REFLECTION:
Who is Jesus for you? Maybe you believe that Jesus never existed – a fact
that has never been questioned by any ancient historian as far as I know.
Maybe you believe that Jesus did exist but that he was just a man, a prophet,
a spiritual guide or an example to follow. Maybe you believe, like Mahatma
Gandhi (1869-1948), that Jesus was “one of the greatest teachers humanity
has ever had.” Maybe you believe, like H. G. Wells (1866-1946), that “this
penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history...
the most dominant figure in all history.”
But of all the historians, spiritual leaders and philosophers of all times, it’s
probably Miley Cyrus who gets everyone to agree:
“You are all stardust. You couldn’t be here if stars hadn’t exploded. So
forget Jesus. Stars died so you could live.” But what if Jesus was much
more than all that?
Much more than a prophet, much more than a spiritual guide, much more
than an example to follow, much more than a great teacher, much more than
the most dominant figure in all history even? What if Jesus was... God
himself, God in the flesh? What if our eternal destiny depended upon who
we think this man is? That's what we're going to see this morning in
Matthew 16:13-20, a passage in which Peter reveals Jesus's identity (v. 13-
16) and in which Jesus reveals Peter's identity (v. 17-20).
HYMNS
TIS 125 The God of Abraham praise
MP 583 Safe in the show of the Lord
MP 181 God forgave my sin
TIS 106 Now thank we all our God
MISSION MOMENTS
This is a reminder if you have a mission box to please bring it over the next
couple of weeks. Thank you for your contributions to the Missions.
DISCIPLESHIP EXPLORED STARTING ON THE 30TH OF AUGUST
The word “disciple” means “follower” or “learner.” A disciple of Jesus isn’t
some kind of super-Christian. In fact, Jesus assumes that all of his followers
are disciples. Over the next eight weeks, we’ll be exploring a letter written
to some of the earliest Christian disciples by one of the earliest Christian
leaders: Paul. He was in chains at the time, guarded day and night by a
Roman soldier – and yet, as he keeps telling them, he’s overflowing with
joy. We’ll discover why every Wednesday (7:30-9pm) in the Fellowship
Room from the 30th of August.
INTERACTIVE SESSIONS ON FORGIVENESS
Join us for a series of interactive sessions on forgiveness on Wednesday
nights 7:30-9pm, in the fellowship room.
CHURCH FLOWERS/ MEMORIAL FLOWERS
Naomi Kevin, with the help of Glenda Parrish, is now looking
after the flower arrangements in church. Parishioners wishing to
organise flowers in memory of someone please contact
Naomi. Mob: 0449 179 115
MEMORIAL FLOWERS
The flowers in church today have been given in loving memory of Claire MacLean by her husband Alan. Always missed and remembered with much love.
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
3rd September – 14th Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 3.1-15; Psalm 105.1-6, 23-26; Romans 12.9-218; Matthew 16. 21-28
LAWN MOWING ROSTER
25th August Samoan Congregation
1st September Rusty
This week we continue to pray for
Mike; Mark; Clovis; Rose; Eva; Cecil; Stanley; Nigel; Russell, Kevin; Joanne, Eve, Lynette, Danny, Esme, Michael, Charles, Edward, Tyrone, Gwen, Sylvia, Dr Nathan & Joan.
Comments