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December 6, 2008 — Charles Cameron
New Ministry
April 29, 2009 — Charles CameronOn Wednesday 29th April, I began a new ministry at St Andrew’s Church, Dumbarton.
Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
November 7, 2009 — Charles CameronBefore we can understand what it means to be a peacemaker, we must understand what peace is and what it is not.
There is a ‘peace’ that is ‘no peace. We speak of keeping the peace and not disturbing the peace. there is, however, a ‘peace’ which needs to be disturbed if we are to find true peace. There is a ‘peace’ which is based on shallow superficiality. This ‘peace’, that is ‘no peace’, needs to be challenged by Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of peace. He calls us to enjoy true peace, His peace. We are not to rest content with a ‘peace’ that is ‘no peace.’ We are called by Christ to be peacemakers.
To choose Christ is to choose the way of suffering and sacrifice. This is not the world’s way. the world’s way is the way of shallowness and superficiality. Christ’s way is the way of suffering and sacrifice. Christ’s way is the way of the Cross. This is the way of peace. As we look to the Cross, we see that Christ is our Peace. In Him, we have peace with God. In Him, we enjoy the peace of God. Peace-making begins with Jesus Christ. It begins with personal faith in Him. we are to be peace-makers at home and at work. We are to be peace-maker in the church and in the community. We must seek God’s forgiveness. We must confess our failure to be peace-makers. We must respond to God’s call for conversion. He calls for a change of heart. He’s looking for a change of attitude. Before we can make peace, we must find peace. Before we can find peace with God, we must stop fighting with God and start working with God.
Can we live at peace with one another if we insist on living without God’s peace in our own lives? The answer is “No.” If we are to enjoy peace, we must also give glory to God.If we really want to be peacemakers, we must open our hearts and give our lives to the Peacemaker – our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace.
To be peacemakers means more than hoping for peace and talking about peace. It involves living for peace and working for peace. We must not believe the lie which tells us that violence and hatred will have the last word. We must not believe the lie which tells us that war and destruction are here for ever. We must hold on to the faith which believes that there will come a Day when death will be no more, a Day when there will be no more mourning, no more crying and no more pain. To really live according to this faith means that we must live as men and women who are different, men and women who have been changes by the God of peace, men and women whose lives have been touched by the God of hope.
Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Here, He sets before us a choice. How will we choose to live? Will we make peace? Or Will we make war? The way in which you live your life will change your world. You will change it for the better. Or You will change it for the worse. What kind of influence will you have on the world around you? Will it be a good influence? Will it be a bad influence?
Martin Luther King had a good influence on the world. Adolf Hitler had a bad influence on the world. Martin Luther King had a dream. It was a dream of a better world – a world of peace and happiness. Adolf Hitler also had a dream. It turned into a nightmare for the world. It wasn’t a God-given dream. It was a dream of power for Adolf Hitler. We dare not say, “Any dream will do.” We need a God-given dream, a dream of a world redeemed by Christ.
What kind of man was Martin Luther King? – He was a peacemaker.
What kind of influence does he continue to have? – He has changed the world. He has helped to make it a better place.
What kind of men and women should we be? What kind of influence should we have? – May God help us to be peacemakers. May we enter into the blessing promised by Jesus – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – from 2 Chronicles
November 7, 2009 — Charles CameronIn our remembering, let us not forget the Lord our God, the God of our salvation, the God whose “steadfast love endures for ever” (2 Chronicles 20:21).
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“Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi).” (2 Chronicles 20:2).
How did Jehoshaphat react to these ominous words? – “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah…. ” (2 Chronicles 20:3). This was more than a personal seeking after God. This was spiritual leadership.
Leadership is vital. What does the Word of God say to us about leadership? – Simply this; those who would be spiritual leaders must themselves be led by the Lord.
Jehoshaphat led the people of God into victory because he made it his first priority to be led by the Lord. If we, in the Church, are to provide spiritual leadership in our world today, we must “set ourselves to seek the Lord.”
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“Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi)” (2 Chronicles 20:2).
What are we to do when faced with situations like this? – Here, we can learn a great deal from Jehoshaphat.
In 2 Chronicles 20:6, he affirms his faith in the Lord, who is in control of the whole situation: “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” This is the first lesson we need to learn – God is in control.
In 2 Chronicles 20:9, he affirms his faith in the Lord, who hears and answers prayer: “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.” This is the second lesson we must learn – God is the God of our salvation, the God who hears and answers prayer.
In 2 Chronicles 12:12, he looks to the Lord for help and for guidance: “O Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” This is the third lesson we must learn – We need to look to God for His help and His guidance.
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“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15) – God speaks to us His Word of encouragement. Let us offer to Him our heartfelt worship – “Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). When we give thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love, we are not celebrating a victory of one nation over another nation. We are celebrating His love for the whole world.
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“Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies” (2 Chronicles 20:27). As we look beyond Jehoshaphat to Jesus, we move beyond rejoicing over our enemies. Looking to Christ, we learn to love our enemies. Knowing how much we have been loved by the Lord Jesus Christ, let us commit ourselves afresh to playing our part in bringing the Good News of His love to the whole world.
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“The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side” (2 Chronicles 20:29-30). Here, we read of the outcome of Jehoshaphat’s victory – “the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace.”
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Here, we read of the outcome of Christ’s death on the Cross – “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
To His believing people from every nation, God says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:13-14).
Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – from 1 Samuel
November 6, 2009 — Charles CameronThe Book of Judges ends with the words: “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). The situation had not changed in the early days of 1 Samuel: “In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions” (1 Samuel 3:1).
Things were about to change!
In 1 Samuel 3:1, there is something else. It’s something which speaks of hope for the future: “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli.” This hardly seems significant. He’s just a wee boy! If we think like this, we’re missing the point! This was not “just a wee boy.” This was a boy, ministering to the Lord. The important thing is not the boy. It is the Lord. The Lord was at work in this boy’s life. We tread on. We learn of God’s dealings with Samuel. At the end of this third chapter, we find that there had been an astonishing turnaround – “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.” (1 Samuel 3:19-4:1).
When Samuel began his ministry, everything was going so well. This happy situation didn’t last for very long. Soon, the people had forgotten the Lord. They wanted to be like the other nations. They wanted a human king. They didn’t want the Lord to be their King.
What an important lesson, there is here for us. We look at the human situation. We forget about God. When Israel chose its first king, they were looking at the situation from a human point of view: They noticed that “Saul” was “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others” (1 Samuel 9:2). They didn’t ask, “Does he love the Lord? Does he walk with God? Will he lead us in the way of the Lord?” Such important questions were far from their minds. All they were interested in was appearances. How sad it is when superficial appearances become more than spiritual commitment. When we see people attaching too much importance to the outward appearance, we must ask, “What about love for God? What about love for His Word?”
Saul was disobedient. Saul was rejected. He was replaced. Saul was the peoples’ choice. David was God’s choice. Concerning David, God said, “this is he” (1 Samuel 16:12). This had never been said about Saul. The people had chosen Saul without even asking, “Is this want the Lord wants us to do?”
David was chosen according to this spiritual principle: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). This is not to say that David was perfect. As we read his story, it becomes increasingly clear that he was very far from perfect! David’s sins must not, however, obscure the fact that he was chosen by God. The Lord doesn’t wait until we’re perfect before He chooses us to be servants. In love, grace and mercy, the Lord comes to sinners. He saves them and calls them to His service. We read the words, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power” (1 Samuel 12:13), and we are greatly encouraged. We don’t serve God in our weakness. We serve Him in His strength. Our failure is not the last word. Beyond our failure, there is His faithfulness. Our sin is great. His salvation is greater.
“The Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power” (1 Samuel 16:12). Empowering by the Lord – What does this mean? We cannot fully understand the workings of God’s Spirit – “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). One thing we can say is this: When the power of the Lord is there, we can sense His presence. When there’s no empowering from the Lord, we become aware that there’s something missing. When the servant of the Lord is empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, the preaching will be centred on Christ and it will help the people to understand the Word of God. The people of God will be aware that they are in the Lord’s presence and they will receive spiritual feeding from the Lord’s Word.
In true spiritual leadership, there is always something more than human qualities. There is also God’s empowering. This is the difference between Saul and David. Saul had human qualities. David had the divine empowering. We see this contrast in the story of David and Goliath – “Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head ” (1 Samuel 17:38). David refused to wear Saul’s armour. He went forward in faith – “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty” (1 Samuel 17:45). David didn’t win the victory in his own strength. The victory was given to him by the Lord – “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).
In David’s day, there was Goliath. In the twentieth century, there was Adolf Hitler. Behind Goliath and Hitler, there is Satan – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). In the proud arrogance of both Goliath and Hitler, we hear the voice of Satan – “I will raise my throne above the stars of God … I will make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). In the fall of both Goliath and Hitler, we catch a glimpse of the fall of Satan – “All your pomp has been brought down … How you have fallen … You have been cast down … you are brought down to the depths … you are cast out” (Isaiah 14:11-12, 15, 19). The fall of Goliath brought “a shout” of triumph from God’s people (1 Samuel 17:52). The defeat of Hitler brought a great celebration of victory. We look beyond the fall of Goliath and the defeat of Hitler. We look forward to Christ’s victory over Satan: “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him … the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down” (Revelation 12:9). David stood up to Goliath. The defeat of Hitler came after six years of fierce conflict. Satan’s defeat is something for which God’s people must fight. We look back to the victory which Christ has won for us through His death and resurrection: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11). This victory becomes real in our lives as we learn to walk with the Lord in faith and obedience: They overcame him … by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelation 12:11). In our battle with Satan, we must always remember the the battle is the Lord’s. In the Lord’s battle the power comes from Him, the victory is given by Him and the glory belongs to Him.
Goliath has gone. Hitler has gone. They have been defeated. Their spirit of proud rebellion is still with us – “the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury” (Revelation 12:12). Why does Satan attack the people of God with such fury? – “he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12). Satan has been defeated by Christ. This is the victory won for us by Christ, in His death and resurrection. The final defeat of Satan still lies in the future. As the time of his final defeat approaches, Satan will become more furious in his determined opposition to God, His Christ and His Kingdom. He will not, however, be able to oppose God for ever. There will come a time when Satan must bow to “the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ” (Revelation 12:10).
In the face of determined opposition from Satan, let us pray that God will raise up godly leadership in His Church. Let us pray that He will send preachers who will bring Christ to the people and the people to Christ. Let us pray that He will provide preachers who will see it as their joyful privilege and their solemn responsibility to open up the Bible and let its God-centred message change the life of His Church in today’s world. May God help us, in our generation, to rise up, inspired by the Word of God and filled with the Spirit of God, to face Satan and triumph over Him in the overcoming power of our victorious Lord, Jesus Christ.
Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – “What do these stones mean?” (Joshua 4:21).
November 6, 2009 — Charles Cameron“What do these stones mean?” (Joshua 4:21).
The people of Israel were called to remember what God had done for them. They were called to give glory to God. The stones were to serve as a reminder to future generations.
There are many things that we might wish to forget. There are many things which threaten to destroy our faith in the Lord. Where are we to find faith? – We find faith as we read the Word of the Lord: “you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).
We look at the wars – past and present. We ask, “What does all this mean? What’s the purpose in all of this?” Where do we find meaning and purpose? We find meaning and purpose as we read the Word of the Lord: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).
We look at the wars – past and present. We get confused. We wonder what this is all about. We read the Word of the Lord. There, in the Word of the Lord, we learn that God is still on the throne. God is in control. This is what the Word of God teaches us.
History is a very human story. It is also God’s Story. It’s the Story of what the Lord has done. That’s not to say that everything that happens is pleasing to the Lord. What it does say is this: Despite all our sin, God has not abandoned us. He still loves us. He has not forgotten us. He is still the God of our salvation. We remember Him. That’s very important. There is, however, something that’s much more important – He remembers us! What a wonderful thing this is – the Lord remembers us, even when we forget Him.
Some people believe that history is no more than a human story. Those who believe in the Lord know that it’s much more than this. It is His Story! This is what we must remember. We are not only remembering our earthly fathers. We are remembering our heavenly Father.
A whole generations comes to an end. God’s love remains. His love endures for ever. His love cannot becomes outdated. It’s not just a thing of the past. His love is forever. It never ends. In all the confusion of human history, we must learn to hold on to this: God is our Father, and He loves us. We can so easily forget. We must make sure that we never forget. We must take care to remember that we are not forgotten.
We look back to the past. We remember a great event from the past. It is an event, full of meaning for us. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has died on the Cross for us. We rejoice in this great event. We look beyond His crucifixion to His resurrection. We “remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead” (2 Timothy 2:8). We do not only remember Jesus Christ, crucified for us. We also remember Jesus Christ, risen for us. As we remember Christ, the risen Lord, we are assured to the living reality of His powerful love. We are assured that Christ is alive. He is the living Saviour. Through His resurrection, the meaning of His death, comes alive with the power of God.
In the fourth chapter of Joshua, we read of the crossing of the River Jordan. In the New Testament, we read of the death and resurrection of Christ. We wonder, “What do these events mean ?” We think also of recent about events – wars from the twentieth century, wars of the twenty-first century. We wonder, “What is God saying to us in all of the events?
God is calling us to be faithful. God is faithful. He has not abandoned us. We amust not abandon Him.
We are on our way to the future. Will it be a future of blessing? Will it be a future upon which the judgment of God rests?
What great things God has done for His people in previous generations. He delivered His people, Israel from their bondage in the land of Egypt. He led His people safely to the Promised Land. He sent His Son to be our Saviour. He brought His Son through the suffering of crucifixion into the mighty victory of resurrection.
We look back. We remember. We see the hand of God at work. We say, “Thank you, God.” We thank God for His faithfulness. We look to the future. We say, “We are Yours, Lord.”
Giving ourselves to the Lord, for the future, will involve learning from the past. We learn from the Scriptures. We learn to live on the basis of the Scriptures. We learn that we are not to live for ourselves. We learn to live for the Lord.
Why do we look back to the past? Why do we look back, and remember? Is it because we want to live in the past? – No! It’s because want to live in the future. We want to have a future. We want to live. That’s why we remember. we need to learn from the past. We need to heed its warnings. We need to press on to a better future – a future free from war, a future filled with peace. May GFod help us to put the things of the past behind us. Hatred, war, death – let these things remain in the past. Let us choose love, peace and life.
We return now to the Book of Joshua. We look now at the God-given answer to the question, “What do these stones mean? – “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your Go” (Joshua 4:24).
On this Remembrance Sunday, many people are turning their thoughts to the Lord. We must pray that this will not be a passing thing. For ourselves and for others, we must pray that it will be real and lasting – “that you might always fear the LORD your God” (Joshua 4:24). We are not to “fear” Him only on special occasions of national remembrance. We are to “fear” Him “always.” We are called to worship the Lord. We’re not only to worship Him, now and again. We’re to worship Him always. We are called to serve the Lord. We’re not just to serve Him when we feel like it – when you feel like you’ve got nothing ‘better’ to do with your time . We’re to serve Him always.
God loves you always. Will you love him always?
May God give us grace to say, “Yes” … over and over again … with our whole life.
Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – from the Book of Deuteronomy
November 6, 2009 — Charles CameronThe Book of Deuteronomy teaches us much about remembering.
“Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you” (Deuteronomy 32:7).
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“Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today” (Deuteronomy 15:15).
“Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and follow carefully these decrees” (Deuteronomy 16:12).
“Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this” (Deuteronomy 24:18).
God calls His people to remember what they were before the exodus. This call is directly related to the present. It’s a call to live in obedience to the Word of God.
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“Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste—so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt” (Deuteronomy 16:3).
Remembering the Exodus lay at the heart of the worship which God’s people were to bring to Him. Looking beyond the Book of Deuteronomy, we turn our attention to the New Testament. There, we learn that remembering Jesus Christ is to lie at the hearyt of our worship. We remember that He died for us. Through Christ, crucified for us, we are set free from sin and we are set free for God.
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Remember that the Exodus was the beginning of a journey.
During this journey God taught His people many lessons.
He taught them to remember that He was greater than all their enemies – “But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt” (Deuteronomy 7:18).
He also warned them that their enemies were not be lightly dismissed - “ Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!” (Deuteronomy 25:17-19). Note that the call to “remember” is followed by the warning, “Don’t forget!”
God called His people to remember how sinful they were – “Remember this and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God to anger in the desert. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the LORD” (Deuteronomy 9:7). He also reminded them that they must not forget how holy He is – “Remember what the LORD your God did to Miriam along the way after you came out of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 24:9). “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses … The anger of the LORD burned against them … When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam—leprous, like snow” (Numbers 12:9-10). This was a temporary judgment of God – “Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, please heal her! … Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days” (Numbers 12:13, 15). There is, in this story of Miriam, a reminder to us that we cannot speak and live in a way that is contrary to God’s Word and expect that He will continue to bless us.
In the wilderness, God’s people suffered much. God called upon them not to lose sight of His purpose for them He was seeking to lead them to walk with Him in faithful obedience: “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deuteronomy 8:2). We may go through some bitter experiences. These will also be learning experiences if, in them, we learn to to receive sustaining grace from the faithful God, the God of our salvation, the God who is leading us in the pathway of holiness.
Remember that the end of the journey was the promised land.
God’s people were travelling towards the land flowing with milk and honey, the land of prosperity – “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today” (Deuteronomy 8:18). When we apply these words to ourselves, we should not think in terms of material prosperity – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). We are to think in terms of God’s eternal purpose – “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). Jesus challenges to examine our way of living and see what it says about our heart towards God: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Jesus calls upon us to live by the values of God’s eternal Kingdom and perfect righteousness – “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.” To those who make the Kingdom of God their highest priority in their life, Jesus says, “all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). As we seek to do God’s will, we are to trust Him for His provision. We must not, however, think in terms of our greed. God’s promise is directed towards our need – not our greed! When we think of God’s provision, we should also note the words of Deuteronomy 8:18 - “it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” We are to use our God-given gifts. We must never forget that these gifts have been given to us by God. We must use them in a way that brings glory to God. We must not lose sight of ultimate goal – “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Keeping the perspective of God’s eternal Kingdom in full view, we will look beyond material blessings – “the ability to produce wealth.” We learn to say, with Paul, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80:1-7 (or Luke 1:47-55); Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)
November 2, 2009 — Charles Cameron
Worshipped by shepherds, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd.
In Micah 5:2, we have a prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus at ‘Bethlehem’. This prophecy invites us to ‘go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about’. At ‘Bethlehem’, we see ‘shepherds, glorifying and praising God’(Luke 2:15, 20). We also see Jesus our Shepherd. He is the One whom the shepherds worshipped. He is the One who ‘will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord…’. He is ‘the Good Shepherd’. He ‘laid down His life’ for us. He is ‘the Great Shepherd’. He ‘was raised from the dead’ for us. He is ‘the Chief Shepherd’. He will ‘come’ again for us (Micah 5:4; John 10:14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4). Jesus our ‘Shepherd’ gives us ‘strength’ to ‘do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God’(Micah 6:8).
What must I do to be saved? – Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.
‘Restore us, O God, make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved’(Psalm 80:3). This prayer for salvation is repeated with a growing sense of God’s greatness – ‘O God Almighty’(Psalm 80:7), ‘O Lord God Almighty’(Psalm 80:19). To those who are asking the question of salvation – ‘What must I do to be saved?’- , God gives His answer – ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved’(Acts 16:30-31). What does the Lord say to those who look to Christ for salvation? – ‘The Lord will bless you and watch over you. The Lord will smile on you and be kind to you. The Lord will look on you with favour and give you peace’(Numbers 6:24-26). Let us worship Him: ‘Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer’(Ephesians 1:3).
Saved by our Lord Jesus Christ, let us praise Him with joyful songs of celebration.
In Luke 1:46-55, we have a great ‘song of praise.’ God was doing ‘a new thing’. His people were rejoicing in Him. Great things were happening. Greater things were going to happen. Soon, the Saviour would be born. The birth of our Saviour – This was something to celebrate! From the birth of Jesus, we look forward to the death of Jesus – we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all“ (Hebrews 10:10). Here, we have something else to celebrate!
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The Bible Readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary – Year C.
Christ in all the Scriptures / The Theology of G C Berkouwer- Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). November 7, 2009Before we can understand what it means to be a peacemaker, we must understand what peace is and what it is not. There is a ‘peace’ that is ‘no peace. We speak of keeping the peace and not disturbing the peace. there is, however, a ‘peace’ which needs to be disturbed if we are to find [...]Charles Cameron
- Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – from 2 Chronicles November 7, 2009In our remembering, let us not forget the Lord our God, the God of our salvation, the God whose “steadfast love endures for ever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). —– “Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar” [...]Charles Cameron
- Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – from 1 Samuel November 6, 2009The Book of Judges ends with the words: “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). The situation had not changed in the early days of 1 Samuel: “In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions” (1 Samuel 3:1). Things were about to change! In [...]Charles Cameron
- Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – “What do these stones mean?” (Joshua 4:21). November 6, 2009“What do these stones mean?” (Joshua 4:21). The people of Israel were called to remember what God had done for them. They were called to give glory to God. The stones were to serve as a reminder to future generations. There are many things that we might wish to forget. There are many things which threaten [...]Charles Cameron
- Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – from the Book of Deuteronomy November 6, 2009The Book of Deuteronomy teaches us much about remembering. “Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you” (Deuteronomy 32:7). —– “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you [...]Charles Cameron
- Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 8th November 2009 November 6, 2009We must not keep God’s blessing to ourselves. We must share it with joy. ‘Be still, and know that I am God…Shout to God with loud songs of joy’(Psalm 46:10; Psalm 47:2). In our worship, there is to be both quiet trust and loud praise. We read the great words: ‘God is our refuge and [...]Charles Cameron
- Fourth Sunday of Advent: Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80:1-7 (or Luke 1:47-55); Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) November 2, 2009 Charles Cameron
- Third Sunday of Advent: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Psalm 45 (or Isaiah 12:2-6); Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18 October 30, 2009Sin brings sadness. Salvation brings gladness. The story of sin – ‘Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! She has not obeyed His voice. She has not accepted correction. She has not trusted in the Lord. She has not drawn near to her God’ (Zephaniah 3:1-2) – is followed by the story of salvation [...]Charles Cameron
- Second Sunday of Advent: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 27 (or Luke 1:68-79); Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6 October 30, 2009We come to the Lord’s House so that we might offer our heartfelt worship to the Lord. ‘One thing have I asked of the Lord…that I may dwell in the House of the Lord…’(Psalm 27:4). What are we doing when we gather in the Lord’s House for worship? This is what we are doing – ‘Wait [...]Charles Cameron
- First Sunday of Advent: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36 October 30, 2009Every spiritual blessing – in Christ: Come to Him and receive His blessing. ‘I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against Me… Then this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise, and honour before [...]Charles Cameron
- Some Thoughts for Remembrance Sunday – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). November 7, 2009
