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I’m delighted to begin a sermon series in the book of Ruth this coming Sunday. Ruth is a fabulous short story with a big message. On a quick read it could be viewed as just a love story, but when read with the original context in mind we learn that it’s a story about God and how he restores those who look to him with hope. It’s a story about God's faithfulness which contributes to the overall covenantal storyline of the Bible as a whole. It is also relevant to us today as it shows how God works in the everyday events in the lives of his people.
The story begins with highlighting the Judges theme of Israel and their need for a king. It explores the misery and emptiness that a family experienced during that dark time in history. All the males of a particular Israelite family who had left Bethlehem sadly died in Moab, leaving Naomi without a male relative to care for her. Naomi returns to Bethlehem with Ruth the Moabite who chooses to be loyal to Yahweh and Naomi. In Bethlehem, Ruth works hard gleaning in fields to support Naomi and there she meets Boaz. Boaz was a man of character and a kinsman redeemer for the family. Naomi plans to join Ruth and Boaz for good outcomes. She sends Ruth to present herself (as a woman of character) to Boaz at the threshing floor and Boaz says he will seek to redeem Naomi's family. Boaz marries Ruth, exhibiting his loyalty to God, his commandments, and his family. Naomi’s life is restored to all fullness when a son is born to Ruth and Boaz, continuing Naomi’s family line. This son would also become an ancestor of King David and the promised Messiah. Thus, we can see how this story fits in the bigger biblical narrative. Through it we can also see how God is at work in the day-to-day challenges we all face, such as death, moving, lack of financial resources, family responsibilities, and how he can bring redemption to each of our lives. It encourages us to view our day-to-day lives as part of God’s bigger plan for our lives and world. As we study it together, may we all become more fully aware of God's great big love for us and be encouraged to put our hope in him to get us through our darkest times. I hope you enjoy the sermon series. Yours in Christ, Rev. Tanya Cummings
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This Sunday we celebrate our mothers and say "Happy Mothers' Day" to all the mums.
Mother's Day isn't always a happy day for some. For some mothers or women who never became mothers and would have liked to, it can be a hard day. Thanks be to God, for giving us all a spiritual family in the church to make up for any lack in our lives. Hopefully we all have spiritual mothers in the family of God. Jesus told his disciples that whoever does the will of God is his brother and sister and mother (Matthew 12:48-50). He also told his disciples that whoever leaves their earthly family in order to follow him will receive 100 times as much as they gave up, in this life and in eternal life (Matthew 19:29). In Christ we have such a big family. We will do well to bless them and show our appreciation for them, as well as our own families of origin this Sunday. Who will you thank for being a spiritual mother, father, brother or sister in the Lord? God bless you and your earthly families too. Yours in Christ, Rev. Tanya Cummings I never get tired of Easter Services. I delight in coming back to the cross in such an intentional way at this special time of year. I remember when the death and resurrection of Christ first made real sense to me in a deep and meaningful way. I was reading "The Romans Road to Salvation" which explains the good news of salvation using verses from the Book of Romans. It is a simple yet powerful method of explaining why we need salvation, how God provided salvation, how we can receive salvation and the results of salvation. It serves as a great tool for evangelism, offering a clear and concise way to explain the Christian faith, so I thought I'd share it with you. Hopefully you'll have opportunity to share it with someone soon.
The Roman Road. Human Problem - Sin Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" This verse tells us that all people have sinned and thus fall short of God's glorious standard. The Consequence of Sin Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." This highlights the consequences of sin - death, which means eternal separation from God. However, it also introduces the solution - the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ. The Solution - Christ's Sacrifice Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his love for us, in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Despite our sins, God demonstrated His love for us through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died in our place. The Response - Faith Romans 10:9 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ—by confessing Him as Lord and believing in His resurrection. The Assurance of Salvation Romans 10:13 - "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." This verse assures us that anyone who calls on the name of Jesus Christ for salvation will be saved. The Result of Salvation - Peace with God Romans 5:1 - "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are justified and have peace with God, signifying a restored relationship with Him. Living in the Spirit Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." This verse emphasizes that those who are in Christ are not condemned but live according to the Spirit, leading a life transformed by their faith. When I first understood these verses, a light went on, I was assured of my faith, which transformed my life by the power of the Holy Spirit. I have known these verses to be true. Let's pray many more will experience salvation in Christ for themselves through our Easter journey to the cross on Good Friday, or through Alpha after Easter, or through you sharing the Good News of salvation with them, perhaps using the Romans Road. May God's Spirit work in and through us in a powerful way this Easter time. See you at one of our services. Rev Tanya. Hebrews describes the Word - the Scriptures - as being 'alive and active' and they are. The Spirit brings to mind the words we need reminding of, the hope that we need to keep clinging to, and our incredible God who made everything and loves his people. As I hiked up mountains in the South Island of New Zealand and looked at the incredible scenery all around me, just a couple of weeks ago, I had these words from Psalm 121:1-2 on repeat in my brain:
"I lift my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." That Psalm continues on to share the wonders of our loving, kind, caring God who watches over his people, protecting and guiding us along the way. It's a Psalm of comfort and hope when God's people are struggling or unsure of things. Fast forward a thousand+ years and the apostle Peter writes of even more hope that God has given us in his Son, Jesus. A Living Hope through the resurrection of Jesus because he is alive! This passage, 1 Peter 1:3-7 is one of my all-time favourite passages that God has used many times when I've been suffering or questioning in times of trial. They have been the words I've needed to hear to give a reason for my experience, and to give me hope in them. These words have offered an eternal perspective and lifted my eyes to God's point of view to see the vast span of his plans for me and for all believers, enabling the perseverance required to keep walking the Christian faith and to experience the joy that comes from breathing in this living hope. I can't wait to share this with you on Sunday! What passages does the Spirit bring to you to remind you of the hope we have in Jesus? This week we also share in our living hope as we bear witness in three(!) baptisms and commit to journeying with them in faith. Come ready to celebrate the hope we have in Jesus together! Amy What are you waiting for?
How patiently, expectantly, hopefully, are you waiting? Simeon was waiting to see God's promised Messiah. Many others in Jerusalem had given up. They lived in such a broken world, full of unfulfilled hopes and desires. They were weary of waiting for the arrival of One who would make everything right. The Jews felt like captives in their own city. Jerusalem was run by the Romans, who were often greedy and corrupt in collecting taxes and meddled with the religious practices. By this time, Israel had been tyrannized by idolatrous, violent empires for 700 years. For 400 of those years God had been silent. It seemed like the mighty works of God were in the past and only a faint echo remained. Many doubted whether they ever actually happened. They wondered; If God was so good, why was He so distant‚ so silent? In this setting, Simeon waited in hope, in faith, in the spirit. He waited for the Christ whom God had promised to show him before he died. He trusted God and waited for God's promise to be fulfilled. When Simeon finally encountered the Christ child, he spoke words of good news which have offered renewed hope to all who are weary and waiting. In Luke 2 verse 32 Simeon says that salvation in Christ is, “prepared in the presence of all peoples,” is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Jesus is both the consolation of Israel that Simeon had waited for and the revelation of God’s salvation to all the nations of the earth. In Jesus, God’s promise to restore Israel is fulfilled. And in Jesus, God’s promise to bless “all the families of the earth” through Abraham is fulfilled. He is the one to fulfill all our hopes. Some of us may have grown weary in trusting God and waiting for Him to act on our behalf. So, I hope you'll be encouraged by Simeon's story to look to Jesus and wait for him by faith, wait in the spirit, and wait for Christ's return with hopeful anticipation. He will make all things right in the end. We must remember that God is not slow to act, as some understand slowness. He came in “the fullness of time” (Gal 4:4), and he will come again “on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). So, let us wait in hope, by faith, in the Spirit, for Christ. Until he comes again. Good things come to those who wait. Rev Tanya Relationships are important. Our relationship with God is of utmost importance. This relationship needs to be nurtured with time spent in God's word, talking with him and listening (in prayer), thinking about him, and getting to know him more closely, loving him more and receiving his love, and learning to trust and depend on him fully.
The psalms we have been reading in our Hope 25 Lenten Study help us to do this. The relationship that the psalmists have with God inspires us to deepen our relationship with God and trust him for our relationships with others. So, keep enjoying the psalms this week and be encouraged in our relationships with God and others. I always say, when we love God the most, we love others the best. Next week, beginning with Adam Copeland preaching this Sunday, we will look at the theme of HOPE in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah’s message is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. It offers us a beacon of hope and a reminder of God’s ever-present strength and care. I pray we will take comfort in God's words to us and allow them to rejuvenate our spirits, strengthen our faith, and fill us with encouragement and hope in all our circumstances. I wonder where you have found comfort and hope in God's word this week. With whom will you gently share the comfort and hope you have found in God’s unfailing promises? In Christ, Rev Tanya In difficult times such as these, we want to hear Deuteronomy’s promise that God will make us abundantly prosperous in our undertakings. Josh Mackenzie (CMS missionary) brought us a wonderful message from Deut 28:1-14 last week; beginning our “Hope in God’s Promises” sermon series.
This Sunday’s reading, Psalm 25, leads us to pause and contemplate what it means to prosper in God. Psalm 25 is not an expression of gratitude for a windfall (financial prosperity), but a heartfelt prayer of lament, trust and hope in God. To prosper in God is to adopt a stance in life that is embodied and embedded in prayer. “To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,” the psalmist declares (25:1). To lift up one’s soul to God means to lift up one’s hands in an outstretched position in prayer. The gesture signifies holding one’s conscious identity, one’s life, outstretched to God in sole and complete dependence upon God and God’s help. To pray, “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul” is a synonym for ‘In you I trust’ (verse 2) … and ‘I wait for you’ (verses 3-5, 21). To prosper in God is to own and acknowledge one’s utter dependence upon God. The soul lifted up to the Lord and set squarely on God trusts in God’s saving power and everlasting covenant and God’s teaching. So, if we are to be prosperous in Him, we must seek God’s guidance and follow His ways even if they are challenging and contradict what we understand it means to prosper. Through this psalm we are reminded that God’s instruction comes from prayer rather than study, from God rather than human wisdom and human teachers. To prosper in God is to trust God enough to receive His help and mercy. Prospering in God comes from actively trusting in God and eagerly longing for God’s response. Therefore, I encourage you to take on the same stance as the psalmist; bring your life before him, pray to God, actively acknowledge your utter dependence upon Him, and receive His help and guidance in every circumstance. No one who hopes and trusts in God will ever be put to shame (verse 3). May you remember that God is good, all the time! Yours in Christ, Rev Tanya Yesterday was International Women's Day and I had the privilege of attending a breakfast at Mornington Racecourse where I heard Hayley Cull speak. Hayley is the Deputy CEO of Plan International Australia, a leading humanitarian organisation focused on child rights and girls' equality. She spoke about the power of "Hope" in the lives of children and girls in extremely challenging situations. Hope is powerful!
In this broken, hurting world, we all need hope. The surest hope we can have is in the promises of God. They do not change. They are a sure foundation for building a more positive future. This is good news for the whole world, and we hope this year, many more people will hear about the Hope that is found in Jesus Christ. The Mackenzie family know and seek to share this hope with people they live among in the Northern Territory. They will share a little bit about their work with CMS this coming Sunday then Josh Mackenzie will bring a message from Deuteronomy 28:1-14. May we all find hope in God's promises in this passage and all of scripture. We have a God who keeps his promises. He gives us hope in a broken world. I hope to see you on Sunday, Blessings, Rev Tanya Life is full of warnings and encouragements!
I got the news today that my dad has had a heart attack and will be flown to Melbourne from Albury tonight to have an operation in the morning. It has been a scare for him and me, but it is apparently a routine procedure for hospital staff. When we get through this tough time, we will likely see it as a warning (They say!?). In contrast, this morning in Wednesday Church, we heard our own dear Margaret speak words of encouragement from God's promises in his word, which we know are true and hold to dearly in the tough times. Scripture is full of real-life stories we can all relate to, even though they were written so long ago. I've often read the letters Paul wrote to the seven churches referred to in the book of Revelation and wondered what God would say to our Church today. In those letters there are words of warning and words of encouragement, meant to edify and grow the believers and the Church as a whole. This Sunday we will look at the gifts given to the church for its growth and edification as listed in Ephesians 4:1-16. It lists Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers as people sent to equip God's people for works of service. John Shanasy who is gifted with words of knowledge and prophecy will bring a message that I expect will both warn and encourage us as any prophetic word ought to. Please join us on Sunday, full of the Holy Spirit and ready to test this word and receive what God has for us. In Christ, Rev Tanya Last December on my prayer retreat I asked God for a word for the Church for 2025. As I sat looking at a new young green shoot of a plant swaying in the breeze, I sensed God gave me the word "regenerate" (meaning Growth and New Life). I was reminded of a song my mission team and I sang all through Africa 10 years ago; "This is what you do" by Bethel music. You might like to listen HERE.
We know people grow when they have the right balance of support and challenge. And I believe this year will be a year of regeneration (new life and growth) for our church community. I'm not talking just about numerical growth but more so about the growth and renewing of each one of us. God calls us to grow in Him. I guess that's why God allows challenges in our lives, and also surrounds us with supportive fellow Chistian's, providing the right environment to grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream. Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:1-8 tell us we are to be like trees planted by streams of water that remain fruitful and vibrant even in adverse conditions. These passages provide this vivid metaphor for the life of someone who places their trust in God. These people are grounded in the spiritual nourishment that comes from a relationship with God. And just as the tree spreads its roots toward the river, a person who trusts in God extends their life toward His presence and grace, drawing strength and sustenance from Him. This root system enables us to grow and flourish and bear fruit even in challenging times. This year I hope you will join me in cultivating a closer, personal relationship with God through regular prayer, reading scripture, engaging in worship, fellowship with other believers, and depending on God for your/our needs. As we do so, our lives will be marked by continuous growth and fruitfulness. May we increasingly display the fruits of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, and kindness, and make a positive impact in our communities and relationships. This will be our focus for this Sunday's sermon as I share more on this vision and the direction which I believe God is leading us this year. Hope you can join us. Rev Tanya |
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