This letter gives us another secret to growth and change to those of us who are feeling a
little bit complacent. Maybe we feel a little more bored than blessed when we connect with church … Perhaps we feel a lot more attached to this world than we’d like - (who doesn’t struggle with that?) and looking us straight in the eye Jesus says - “I want you to see your need as you never have before. Then I’d be able to meet your need as I never have before.”
John writes this way to the church in Laodicea - “To the angel of the church of Laodicea write, ‘These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds that you’re neither cold nor hot … I wish that you were one or the other … But you don’t realise you’re wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you get from me gold refined in the fire so you can become rich and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness salve to put on your eyes so you can see.”
(Revelation 3:14 ff)
Not easy words from Jesus but they end with his remarkable promise - “Look! I am standing at the door and I’m constantly knocking. If anyone opens the door I will come in and I’ll fellowship with him; I’ll relate to him, I’ll dine with him and he’ll fellowship with me.” (Revelation 3:20 – Message)
When King Nebuchadnezzar is hammered by a recurring dream, he demands an interpretation from his top magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers. However it is a young Hebrew exile who explains that while earthly kingdoms come and go, the kingdom of the God of heaven will endure forever.
Join us this Sunday at 10am as we kick off 'Untamed’ a new teaching series on the book Daniel - what began as a national tragedy culminated in an inspiring story of heroic steadfastness in the face of deadly pressure to conform and compromise.
By historic circumstance or choice we find ourselves members of the Uniting Church which by its very name speaks of church unity.
We each come with our own life experiences; our family upbringing, our Christian faith experience, and our biblical understanding.
Without humility and repentance such differences can cause dissention and disunity, which is not what God wants His church to demonstrate to the world at large.
In John 17 v 20-23 we read Jesus prayer for the church as He moved toward His death on the cross.
20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
And the consequence of dwelling in unity is set out very clearly in Psalm 133 where we read;
1How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
2It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
3It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Do we here at CMP want to be blessed to be a blessing to others?
Then we need in all humility to repent where we have spoken out or acted in ways that do not promote true Christian unity.
Remember, when we live together in unity! the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Join us this ANZAC Day (Sunday 25th April) from 10am as we reflect on theme of sacrificial service. As well as remembering those who gave their lives in wartime, we will remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us to ensure that resurrection life is freely available to all.
Join us from 10am this Sunday morning as we explore the often misunderstood figure of the disciple Thomas. We will challenge ourselves to look afresh at his story, and ask what we can learn from his experience.
Join us Sunday 11th April @ 10am as we hear about
The Road to Emmaus.
Rabboni – Recognising the Risen Christ. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus followed by morning tea.
The veil was torn – a sombre service remembering Jesus’ death on the cross.
A reflective candlelit communion service and Tenebrae meditation.
We would love you to join our church family this Palm Sunday (28th March @ 10am) as we remember Jesus’ triumphal, yet humble, entry into Jerusalem seated on a donkey.
