Sunday 20th August 2023
You are welcome to worship in person this Sunday at 10.15am. Hand sanitizer and masks are available if you would like to use them.
We are also live streaming of our services. The service can be seen each Sunday morning commencing at 10.15am. Here is the link to our YouTube channel to access the live streaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEm1fJeADpcP6gO1BsBKcg
Matthew 15:21-28, Everyone is welcome to Christ
In today’s text, a Canaanite woman came to Jesus begging him to heal her little daughter who was possessed by an evil spirit. The disciples objected to her coming and tried to send her away. Even Jesus seemed to reject her request and humiliated her; she persisted, however, refusing to give up. Her faith was great that the fruits were produced: her daughter was made well, and the disciples gained a basic insight into the nature of Christ’s mission in the world and of their role in that mission.
In fact, the disciples did not expect this; it takes them by surprise. This woman is one of the “outsiders,” yet Jesus has let her in – into his caring, into his blessing, into the benefits of his power. They are amazed, even shocked perhaps. Jesus has just let them know that the Master has come not just to them, but to the world.
Do we understand what Jesus is teaching concerning the worth of others, his mission to the whole world? Do we understand that we can come to God from wherever we are, that we have access to God no matter where we come from?
This is one of the fundamental insights of the Christian gospel – that we comprehend the worth of a person simply on the basis that he or she is a person. In one respect we are all alike, all of us who come to Christ: each comes from somewhere. How far away or how close by is not an issue. The only issue is that, in fact, we do come to our Lord. IL-WOONG.
Our Mission is to
Connect with people in Jesus;
Build each other up in faith; and to
Become Like Jesus.