Rev Alan Robinson
Alan is a retired Uniting Church Minister living in Orange with his wife Sharyn. He has recently completed a series of four children’s picture books called ‘Grandpa’s Farm”.
The most repeated commandment in the Bible is in today’s Bible passage….”Don’t be afraid”.
Fear is at the heart of so much trouble, this produces anxiety and so many other reactions.
However, today we are assured that God knows each one of us and we are never alone.
Trust God with whatever your burdens may be – He cares for you and knows your needs.
Joseph was a carpenter of Nazareth. No words he spoke were ever recorded, but his life showed his characteristics.
He was an ordinary man, a spiritual man and a very obedient servant. Loving and wise and accepting of his role.
Even though his role as an earthly father was misunderstood and people were suspicious.
God continues to entrust Jesus to each of us in all situations.
Paul and Silas are in jail for doing a good deed, an earthquake strikes!
The Jailer – a gentile pagan, running a Roman Jail House and who arranges for floggings, is terrified.
The fearful Jailer, recognizes he needs to find a way out of the mess, and sees what Paul and Silas have as an answer.
He yields to putting his whole trust in Jesus and his whole life turns around.
John was God’s bulldozer! He prepared a road in the wilderness.
God chooses unlikely people in unlikely places to bring about his purposes.
‘Deserts’ for many people are very different places – places with guilt, disappointment, loss.
The way out of deserts is repentance then forgiveness, to bring about Grace and Peace.
Jesus knows no barriers of age, culture, wealth or religious status. He is in charge and his timing is perfect.
We can come to him anywhere, at any time, with our needs for ourselves or for others.
Our requests can be public or asked quietly and privately.
When we seem to be “at the end of of the rope” Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid, only believe”. Jesus gives hope to all.
William Barclay refers to this story as: ‘The Better of Two Bad Sons’, neither brings gratitude to the father – at first! Our religious knowledge and practice is not always consistent with our actions and attitudes. God looks for performance, “Show me what you can do in my vineyard” Despite all our failures, God’s offer of Grace is for everyone
The 2 disciples acted on what they were asked to do This provided the means for Jesus to claim unique kingship over Jerusalem and the world. We never know how God will use our obedience.
Jesus’ followers…forgive…serve others…speak up… intervene…because that is what they are called to do. When we follow Jesus, we need more faith to be consistent always in what He asks. ALL AGE MESSAGE Blessing of the animal Sunday: Animals like dogs, cats, horses and pigeons have received bravery awards for being ‘heroic’! The medals have a…
Mary gave her very best expensive perfume to show her love for Jesus. It was a free but costly gift that Jesus gave – his life, to show his love for us. ALL AGE MESSAGE When the ‘jar’ is broken open the sweet healing of Christ can be released. A broken ‘jar’ can transform…
Created in God’s image, can we find Theologian, Paul Tillich’s idea, “God is the Ground of our Being.”
