Aghavea Parish Church

Acts 9 The idea of Saul “breathing out threats” suggests that his fury towards the Christian people was all-consuming in his life.  Such was his desire to “kill-off’ the early Christian church that he went to the High Priest and obtained letter to the leaders in the synagogues in Damascus to allow him to bring back the Christians as prisoners.  Saul is filled with a zeal that is all-consuming and irresistable – certainly someone that is determined to see this task through to its natural end. Saul’s conversion is probably one of the most extreme in Christian history.  Saul, the Christian church’s greatest threat, is personally touched by Jesus in his vision on the road to Damascus.  The “Damascus road experience” enters the vocabulary as a description of someone whose life has been completely reversed!   Blinded and fasting, he is lead by companions to Damascus – where he spends three days waiting.  Ananias was plac...

Acts 8 Stephen’s death proved to be the catalyst for further persecution on the church.  While many of the men who had killed Stephen had been seriously affected by their actions – one young man had been affected completely differently!  Saul, who had held the coats, took this as his opportunity to  begin his personal vendetta towards this new Christian movement within the Jewish faith he loved so dearly.  His actions spark the “Diaspora” – the evacuation of the Christians from Jerusalem to the far flung parts of the known world. As a result of the Diaspora, Philip (one of the deacons who had been ordained in the previous chapters) arrived in Samaria.  Philip is undeterred, and immediately starts to proclaim the Gospel in the main square.  His message was accompanied by great signs, miracles and healings.  Demons were exorcised, people were healed, and all this was accompanied by great joy. This new power...

Acts 7 The deacon, Stephen, has been arrested and accused of blasphemy – and the accusations are that he has been preaching the Gospel!  When challenged by the high priest, his defence speech is a perfect example of how the Holy Spirit will inspire any of us to defend our faith – just as Jesus had promised. In his speech, Stephen invokes images of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph and the pharaohs in Egypt, the ministry of Moses and Aaron, David and Solomon – all men who foreshadowed Jesus in the Old Testament, and men whose ministry was rejected by ancestors of old.  Eventually Stephen accuses them of even rejecting God’s Son, the Righteous One, without even recognising him as their Messiah! This is enough for the high priest and the council.  Stephen’s revelation of Heaven, seeing the Son of Man at God’s right hand is the reward that he is given.  His fate has been settled, and the witnesses and men standing nearby a...

Acts 6 Any church with people will have the same problems – people!  One of my former rectors used to say that the perfect church doesn’t have any parishioners, and he’s probably right!  Human problems aren’t something that the modern church has invented, even the very early Christian experienced human problems. As the church continued to meet together and share their resources.  There was quite a lot of camaraderie and fellowship, yet there was still a lot of prejudice amongst the Christians. There was some perception that the Hebrew speaking Jewish widows than the Greek speaking widows.  They took the matter to the Apostles, who realised that dealing with practical issues could soon overtake their spiritual duties.  Their practical decision was to appoint seven overseers or deacons.  Their responsibilities would include the looking after the practical side of the church – including a Gentile convert to Judaism, ...

While I didn’t keep it a secret over the weekend, I celebrated my 50th birthday on Friday 3rd January.  I had a lovely weekend with my family, but I thought I’d finished the celebrations when I arrived at church this morning for Holy Communion. Immediately following the service, David Atwell announced my birthday to the congregation, and invited them to spend a few minutes afterwards continuing our fellowship over tea, coffee and birthday cake! I’d like to thank Nuala Atwell, Eric and Myrtle Graydon (of Graydon’s bakery - other bakeries are available, of course), and my dear wife Kim (who it appears is excellent at keeping secrets) for supplying the cakes and teas, and for all the rest of the congregation for coming along to help celebrate my “special” occasion after the service. Incidentally, the decoration on the cake is a reflection of my love of reptiles. I don’t have a crocodile as yet - but plenty of smaller reptiles that look a lot like them!  I don’t think Aghave...

Acts 3 The disciples have been proclaiming the Gospel about Jesus, but they are essentially still Jewish in thought, faith and practice.  They have been consistent in their daily and weekly practices, attending the Temple for their worship.  As Peter and John attended one afternoon, they were asked for alms from a lame man – yet they offer so much more, proclaiming him healed in Jesus’ name. They immediately come to the attention of the crowds, with the once-lame man now dancing and praising God.  They run to Peter and John in the expectation that these two disciples were somehow Jesus’ successors, performing miracles in their own power.  Peter addresses the crowds again, and in his second witness to the people explains that the healing was nothing to do with them personally, but that they had simply been instruments of the Holy Spirit. The disciples go on to point out that all the prophets, all the scriptures had pointed to Jesus, an...

Acts 2 Acts chapter 2 is probably one of the most powerful chapters outside the Gospels.  The disciples had been obedient to Jesus’ last command and had waited together in a room.  The day of Pentecost (the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday – a Thursday) came as suddenly as Jesus’ birth had been.  This time there are no angels, no shepherds, no wise men (yet), and no manger!  This time belongs solely to God!  The Holy Spirit descended upon this group of weary and frightened disciples in a loud wind and tongues of flame.  They were instantly filled with the Holy Spirit and didn’t just start to speak with other languages, but they were filled with a new boldness and power. At this time, there were lots of Jews from all over the “known” world – and these uncouth Galilean were suddenly the centre of attention, as they were speaking the languages known to each.  Although the accusations flew about that they were dr...

Our New Year challenge starts today, 1st January 2020, in which we will be reading a chapter per day of the book of Acts of the Apostles.  This is the follow-up to the Gospel according to Luke, and he continues the history of the Early Church.  Join us throughout this month, and learn how the Early Church continues the mission entrusted to his disciples by Jesus. Acts 1 Luke breaks the fourth wall again by speaking directly to his desired audience, Theophilus.  He summarises what he has told so far, before continuing with his history of the Early Church.  He summarises the fact that Jesus had lived a proper human life (from his birth to his baptism, at least).  He relates his ministry, his death, and his resurrection.  He reminds Theophilus that many, many people had seen the risen Lord, and then, as he about to ascend into Heaven, he commands the disciples that should wait in Jerusalem to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit....

On Monday 23rd December a group of parishioners gathered in the Committee Room and read through the entire Gospel according to Luke as part of our Advent Challenge.  The whole Gospel flowed seamlessly from Jesus' birth, through his Baptism by John, choosing his disciples, his teachings and miracles, his Transfiguration, his arrival at Jerusalem, his betrayal, his trial and crucifixion, and his triumphant resurrection and appearance to his disciples. To read the entire story in one sitting was fantastic, rather than biting off pieces and looking at them in isolation - and everyone involved had new insights to share from both the Advent Challenge and the final reading of the Gospel. As Christmas came, we were in a much better position to place it within God's Supreme Plan for our redemption and salvation, and we were all much better prepared for the celebration of Jesus' birth. As part of the result of having read the Gospel, we have set ourselves another challenge for ...

Luke 21 In this chapter, Jesus examines the temple and the motivations of the people who come to it.   While the disciples are impressed by grandeur and excess, Jesus sees past the façade to the inner motivations and meanings. While the rich people threw their large offerings into the money chutes, causing a great noise to bring attention to themselves, Jesus values the widow’s pittance as a greater offering.   While the rich folk have given a greater amount, they are giving what they can afford – whereas the widow is donating what she can, not necessarily being able to afford it.   While we are impressed by large offerings, even in today’s church, Jesus is more interested in sacrificial giving of our money, our time and our talents. Jesus proceeds to criticise the splendour of the temple, announcing to the disciples that the day was coming when the beautiful building would be torn down, brick by brick.   When the disciples ask Jesus about ...

Luke 20 Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem starts as it will continue, in direct conflict with the Jewish religious leaders.   He has long been in the attention of the Pharisees, but now he is preaching and teaching in the very seat of their authority – the Temple in Jerusalem.   While Jesus has more than proved his authority to the crowds and to his followers, he is now questioned by the leaders in Jerusalem.   Perhaps they considered themselves better qualified and able to challenge this itinerant rabbi, being the leaders of the “city” synagogues and temples.   So often those in important central positions consider themselves better than those in the outer fringes of the church.   This is still true in many ways of today’s church – with the city churches being almost a different breed than their rural relatives!   When they challenged Jesus, he simply asked them to confirm who they considered the source of John’s message – and when they wou...

Luke 19 Of all the stories in the Gospel, perhaps the meeting of Zacchaeus and Jesus is the most underestimated.  This is normally considered a children’s message involving a “vertically challenged” tax collector who climbs a tree in front of his city clients, and gets called by Jesus to host a tea party.  Of all the people who have encountered Jesus throughout his ministry, perhaps no one is impacted so completely and immediately than Zacchaeus.  His life to date has been nothing short of contrary to everything Jesus has taught and shown, but to meet Jesus changes his life forever!  This passage marks the beginning of Jesus’ journey towards Jerusalem, marking the beginning of the most important week of his ministry and his life. The parable of the minas is a message about how responsible we are with the gifts and talents that Jesus has given us.  A mina was worth about 100 days wages, or just over three months pay for a labourer...

Luke 18 The parable of the persistent widow continues Jesus’ discussion regarding the end days.   The widow needed justice, and approached a judge, who promptly dismissed her claims.   She wasn’t going to be put off, and continued to pursue her call for justice.   Eventually the judge relented and granted her the justice that she deserved, even though he had no care of concern for her. The disciples were warned that her persistence is relatively rare on earth, and Jesus called for his followers to learn that the Father, who cares for us all, will return and bring the justice that we desire.   For us in the Western world, where we have all the trappings of freedom and democracy, this seems almost irrelevant – surely justice is served impartially – but to the early Christians facing betrayal and death each day, the call to be faithful must have been a challenge.   Even today, in countries where Christianity is still persecuted, the faithfulness ...

Luke 17 This is a very challenging passage, containing teaching that should affect every single breath we take and action we make.  The conversation regarding faith, forgiveness, and service teaches us that to lead anyone astray would bring hell and damnation to us immediately.  While it is easy to say that we forgive someone for harming us once, maybe even twice – but could we do it continuously, yet that is what Jesus demands of us. Our call to service is often considered as serving God, but Jesus clearly shows us that we are called to serve each other, not considering it beneath us, but rather as a call directly from God.  Could we do this, often without recognition or reward?  Could we put others needs first, and not complain when we do?  I think that this is one of the most challenging parts of being a Christian – but it isn’t an optional extra, it’s the very core of our call. The grateful leper, a Samaritan, had return...

Luke 16 The parable of the shrewd manager is a complicated one. On one hand it seems that Jesus is almost praising the corrupt manager for dealing in his own interests when he had been caught out “cooking the books”.   By reducing their debts to his master, he hoped to ingratiate himself, hoping that they would look after him when he suddenly found himself out of a job.   Even his own master commended his actions when the scale of his deception was fully discovered. What does this mean in today’s world?   Should we be dealing shrewdly or corruptly towards each other?   Is honesty not the best policy?   The moral of this parable is to point out who we worship the most, God or money?   Again, this parable, although relevant to the world at large, was initially directed towards the Pharisees.   The enjoyed the trappings of wealth and authority, but although they probably considered themselves as the master in the parable, they were actu...

Luke 15 In this chapter we have three very well-known and well-told parables.   To be honest, probably little needs said about each, as we all will have heard sermons preached on them many times.   However, before you turn away to chapter 16, please consider the following summary.   Each taken individually tell a tale of someone losing an object or person, only to search and find it, and rejoicing again.   The parable of the lost sheep suggests that Jesus is the shepherd, carefully looking for the lost sheep; the woman losing the coin, part of her dowry, and the most important possession that she is allowed to own, suggesting that Jesus is searching for something vitally important to him; and the parable of the lost son, also known as the Prodigal Son, placing Jesus as the expectant father waiting for the lost son to return.   Each on its own tells a complete story and has a well-formed meaning – but what if there’s more to the chapter? ...

Luke 14 Jesus performs another healing on a Sabbath, this time at the house of a Pharisee, attended by the elders and religious leaders.  Again, Jesus shames the leaders for their indignation despite their silence when questioned. Jesus then shames his own followers when he learns that they would prefer to seek the best seats at banquets – by showing that He (as the Son of God) came to serve, not to be served, and urged his followers to embrace humility, seeking to serve others rather than lording over others. The parable of the Great Banquet highlights the invitation to the Jewish people to come to the great feast that God had prepared, but shows their ignorance and stubbornness in turning down the call – so God (the master of the feast) opens the call to anyone who will come.  Beware though, the invitation may call you to come as you are – but you will need to be dressed accordingly, coming prepared to meet the master with the correct attitude! By ...

Luke 13 We sometimes assume that if something bad things come eventually to bad people – sometimes even as a punishment from God!  This is definitely the case at the start of chapter 13  when some of Jesus’ followers wondered what the Galilean had done to be killed by Pilate or the 18 who died in the tragic accident when a tower collapsed.  Jesus insists that accidents happen, and that the men were no worse than any of us, we are all sinners, and just as guilty in God’s eyes. Following this, Jesus issues a warning that we all need to bear fruit to remain in God’s family.  “Bearing fruit”is an issue that sometimes puts a lot of people in fear, thinking that we need to be doing something difficult – but in reality what we really need to do is to show love to all who we meet.  Many more Christians will tell you that they were influenced by someone’s personal actions and values rather that by anything that was said or preached to th...

Luke 12 Today’s chapter opens with Jesus warning his disciples against becoming “infected” by the yeast of the Pharisees, whose hypocrisy had taken them well away from worshipping God to almost worshipping themselves!   In warning the disciples to fear God not the opinions of men, he sets in place a precedent that still speaks to the church in today’s world.   We, Christian men and women, should not be seeking to please each other, or to impress the world around us – but rather we should only seek to be faithful to the calling of God. This warning is backed up in the parable of the Rich Landowner, whose harvest had been plentiful, and rather than thank God for it and to share with those in need, he built bigger barns and stores for riches he would never enjoy, being called to give an account of his actions before God that very night! This world brings troubles and anxieties in abundance at times, and this was just as true in Jesus’ day as it is today...

Luke 11 Jesus starts today’s chapter by answering his disciples’ request about how to pray.   The pray that he taught his disciples has become one of the most repeated texts ever!   The “Lord’s Prayer” has been repeated by sinners and saints all over the world for the past 2000 years, sustaining people in the direst of circumstances, and bringing comfort and purpose to everyone who has found themselves in any difficult positions.   If you could remember no other Bible verse, these are perhaps the most important of Jesus’ words to learn! Following a miraculous cure of a possessed boy, people start comparing Jesus to Beelzebul, the king of demons, a name for the devil himself!   This ridiculous accusation prompts Jesus to discuss the severity and seriousness of demon possession, something we often ignore in today’s world. Of all the heroes and prophets that Jesus could have compared himself to, perhaps Elijah, Elisha, Moses, Abraham, Isaiah, ...