your words show whether the Word of God thats been given to you that could save you, that could give you new birth has really done that. Your verbal integrity shows that you are a friend of God and not of the world. James wants his community to be people of the utmost integrity in their speech. And its so important, especially for a new church thats telling the world we speak the truth. This message about Jesus is the truth! Yet if we then say other things that arent true, what will the world think? (Fast forward 2,000 years and you can see what the world thinks.) And what if we want to be open to the work of the Spirit among us open to everybody having a go at understanding what the Scriptures mean for us today but we cant be sure people are speaking the truth? Then, boy, youd have to shut things down to the narrowest little channel, with one leader at the front, and put all your hope in them being the only one to say things from God. No we need to speak honestly and truthfully. Of course well come at things from different perspectives (thats okay); we gather around the word of truth together and we dont deceive. We come to God and say, show us, and Hes given us plenty of Scriptures to help in that regard. Verbal integrity is central to Christian community. So, to recap: Gods Word is powerful to save and to guide. Our words are powerful for good or ill. Our words to God are powerful for ourselves and others. So, James concludes: Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James says the best use of our words, in good times and bad, is always to involve God. There is nothing too small, nothing too big, nothing too good, nothing too bad our words are not simply to go on the horizontal; we are always invited (indeed, it is Gods intention) to involve Him with our words in everything. Of course, when its something small, you might think, does it really matter? Well, if youve done the Prayer Course or read anything by Pete Greig, he often talks about how if you are in the habit of bringing everything to God, then you start to see Gods answers in the small and the big, and gratitude wells up in you. I think your language to other people then becomes more gracious and hopeful as well. I believe James would say that your expectation about God in your words is everything. Recently I lost a necklace. Id taken it off when we went swimming and put it in the car. I thought at the time, This is risky youre not going to remember where you put it. I do lose things a bit (I could probably put that on my diagnosis sheet), and it really struck me; I thought, Is this wise? Is this a good spot? Whats going to happen? Anyway, when I went to find it again, the only thing I could think was, Megan, you lose things all the time and you put it in a really risky spot. I couldnt even bring myself to look in the safe or obvious places; I was convinced: you took a huge risk (you do this all the time), so its gone. Of course, Phil went and found the necklace in a really easy spot just in the little side-door pocket no problem. Meanwhile I was imagining wild scenarios: Did I put it in a shoe? Did it fall out on the ground? It was madness. My expectation while looking for it was basically, I always lose things; Im probably not going to find it, and I wasnt even going to look in the obvious spot because I assumed it wouldnt be there. James says we are so like that when it comes to prayer. Were great at making our spreadsheets and plans, but we dont think to go to prayer. We think, Well, I havent really found answers to my prayers in the past I always lose things and so we dont do it. But James says: just do it with everything. When youre in trouble, pray (pray for yourself you dont have to wait for someone else). When youre happy, sing songs of praise (if youre doing that outside of church, just make sure no ones around unless youre really great at singing, then, you know, put it on the internet!). James wants us to know that in the midst of all the human wisdom we can glean from his book (and you dont have to be a Christian to find incredible wisdom in Jamess advice to speak rightly and avoid hypocrisy anybody can learn from the fact that one word can cause huge damage), the distinctive thing about Christianity is that we expect God to answer prayer that we can access God for ourselves and for others. (As Phoebe told me, shes seeing a lot of people saying, Id vote for Jesus; Im not a Christian, but I would vote for Jesus. I love what Jesus stands for. I completely agree imagine what incredibly compassionate policies we might see! But people often dont realize that Jesus also talked about the weirdest stuff: Connect with God. Pray. Expect God to answer. Know that God is a good Father and will give you everything you need.) So as much as we might say Jesus would have great social policies, the truly distinctive thing about Christianity is that we expect that God will answer prayer that we can access God for ourselves and for others. Conclusion This year were calling ourselves to Start Right. God wants us to know that His Word is powerful, and that we are to treasure what we have to soak ourselves in the Word as much as we can, to talk about it, and to talk to God about it. And as we are planted in Him, we must use our words rightly, noticing how we speak to each other here and moving beyond just avoiding the negative. Its not only about saying, Im not going to say bad things, but actually making a positive contribution: Im going to speak truth. Im going to speak hope. Im going to speak grace. Im not going to grumble. And finally, were going to talk to God. Prayer is really the only thing. Im pretty good at making things on Canva and keeping spreadsheets (though updating them and keeping my files consistent not so good). But without prayer, what do those efforts amount to? To quote Pete Greig again: Without prayer, Alpha is just advertising a religious product. Without prayer, church planting is just rolling out outlets for a franchise for the religiously inclined. Without prayer, our works in social transformation are just (lets be honest) second-rate social work. Without prayer, we might feel religious, but we dont have a relationship an interactive encounter with the living God. So this year, as we seek to have people know (and for ourselves to know) that God is really among us, it comes down to this: involving God in every single aspect of our lives. Talking to Him, listening to Him, praising, seeking help, and getting others to help us in prayer as well. Now, Im going to pray for us, and as the band comes up I want to ask you to consider whether you would like God to give you a greater hunger for prayer this year. Only you know if thats something you need. Im not going to ask anyone to stand up or raise a hand, but I am asking you to make a commitment to God that youre seeking a greater hunger, and that if He gives it to you, you will act on it. So lets pray. Almighty God, Your words are powerful, and we always want to respond to them. For those of us who need to respond in this way, Lord, we ask that You would see us and our great desire to involve You to have an interactive, encountering relationship with You through prayer. For those of us making that commitment, Lord, we now ask that Your Holy Spirit give us a greater hunger for prayer in 2025. And Lord, where You pour out Your Spirit and give us a hunger for prayer, may we not ignore or abuse that gift, but act to slake that thirst and meet that hunger by praying. May it be our gift to the world, to ourselves, to this church. And may we find ourselves so deeply in love with who You are our faith refreshed and our confidence in Your power immensely grown this year. Amen.

As human beings, we are not powerless - our choices matter, and we can choose to live as friends of God or not. Yet we are not powerful - God is ultimately the one who determines our lives. This sermon, delivered by Megan Curlis-Gibson, explores this tension in the book of James and offers practical steps to build peace and deepen our relationship with God. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

Humans have tamed many animals and forces of nature - but who can tame the tongue? In this sermon, Leili Shirmast explores the incredible power of our wordsboth to build up and to tear down. Although the tongue is small, its influence is mighty, and Leili encourages us to use our words to bring life, peace and encouragement to others while seeking God's transformation in our hearts and lives. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

Commanders DL coach, and former Deep Creek player, Darryl Tapp joins the Scott Jackson Show on "Football at Four". Plus more on this weekends NFL Playoff games and coaching changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is faith without works dead? Pedram Shirmast unpacks this bold message of James 2:14-26, challenging us to reflect on whether our actions truly align with our faith. This message calls us to embrace a vibrant, active faith that transforms our lives and reflects Christs love to the world. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

What does it mean to pursue Gods best in the new year? Megan Curlis-Gibson explores James 1:19-27, emphasizing how Gods Word is central to spiritual flourishing. She challenges us to humbly receive and live out the Word, prioritise listening over speaking, and embrace a discipleship that combines personal holiness with caring for the vulnerable. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

How do we start a new year well? Kicking off our new sermon series, Megan Curlis-Gibson explores James 1:1-18, challenging us to reflect on the true measure of faith and how we can persevere under trials. This message encourages us to start the year anchored in faith, gratitude, and trust in Gods wisdom. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

Deep Creek: Part 2

In this Christmas sermon, Pedram Shirmast reflects on the profound theme of peace and reminds us how Gods perfect plan is revealed through prophecies, places and peopleshowing His faithfulness, purpose, and heart for all humanity. This message will encourage you to encounter the transformative peace only Jesus can bring. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

In a broken and tumultuous world, what does it mean to experience Jesus' peace? Through Simeons prophecy and Marys treasuring of Jesus birth, Senior Minister Megan Curlis-Gibson reflects on how the presence of Christ offers the greatest treasure: peace with God that transcends understanding. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

In a broken and tumultuous world, what does it mean to experience Jesus' peace? Through Simeons prophecy and Marys treasuring of Jesus birth, Senior Minister Megan Curlis-Gibson reflects on how the presence of Christ offers the greatest treasure: peace with God that transcends understanding. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

Part 2 from Deep Creek.

Today, we look at profound peace beyond expectation in this Christmas message by Senior Minister Megan Curlis-Gibson. Reflecting on Luke 2:1-14, this sermon reveals how the angels proclamation to the shepherds invites us all to experience a lasting peace through Jesuspeace with God, within ourselves, and with others. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

Voice of The People Podcast out in Deep Creek, listen in on today's topic.

Episode 401- "Christmas Edition Deep Creek Pt. 1" by Jerome

Senior Minister Megan Curlis-Gibson unpacks Zechariahs prophecy and its fulfilment in Jesus, who guides us toward peace. We'll reflect on themes of preparation, pace, purpose and how true peace is found in the person of Christ. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

Thelma “Polly” Melton, 58, disappeared on September 25, 1981, while hiking the Deep Creek Trail in North Carolina with friends Trula Gudger and Pauline "Red" Cannon. Born February 26, 1923, in Alabama, Polly was known for her friendly and intelligent demeanor and had lived with her husband, Robert Melton, in an Airstream trailer near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park each fall. On the day of her disappearance, Polly, a heavy smoker with health issues, walked ahead of her friends, vanished over a hill, and was never seen again. Search efforts revealed no signs of a struggle, though her scent was detected briefly on a tree. Authorities speculated she may have left the park voluntarily by vehicle, as her personal belongings, including ID, medication, and money, were left behind. Months later, a check made out to Polly was cashed in Alabama, fueling theories she started a new life. Despite reported sightings, her fate remains a mystery.Ossuary 6 - Air Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Contact us at: weeknightmysteries@gmail.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeknightmysteriesTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeknightmysteries

Due to some unexpected circumstances, I was unable to get an episode out this week. However, our friends, Lori and Jen at Dealing Justice have just dropped a new season and they were gracious enough to share their first episode from Season 3 with us! Fourteen-year-old Anthony Lamar Peterson went missing during the summer of 2005 while visiting family in Palatka, Florida.  Days later, his unrecognizable body was found floating in Deep Creek, just miles from where he was last seen. In a bizarre twist, Anthony's remains would go unidentified for months, leaving his mother to search the small rural town in vain for her only son. Want more Dealing Justice? Listen on Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dealing-justice/id1504742935 On Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5O1nosWMRJcNMaFGIex5GQ?si=5aec44f5a7664bd0 Or Search Dealing Justice wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill is back from his family trip to Deep Creek where his daughter lost her phone to the waters and a bridesmaid trip was in dire straights after the bride also lost her engagement ring to the lake.

Bill's wild trip to Deep Creek, Raiding the Algorithm, Alan Saunders, and more.

Pam Houston is the author of the memoir, Deep Creek: Finding Hope In The High Country, as well as two novels and a collection of essays. We revisit our conversation from September 2021.

The world's woods are filled with innumerable dangers: from ravenous carnivores and rabid animals to snake bites, ticks, falling rocks, hidden cliffs or plain old getting lost and dying of thirst… the list goes on and on. But for all of the familiar ways the forest and its denizens can do us harm, it seems there are ominous unknown things that dwell in the shadows of the deep woods that are capable of doing so much worse than we ever imagined. The Cryptonaut Podcast Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/cryptonautpodcast  The Cryptonaut Podcast Merch Stores:Cryptonautmerch.com - Hellorspace.com  Stay Connected with the Cryptonaut Podcast: Website - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube  

Come join us on this intimate trip to DEEP CREEK, its some of our first times out here and for some we frequent this small little town tucked away in Maryland. On this particular occasion Pootie put together a trip for his wife Tynisha who lost her voice during our stay, due to drinking and yelling (all in fun). We sit down and discuss our our time out there as well relationships with one another. its a really great episode where we get in touch with our emotions and (possible water works). Tune and let us know what you think and dont forget to subscribe to all things Unprivileged Drinkers!!!!! Drink --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unprivileged-drinkers/support

HAPPY 30th Episode!Well, if you count all of our bonus episodes, it's 38 episodes total.We started this little side project in October of 2021 to share the spirit of Deep Creek and Garrett County, MD and our love for this far western Maryland area that we call "home." We sat on living room couches and interviewed friends. We talked about local events, the four seasons, hunting, kids, farming, slowing down, and we even recorded ourselves indulging in microgreens!Along with all the fun and joy we experienced while making this podcast, there was also a lot of time, work and money required to make it happen. We both have other things we need to focus on - family, jobs, time with friends, other projects, maybe even other podcasts.  So it's time to pause. For now, this is our last episode. We've so very much enjoyed bringing this project to Deep Creek and Garrett County, MD and beyond. THANK YOU for these past 2+ years. Thank you for saying hi to us when we were out and about. Thank you for sending in voice memos. Thank you for interviewing with us and sitting on those couches. Thank you for listening!And an extra special THANK YOU goes out to those who financially supported us through sponsorship: Appalachian Print StudioCashmere Clothing CoDeep Creek Lavender FarmGarrett County Celtic FestivalMeadow Mountain HempNarrows Hill - Ultimate Maps of Deep Creek Lake and Garrett CountyRailey Design Furniture and Home DecorSilver Tree MarineTraders Coffee HouseThe episodes will stay active for a short time, so we hope you'll continue enjoying them. Some of our favorites? The farmer series from spring of 2022, interview with Maryland Governor candidate Laura Neuman, and talking careers, COVID and kids with Terah Crawford all the way back in fall of 2021.For more information about us, the Mountain Maryland Mamas: Instagram: @mtnmarylandmamasFacebook: www.facebook.com/mountainmarylandmamasWe launched our podcast using Buzzsprout and the community has been amazing.  If you're curious about starting your own podcast, Buzzsprout is definitely the way to go!

 Laws talks of dogs that were white with brindle spots, he talks of the most famous of the Plott family hunters, Von Plott, keeping Airedales and he speaks of a hunter that was afraid of bears. In this episode Laws gives advice on how to kill bears over dogs, talks about senility in hounds using his own favorite best hound he ever followed, the infamous Troop of his daddy's. The tenacity of the Smoky Mountain bear hunter comes to the front in this episode as James relates a story of hunters that chose to follow the hounds as opposed to manning a “stand” to kill the bear as was the popular method of the day.  There's a story of a big bear that took eight shots to kill on Deep Creek, another of the drainages along with Hazel, Noland and Fourney that drained the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains.The tale of the death of two outstanding bear dogs by their owners while attempting to kill their bear is a strong lesson for anyone that aspires to hunt bears with hounds.Enough writing about it.  Give this episode a listen and you will agree with Stewart Biesecker that it would have indeed been grand to have lived and hunted in the days James Oliver Laws remembered so very well. 

Laws talks of dogs that were white with brindle spots, he talks of the most famous of the Plott family hunters, Von Plott, keeping Airedales and he speaks of a hunter that was afraid of bears. In this episode Laws gives advice on how to kill bears over dogs, talks about senility in hounds using his own favorite best hound he ever followed, the infamous Troop of his daddy's. The tenacity of the Smoky Mountain bear hunter comes to the front in this episode as James relates a story of hunters that chose to follow the hounds as opposed to manning a “stand” to kill the bear as was the popular method of the day.  There's a story of a big bear that took eight shots to kill on Deep Creek, another of the drainages along with Hazel, Noland and Fourney that drained the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains.The tale of the death of two outstanding bear dogs by their owners while attempting to kill their bear is a strong lesson for anyone that aspires to hunt bears with hounds.Enough writing about it.  Give this episode a listen and you will agree with Stewart Biesecker that it would have indeed been grand to have lived and hunted in the days James Oliver Laws remembered so very well. 

Aotearoa's craft beer industry is hoping for a profitable summer as it continues to wrestle with high brewing costs. A fourth craft beer business has hit major financial trouble this week as importer and distributor Beertique is in liquidation. It follows Deep Creek, which is also in liquidation, and Brothers Beer which is in voluntary administration. Meanwhile beer fans say they're finding it harder to afford their favourite crafties, as the cost of living bites. Felix Walton has more. Note: Epic brewery was in liquidation but is now under new ownership.

Today's show opens with Arica's recent hunting expenditures. It's been a little slow go but on a recent hunt for the first time ever she heard a buck grunting coming through the woods. Heart pounding excitement kicked in as she heard him coming closer through the woods. A doe walked right past her so she's super excited waiting on this buck to come right through where the doe did. The buck grunting edges closer through the woods and finally comes to light – unfortunately it's a button buck!! She sat for a while longer when she heard some more rustling coming through the woods, make sure to tune into this episode sponsored by GunBroker.com! Next up Brayden talks about his recent hunting trip with Phil on a private farm that really just wants them to take some deer off of it. After tree hopping for a while he finally got settled in when not long after he got a text from Phil that a buck was coming across the field. Brayden drug some Tink's 69 on the way in and Phil's buck came in right on a line following the trail. Phil let an arrow fly on this buck and got a good blood trail to start with. Unfortunately, it started to dry up as the trail went on, all the way up to a neighboring property. He let it set overnight and after connecting with the land owner next door he continued his search but unfortunately came up empty handed. Jacob covers a whole week of outdoor stories that he's had the pleasure to collect here lately. His first story goes in depth of him chasing whitetail during bow season. The absolute perfect scenario comes to fruition with a really nice 8-point working a scrape line directly up to him. He drew back and…you'll have to tune in to this episode to hear exactly what happened! He also spent some time in North Carolina on a fishing trip at Deep Creek in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. They had some awesome success starting with a nice brown trout and a few smaller ones as well. Fishing clear water creeks, he got some awesome fishing knocked out on this trip with some real trophy fish being reeled in. Circling back to whitetail he goes over his exciting weekend back chasing whitetail during rifle opener. Closing out Derek dives into his recent hunting expenditures chasing whitetail. He let a really solid buck walk on opening day that he's hoping he doesn't regret later in the season. He gives a great description of his hunting spot to set the scene on just how close he let this deer walk for a second time a few days later! After spending some time watching a small forky chasing a doe back and forth a real nice buck makes his appearance. Make sure to tune in to this episode to hear how his hunt turned out!  If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a rate and review!!  [UNCENSORED] by GoWild kicks off your week with shameful nonsense, inappropriate convictions, and unfiltered tales from the woods, waters and whatevers. [UNCENSORED] is a behind the scenes look at our adventures, failures, wins, embarrassing moments at trade shows, hilarious tales from the warehouse, and a good rant or three about the most recent tyranny from the Dark Lord of the Sith himself. The show launches every Monday morning. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. JOIN GOWILD AND GET $10: http://downloadgowild.com Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's show opens with Arica's recent hunting expenditures. It's been a little slow go but on a recent hunt for the first time ever she heard a buck grunting coming through the woods. Heart pounding excitement kicked in as she heard him coming closer through the woods. A doe walked right past her so she's super excited waiting on this buck to come right through where the doe did. The buck grunting edges closer through the woods and finally comes to light – unfortunately it's a button buck!! She sat for a while longer when she heard some more rustling coming through the woods, make sure to tune into this episode sponsored by GunBroker.com!Next up Brayden talks about his recent hunting trip with Phil on a private farm that really just wants them to take some deer off of it. After tree hopping for a while he finally got settled in when not long after he got a text from Phil that a buck was coming across the field. Brayden drug some Tink's 69 on the way in and Phil's buck came in right on a line following the trail. Phil let an arrow fly on this buck and got a good blood trail to start with. Unfortunately, it started to dry up as the trail went on, all the way up to a neighboring property. He let it set overnight and after connecting with the land owner next door he continued his search but unfortunately came up empty handed.Jacob covers a whole week of outdoor stories that he's had the pleasure to collect here lately. His first story goes in depth of him chasing whitetail during bow season. The absolute perfect scenario comes to fruition with a really nice 8-point working a scrape line directly up to him. He drew back and…you'll have to tune in to this episode to hear exactly what happened! He also spent some time in North Carolina on a fishing trip at Deep Creek in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. They had some awesome success starting with a nice brown trout and a few smaller ones as well. Fishing clear water creeks, he got some awesome fishing knocked out on this trip with some real trophy fish being reeled in. Circling back to whitetail he goes over his exciting weekend back chasing whitetail during rifle opener.Closing out Derek dives into his recent hunting expenditures chasing whitetail. He let a really solid buck walk on opening day that he's hoping he doesn't regret later in the season. He gives a great description of his hunting spot to set the scene on just how close he let this deer walk for a second time a few days later! After spending some time watching a small forky chasing a doe back and forth a real nice buck makes his appearance. Make sure to tune in to this episode to hear how his hunt turned out! If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a rate and review!! [UNCENSORED] by GoWild kicks off your week with shameful nonsense, inappropriate convictions, and unfiltered tales from the woods, waters and whatevers. [UNCENSORED] is a behind the scenes look at our adventures, failures, wins, embarrassing moments at trade shows, hilarious tales from the warehouse, and a good rant or three about the most recent tyranny from the Dark Lord of the Sith himself.The show launches every Monday morning. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.JOIN GOWILD AND GET $10:http://downloadgowild.comCheck out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

There's been some high profile business failures this week, with online supermarket operator Supie and Deep Creek brewery going into liquidation. But new data out suggests they're not alone.