Podcasts about Deep Creek

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.

In this week's sermon, Leili reflects on Marys encounter with the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:26-38. Drawing parallels between Marys unexpected divine calling and our own lives, Leili explores how peace emerges when we trust God amidst uncertainty and challenges. Join us in reflecting on the Prince of Peace who brings light into our darkest moments, and lets prepare our hearts to receive His grace and peace as we anticipate Christmas. 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

In todays message, Rev. Pedram Shirmast explored Luke 1:525, reflecting on the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth and their faithful waiting amid uncertainty. Their journey highlights Gods faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, as seen in the miraculous birth of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for 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.

There are so many people of different backgrounds and ages in our neighbourhood who need to find refreshing faith in Jesus - so what does God wants to say to us as we enter 2025? In this Vision Sunday message, Megan discusses the past year at Deep Creek and our vision for 2025: "God is really among you." 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.

Discover the profound invitation Jesus offers in this week's sermon by Dr. Chris Swann, as we explore the wedding at Cana in John 2 and the Sabbath rest in Genesis 2. Learn how Jesus resists the relentless demands of optimization culture, revealing God's desire for us to enter into joyful intimacy with Him. Through this rich biblical narrative, uncover how God's abundant love reframes our identity and purpose in a world obsessed with doing rather than being. 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.

This message was delivered as part of our special service for baptisms, confirmations and receptions into the church. Today, we reflect on the importance of taking this step in faith and what it means to live as Christ's ambassadors in the world. Centred on two encounters from Jesus' ministry, the message challenges us to see the Sabbath not as a burden, but as a gift of restoration, hope and joy. 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.

Senior Minister Megan concludes our powerful series, diving into the challenges of unity in our divided world. Reflecting on Pauls words to the Thessalonian church, Megan explores how the church can be a beacon of togetherness amid societal fractures, tribalism, and global pressures. From personal care within the community to the spiritual glue that holds us together, she offers insights into being a church that thrives in unity, carrying hope for a broken world. Join us as we discover what it means to live as one in 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.

In todays sermon, The Comfort of the Lord's Coming, Megan explores the hope Christians have in Jesus promised return. Through 1 Thessalonians, were reminded that we can grieve with hope and live fully, knowing Christ will one day reunite all believers. This message challenges us to embrace each day with faith, love, and readiness for His return. Listen in to find comfort and motivation for living in light of eternity. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify or deepcreekanglican.com. 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.

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

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.

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.

This week In The Current, Pik gets an elk tag and unpacks the remainder of the Total Archery Challenge talk. Then Brad, Ryan and Estie tell us about their epic Deep Creek Lake excursion.  Esteban gets a new nickname for Father's Day  Check it out!!  Instagram: @rutandriverpursuits For more In The Currents go to https://rutandriverpursuits.com/