Marching Forth!

While preparing for a sermon this week, I was reminded of an occasion years ago when someone came to me with a question.  It was apparent he was looking for a particular answer that I did not give him, for he immediately went to another believer and asked their opinion on what the Bible said concerning a topic of interest.  It seemed he wanted to use the Bible to affirm his convictions so he could have the backing of Scripture to impose a rule that forbade his employees from having tattoos.  I suspect when I have been asked questions about the Bible, many times there have been ulterior motives that were not freely disclosed, and often hypothetical questions raised are personal questions in disguise. These thoughts all flooded into my mind when I read a chapter in the Gospel of Mark today.  One observation that always amuses me is how many times the Pharisees posed a question to Jesus' disciples about Jesus rather than asking Him directly.  The disciples of Jes...

" For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect ." 1 Corinthians 1:17 At Bible study last night, we discussed how the Jews sought a sign and the Greeks desired wisdom.  When Jesus came as the Saviour of the world the LORD provided both of these things and much more, yet God coming as a human being, dying on the cross and rising again was not what they were looking for.  Paul did not seek appeal to people's minds with the use of clever oration, for he preached Jesus Christ crucified which seemed like foolishness to Jews and Greeks--but is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.  It is not slick arguments or persuasive words that possess power to transform the hearts of lost sinners, but simple faith in Jesus Christ can and does. Paul's statement suggests it is possible to place our faith in ourselves, our manner of presentation or our own wisdom rather than r...

Though I have lived in Australia a relatively short time compared to people who have lived their whole lives here, I have seen a number of significant changes.  I have watched as urban sprawl has swallowed up my old neighbourhood, and I have enjoyed the benefit of better public transportation using the Metro in western Sydney.  One of the biggest changes I see constantly is costs continue to rise as government, council and business try to squeeze maximum profit from consumers.  While wages remain unchanged, the cost of rates, taxes, insurance and food continues to increase.  The other day I saw chocolate offered at Woolies at half price for $18, and I remember only a few years ago $18 was full price .  As the cost has gone up, the amount purchased has also diminished 16%!  While the cost of a bag of coffee beans went down less than 10%, the amount of beans also shrunk a whopping 30%. When we begin to feel the pinch of the cost of living increases when we fi...

Many Hollywood film adaptations of written works have been wildly popular and successful.  In many cases, like with the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies or Narnia films, there seems to always be "purists" who are known for expressing disdain for changes made by a director in storytelling.  They do not like how the modern portrayal of characters can deviate greatly from the author's intent or new characters or conflicts are introduced which do not appear in the original books.  When novels and plays are adapted in our modern day, stripping away critical elements from a classic can feel like betrayal for financial gain or to advance a political agenda. I have not watched the recent adaptation of The Odyssey , and the director in an interview made it clear the film was an adaptation of the original.  Lately I have wondered if it is more likely to enjoy an film adaptation when you have never read the book because there are no points for comparison, no expect...

As the Light of the World, Jesus did not come to the earth to leave mankind in darkness.  In a parable Jesus told, He asserted no one brought a burning lamp into a room to hide it under a basket or bed.  The whole point of bringing a lamp or candle in the room was to place it where the light would shine and be seen.  Like one who brought a light into a room to illuminate, Jesus taught using parables to reveal truth to those who followed Him as it says in  Mark 4:33-34 :  " And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.  34  But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples ."  Unbelievers only heard Jesus tell a story, yet through parables disciples of Jesus had God's word revealed to them as Jesus expounded His word. This intention of God to reveal Himself and His righteous ways to mankind did not begin with the coming of Jesus Christ.  ...

" If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  25   And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand ." Mark 3:24-25 When scribes from Jerusalem made light of the miraculous deliverance Jesus wrought when He cast out demons, claiming Jesus cast out demons by the power of Satan, Jesus gave a simple illustration to show how ridiculous and foolish this claim was.  If Satan drove out demons, he would be actively undermining and destroying his own kingdom.  Before too long, he wouldn't have a kingdom, authority or subjects at all!  When a homeowner knows he is being robbed, he will rise and defend his household and property:  he will not gag or tie himself up and sit quietly in a corner.  To bind him requires someone stronger than himself, and Jesus is infinitely more powerful than Satan. Today I meditated upon the principle Jesus held forth in these verses concerning kingdoms and houses, that if divided against its...