Aghavea Parish Church

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 the details of the

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 wouldn’t answer for fear of the

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.  While some put their fortunes to great us

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 of the God’s people serv

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 returned to Jesus to thank him for his healing grace, r

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 actually the shrewd manager, with God

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? Firstly, consider the

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 this stage in his m

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 them when they first accepted the faith. Jesus

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.   To hi

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, Amos, Daniel, Josep

Luke 10 Again, just as in our previous chapter, we have Jesus sending out his followers to preach and heal in his name.   This time, 72 are send out, showing the widening of those called to follow Him.   Again the message is “Keep it simple”.   Humility, love and commitment to the Gospel will always win more converts to God than anything we could ever say or preach. Upon their return, they too are rejoicing in what they have witnessed.   Verses 21-24 are some of the most beautiful recorded words that Jesus ever prayed or said.   Just as in John 17, Jesus gives thanks to the Father for his disciples, prays for them, then prays and gives thanks for all those who see His truth and power and believe because of them. The parable of the “Good Samaritan” shows us exactly who our neighbours are – all those in need at any time!   Jesus then heads to the home of his closest friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus.   While Martha runs around working so intently to create a h

Luke 9 There is no better privilege than to serve God in any way – and that’s exactly what happens at the start of chapter 9!   The twelve disciples have been following Jesus for long enough, and Jesus sends them out into the surrounding villages to preach the message and to heal the sick.   He tells them to keep the message simple, and to be modest in their circumstances.   How great an example is this to today’s church – keep it simple and modest!! Meanwhile we have Herod appearing again, troubled this time that this new prophet and teacher may be John (who had been beheaded by Herod by this time)!   Guilty conscience, perhaps? The disciples returned, full of amazing stories of their recent missionary expeditions.   When they tried to withdraw in private, the crowds continued to follow them, prompting Jesus to tell the disciples to feed them.   The disciples looked around, saw 5000 people, and quickly decided it was impossible.   The miracle of feed

Luke 8 We all know about Jesus’ 12 disciples, the men who were chosen to accompany him on his missionary journey – but Luke gives credit to the women who supported his ministry too.   They were there too when Jesus preached and healed as he passed through the towns and villages. Many people criticise the Bible as being "[artistic" - male-centric - but Jesus and the early church accepted the ministry of both male and female, exactly mirroring the Creation when God made both male and female to be equal.   The parable of the sower and the seed is well known, and often told – we need to see it here amid the arguments with the Pharisees.   Followed by the parable about shining your light for God, the two parables highlight the need for those who proclaim Jesus’ words must bear fruit and shine to the world. In the middle of another long chapter, we have two related stories show Jesus’ power over both the natural world with the stilling of the storm, and t

Luke 7 Chapter seven starts with one of the greatest examples of faith in the Gospels – and it came from a Roman centurion.   Having come to Jesus for his sick slave, he proclaims himself unworthy of having Jesus in his house, but simply asks Jesus to proclaim him well and it would be done!   What a brilliant act of faith, building upon Jesus’ words (as we heard in the previous chapter), and saving his slaves life! Next, we have a miraculous healing of a dead man, the only son of a widow, and in turn gives his mother back hope for a future too.   Jesus’ fame is spread wide and broad throughout the land. Jesus’ praise of his cousin John is nothing less than amazing – v28, “I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John”.   In praising John’s faithfulness to his God-given calling, he criticises the religious leaders of the day for their rejection of God’s call. Finally in this chapter, we have the story of Jesus visiting a Pharisee’s house for a meal.

Luke 6 One of the major contentions in today’s world involves working on Sundays – but it isn’t a new issue!   Jesus and his disciples were walking through a field and picked some heads of wheat and ate them – constituting working on a Sabbath!   When the Pharisees challenged him, Jesus’ answer astounded them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” On another Sabbath, Jesus was preaching in a synagogue, and a man with a withered (paralysed) hand appeared.   The Pharisees watched closely, but Jesus wasn’t to be deterred, and healed the man!   Notice at this point that the Pharisees were already plotting to see what they could do about Jesus – early into his ministry. Having chosen his twelve disciples, Jesus goes to a plain, and delivers the Sermon on the Mount – with Luke recording the Beatitudes, albeit in a shorter fashion, before warning against judging others, lest we too would be judged. Finally, Jesus explains that we need to listen to his words and put them in

Luke 5 So far, Jesus has been working alone – but He starts to gather a team of disciples around him to help him, and to learn from Him.   These were ordinary men, from different backgrounds, but all the same desire to serve God.   The fishermen are persuaded by a miraculous catch of fish, and without thought or reservation, they leave their livelihood to follow Jesus. Two healings – one a leper, one a paralytic assisted by his friends – increase his fame in the region, and already he has confronted the Pharisees regarding their faith.   They certainly believe in God, but their actions seem to contradict their teachings. This certainly continues when Jesus chooses a tax collector to join his closest disciples; this only intensifies when He defends his disciples’ actions when compared to those of the Pharisees and those of John. His “new wine” of the Holy Spirit would be poured into the “new wineskins” of his unpolluted disciples.

Luke 4 By now we have the full picture of Jesus and his divine heritage, and in this chapter, we start to see Jesus enter his full, public ministry. Firstly, we have the temptations from the devil.   Jesus had to endure the full onslaught of physical, mental and spiritual temptations, yet possessed a strength never seen before.   Many people claim that Jesus’ knowledge of the Holy Scriptures gave him the answers – but don’t forget that the devil knew the Scriptures too! Having defeated the devil, Jesus returns from the wilderness to start his Father’s mission to bring redemption to the world. Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, and immediately the news spreads throughout the region.   He eventually arrives at his hometown of Nazareth; that Sabbath he chooses a passage from the prophet Isaiah to read.   He reads the passage that could well be his “mission statement”, and upon uttering the words that his listeners decide his words are blasphemy and try to kil

Luke Chapter 3 As we start day 3 of our Advent Challenge, we are firmly set in a very specific period of history, both Roman and Hebrew.   Chapter 3 begins with the ministry of John the Baptiser.   He was tasked by God to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. He preaches about repentance, and draws crowds from all over the region, and from all cultural backgrounds – rich and poor, tax collectors, soldiers and he even preached against the royal family, which ended with him being imprisoned. Into this ministry comes Jesus, being baptised by John, and confirmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the form like a dove, and announced by the voice of God from Heaven.   What a sublime picture of the Trinity – three Persons acting together in perfect harmony.   As John’s ministry is fulfilled, what a reward he has been granted here – being presented the full deity of God in one moment.   John doesn’t give up and retire from ministry, but continues to preach for the people to r

Luke Chapter 2 In this chapter we concentrate on Jesus’ birth.   Mary and Joseph head to Bethlehem to register for the census, and while they are there, Mary gives birth.   There were no luxuries for Mary – no bed, no hospital, no doctors, not even a bed for her son.   While Luke doesn’t tell us of the wise men, he tells us about the shepherds and the angels heralding a new age, bringing greetings of peace to all humanity.   When his parents took Jesus to the temple, Simeon recognised him immediately, and uttered the words that we now call “Nunc Dimittis”, but more importantly words to foretell his future role as judge to the nation of Israel.   The prophetess Anna also recognised the child and told everyone that the longed-for Messiah was now born. As this chapter concludes, we have the only story of Jesus as a young adult, coming with his parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.   As a twelve year old boy, he would be left behind in Jerusalem, on

Despite numerous attempts to record Jesus’ story, Luke is commissioned to record as complete a message as he can.   His sponsor, Theophilus, has apparently heard the message, but Luke wishes to confirm to him everything he has heard. In this first chapter we have the announcements of two babies - first Gabriel tells Zachariah that his wife Sarah will become pregnant, despite the circumstances and the fact that they are both elderly, or at least past the normal age for having children.   All this echoes the announcement to Abraham that his wife would become pregnant despite being 99 years old.   While Abraham would become the father of the nation, Sarah’s son was destined to become a great prophet, preparing the way for the Messiah. The announcement to Mary that she would become pregnant with God’s son is traditionally the start of the “Nativity Story”, yet the two women and their sons cannot be told as separate miracles - their connection is clearly felt when Mary visits