Godly Dead Guy #3 John Newton

John Newton (1725-1807) Slave trader turned Preacher, penned 'Amazing Grace' to express his gratitude for God's mercy.

Reflecting back on his life he observed, "when I think about heaven I am amazed at three things: first, there I will see some I didn't expect; Second, I will not see some I expected to see; And lastly, that I myself will be there."

Amazing Grace!

200 years ago on 23 February 1807, the slave trade was abolished in the British Empire.

Watch out for the movie "Amazing Grace" which captures the story of John Newton and William Wilberforce and their role in the abolition of slavery! Release 7 Jun 2007

http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/

"They will see the Son of Man coming..."

Some of the disciples of Jesus were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. Chapter 21:1-38 is an extended conversation between Jesus and his disciples...


Jesus provokes them in their adoration of the Temple and says, "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."

"Teacher when will these things be...?"

Jesus responds by directing them to the near future and the far future:

1. The Near future: The destruction of Jerusalem 70AD

"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near... There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The destruction of Jerusalem is a judgement on the city which Jesus has anticipated in 19:41-44 "they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation"

In 70AD general Titus besieged Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple. What do we learn of Jesus' prophetic insight? How does that comfort us for his other promises?

The near future is a forunner for the far future.

2. The Far future: The coming of the Son of Man ??AD

Jesus moves from the near future to the far future.

"At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Jesus applies Daniel's vision of the Son of Man to himself 7:13-18

Our creeds remind us

"He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come agian to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end"


How should we respond now to the future yet to come ?

a. Don't be led astray for many will come in my name V.8 ...

b. Stand firm, and you will win life not a hair of your head will perish. V.19

c. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. V.36"

Don't be led astray, Stand Firm, Watch, Pray... the Son of Man is coming!

GP

Men's Breakfast: The Aussie Blokes Guide to Godliness

A Reminder for St. Matt's Blokes

We invite you to a men's breakfast

17th March, 2007, 8:00am at St. Matt's

"The Aussie Blokes Guide to Godliness"

RSVP: Church office 9381 2640 or email office@stmattsshentonpark.org.au

Go the Force

Go the Force.....

Am I allowed to post such things ?

Godly Dead Guys #2 John G. Paton

Resurrection, Cannibals and Worms

John G. Paton was a keen Christian from Scotland in the mid 1800's. When he was planning to go as a missionary to the New Hebrides, Where cannibalism was still practised by the indigenous population. An older Christian mentor warned him "You will be eaten by cannibals!"

To which John G. replied "Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can live and die serving and honouring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by Worms; and in the Great Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our Risen Redeemer."

Resurrection Hope !

Word Alive #2 He is not the God of the dead...

A Tricky Sadducee Question

"Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?"

An Authoritative Answer

Jesus replied,

"The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels.

They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection."

Notice two things about Jesus' answer concerning the Resurrection Life ...

1. The Discontinuity of the Resurrection Life

In the resurrection life there will be no marriage and no death.

No marriage because all relationships will experience the intimacy of the ideal earthly marriage.

The earthly marriage is a symbol of the relationship the Risen Lord Jesus will have with his bride the Church...

No Death because the death and resurrection of Jesus conquered death and secure an eternal life free from the consequences of sin and death! "Where O Death is your Sting!"

2. The Continuity of the Resurrection Life

Jesus continues...

"But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."

The resurrection life begins Now !

Moses, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are living it Now !

Authentic Christianity is about living the Resurrection Life Now, in the light of it's final consummation at the return of Jesus.

How does this teaching on the Resurrection Life change the way we think

and change the way we live ?

Some of the teachers of the law responded,

"Well said, teacher!" And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

"It was the resurrection we had to have" something Paul Keating didn't say!

Planning St. Matt's for 2017

AN INVITATION TO ST MATTHEW’S MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Dear Friends,
I am writing to invite you to a Planning Day on Saturday 24 February from 9:30am—1pm to think about the ministry of St Matthew’s over the next ten years. In last year’s Annual Report I expressed my intention that St Matthew’s engage in a process of planning and praying about our ministry into the future. At that time, the ministry team had already commenced such a process and since then the Parish Council, at its monthly meeting, has done the same. Additionally, a group of 50 ministry leaders from all four congregations met for a half day in October 2006.
I am now extending an open invitation to all members of St Matthew’s to join the conversation. On Saturday 24 February we will meet at the church to explain the four ‘scenarios’ outlined in last year’s Annual Report.

My goals for the day are:
* inform and engage a cross section of St Matt’s members with the material in the booklet “St Matthew’s 2016” * consider the implications of developing the ministry of St Matt’s in the ways described in the booklet
* identify the key issues and questions that need to be addressed in order to decide our future direction
Please take a copy of the booklet “St Matthew’s 2016” from the foyer and read through it in preparation for the day. It would also be helpful if you could let Shelley know that you will be attending (9381 2640).

The program will be as follows:
9:15 Arrive
9:30 Bible Study
9:45 The four models introduced
10:00 Workshops
11:00 Morning tea
11:30 Feedback from groups and plenary discussion (including break)
1:00 Finish

I very much look forward to sharing this day with you and planning and praying together over what the Lord might be pleased to do amongst us for the sake of his own Name. Please call Shelley on 9381 2640 to let her know whether you are able to attend. Please join with me in asking the Lord to guide and direct us so that “we might live not for ourselves, but for him who died for us and was raised from the dead” (2 Corinthians 5:15).
In Christ’s fellowship,

Kanishka Raffel