To 'Be' Like Jesus

Our goal is to imitate and reflect the Life of Jesus in our own. In other words, “to be like Jesus.”

The Apostle Simon Peter, in his second epistle wrote to those who through the righteousness of our Saviour Jesus Christ received precious faith. Simon Peter then opens with the following greeting, Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2. NIV.) According to Simon Peter an overflow of the life of faith is to live in grace and peace, and then desire this to be the reality in the life of every other individual you meet. This is a state of ‘being’, or imitating the life of Jesus Christ. It is not obedience to a set of laws, as set down by others. Although there seems to be individuals who work within God’s family, who are willing to call others to righteousness, while they are walking a path that is causing havoc in other people’s lives. In contrast the call remains, to ‘be’ a people of grace and peace, and a reflection of Jesus righteousness with everyone.

Jesus

Except for some Angels, the birth of the Messiah was a rather ‘matter of fact’ event for the people involved. The celebration of the Messiah’s birth is now a worldwide multi-million dollar event. Even for those who have no idea of who Jesus is.




Matthew 1:21 (NIV)
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Shepherds (2)

Sunday in worship we focused on the Shepherds who were told of the Messiah’s birth. So I thought that it would be good to ….. attached photo taken by Colin.

Gwyn spoke of the Shepherds and their birthing caves around Bethlehem, for their valuable lambs to be sold for the Temple Sacrifices. These lambs entered Jerusalem by the sheep gate.

Luke 2:20 (NIV)

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

In The Shadow

Herodium.
Herod’s fortified palace was built on the hill that had the top cut off. After the palace was built the earth was piled up against the walls to make a steep slope.

In the shadow of this palace, a King was born in Bethlehem.

What a contrast!


Luke 2:11-14 (NIV)
Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."

Ponder

O may we keep and ponder in our mind
God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind!
Trace we the babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From his poor manger to his bitter cross;
Tread in his steps, assisted by his grace,
Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place.
(John Byrom 1692-1763)




Luke 2:16-19 (NIV)

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Bethlehem

Luke 2:11-15 (NIV)
Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

Shepherds

Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Humility

I recall a man of God, who was upset in a situation where another person was asked to sing a solo. The main area that caused him so much pain was that, he had not preferred the other person to sing before himself. It was not that he was upset with the other person, or those who had made the choice. He was upset with his own feelings that challenged his humility. This led him to the foot of the cross, and the one who understood him.



Philippians 2:8 (NIV)
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

Alone

Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus seems quite empty in detail. As I meditate on this account, I feel an enormous sense of aloneness that Mary and Joseph must have felt. Joseph could have registered in the census without being accompanied by Mary who was almost at the point of delivering her child. Was life so difficult in their home community? Joseph could not leave Mary to suffer community ridicule alone, but continued to protect, and support her in every way possible. While they were in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son, wrapped him and placed him in a manger. There is a real sense of aloneness here. No family, no midwife, no community support.
Amazingly it was all part of the process of getting the right people in the right places, for the fulfilment of Micah’s (Micah 5:2) prophecy.



Luke 2:4-7 (NIV)
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Many People

Over the past two years we have restructured our Community Support Service. This has been of vital importance to assist people within our Community.
In the Financial Year 2006 ~ 2007 we saw 674 separate family units.
Last Financial Year 2007 ~ 2008 we saw 889 separate family units.
This Financial Year 2008 ~ 2009 we have seen 624 separate family units up to today, and as in previous Years, some of these families have been more than once.

Our Community Support Service strives to assist the genuine needs of the people in our Community. Much of what we have been able to achieve, has been through the generosity of others in our Community. For this we are most grateful.



Psalms 142:3-4 (NIV)
When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me. Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.

Reforming Society

We live in a society that has at large gone in directions that are at odds with the Word of God. One could say that society is unravelling because of these direction choices. In short our society needs to be reformed.

This is a task that has always been given to the people of God. We are to take a good look at ourselves, and respond to the world around us under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. Our societies are looking for answers, however they seem unaware that the restoration of lives and also societies, are part of having a relationship with God.

Let the people of God reflect the possibilities for our societies.



Revelation 3:17-18 (NIV)
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Witnesses For Christ

Sunday was the Commissioning & Ordination of the “Witnesses For Christ” Session. Others have responded to the call of God on their lives and are being obedient to that call to Officership within The Salvation Army.


1 Samuel 16:11-13 (NIV)
So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.