LPUC eNews – Sunday 6 June 2021
In person worship – 10.15am this Sunday.
Everyone needs to register their intent to be present each Sunday with Beryl Bool (home phone 9759 4201, mobile 0405 686 109 or email beryl.bool01@gmail.com) or register with the QR code at the door.
Mark 3:20-35 ‘Are We in Jesus’ Family?
Today is the second Sunday in the Season of Pentecost; a season, which runs for nearly ½ of the year (25 weeks) up to Advent. We are looking at accusations made against Jesus by His family members and the Jewish Religious Leaders.
Firstly there is no doubt that His family incorrectly viewed His mission on earth from a human perspective rather than a heavenly perspective. They thought He was doing too much and overextending Himself. They believed that He was too fanatical and out of His mind and they set out to ‘take charge of Him.’ When they arrive they ask to see Him and His response was rather astounding; ‘Who are my mother and my brothers.’ Jesus was not devaluing His earthly family or diminishing the significance of His family in any way, but upholding the priority of the will of God and obedience to the word of God in family life.
Jesus’ words radically widened the concept of ‘family’ for followers of Jesus. We need to recognise that God’s call in Jesus and our allegiance to Him and His family, the Body of Christ, goes above our physical family loyalty. Our love and service properly given to one another in our physical family, is also due to one another in the wider family of believers, the Body of Christ.
The Jewish Religious Leaders, on the other hand, never denied Jesus’ power and the fact that He performed miracles, as they were witnessed by crowds of ordinary people. Instead they tried to discredit Him by claiming it was by demonic power and not by the power of the Holy Spirit. They went so far as to say that Jesus was demon possessed. In response to this most serious and blasphemous charge, Jesus’ warning to them in comes in verse 29 ‘but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, they are guilty of an eternal sin’ or in other words the unforgivable sin. Keith
Blue Miracle – Now on Netflix. The incredible true story of Casa Hogar, the Mexican boys home that entered the world’s biggest fishing tournament to save their orphanage.
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) [Official Lyric Video] Hillsong Worship
Bubble wrap believers – The Skit Guys
Church library: Help us with the hardest-working shelf in the church library. During June, tell us the best DVDs or books you’ve used in our Christian Living section – we’ll make sure your top picks are on the shelf and available for others to use. See Naomi Feigl or Lawrie Bool for more information
Former Miss Wagga Wagga’s battle to stay in Australia – Eternity News
Understanding Ancient Law – The Bible Project
Messy Church: We had fun overcoming obstacles with families at our last Messy Church – the challenges kept us all warm, too! We’re exploring the theme ‘God is all we need’, and our message in May is that God helps us overcome challenges.(Isaiah 41:10) A huge thanks to everyone who braved a chilly night to help and be part of it!
Elon Musk offers to build Victoria ‘Mars-based’ quarantine facility – Damascus Dropbear
Gift of rest – The Bible Project
Family growth: We’ll be continuing our conversations with LPUC members this weekend – a big thanks to those giving us their time over the next few weeks to share their experiences and views to grow young families at LPUC, in number and spiritually. Thank you also to the team helping with these interviews – Lyn, Beryl and Pamela – much appreciated! See Naomi Feigl or IL-Woong for more information.
All cats are black at night – Green Renaissance
ScoMo on ‘Identity Politics’ and the State of the west – kurtmahlburg blog
UK Chaplain Reported as a Terrorist for Sermon on LGBT tolerance – Cross and Culture