Message delivered by David McDowell on 21 August, 2011

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As we start 2008 I am reminded of the words of Jeremiah and the lessons that we can learn in the potter’s house. The vessel is marred in the potter’s hands and so he sees him make it again into another vessel as it seemed good to in his eyes.  It was then he heard the word of the Lord . . .

Jer 18:6  “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand”

The Wheel The potter’s wheel consisted of two parallel stone or clay wheels connected by a shaft. As the potter moved the lower wheel with his bare feet, the upper wheel revolved smoothly.  As we commence another year,  we may be feeling just like we are on the wheel, going around and around.  Remember the wheel is being controlled by our Master Potter.  Isa 64:8  But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.

The Clay The potter carefully selects the material that He works with but before it is worked it needs to be prepared.  Impurities are removed, coarse particles can be added, it is tossed over and over on a flat stone, kneaded, rolled and may be cut to form the right sized lump.  Sometimes we need to remember that we are only clay and the potter has amazingly chosen us and is working with us in all of our circumstances to prepare us to be moulded. Job 10:9  Remember, I pray, that You have made me like clay.

The Potter What skill it takes to throw a pot, and what honour is brought to the master craftsman as a result of his amazing workmanship.  The skilled potter reminds us of our infinite, wise, all knowing God who is working an amazing work in you and I – to Him be the glory!  Isa 29:16 “Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay”

The Vessel If we look around our home, we have all sorts of vessels, for all different purposes.  From an egg cup to an ornately decorated cake plate each has been specifically designed for a purpose.  Even those that fail are made it into a vessel “as it seemed good to the potter”.  What is God making you into this year?  Ti 2:21  If anyone cleanses himself…., he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

The Potters Hand Finally be encouraged by the word of the Lord to Jeremiah.  We are in the hand of the potter – whatever this year brings, joy or sorrow or victory or defeat.  He is doing a tremendous work, making known the riches of His glory on His vessels of mercy – that’s us.  John 10:28-30  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” May our 2008 resolution be.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mould me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
-Adelaide Pollard

It’s been a quest for the ages. Thousands of generations have lived and died without finding the ultimate answer. Millions have spent their entire life rummaging around for that precious jewel lost in the dark valley somewhere. Their search sounds quite simple at first. All they want to find out is the Meaning, Purpose and Reason for life. But the answer has been ever so elusive that most never have been able to grab a hold of it.

The Teacher, as the author of Ecclesiastes likes to call himself, is on a similar mission. He is out to settle the issue once and for all. He begins his explorations with the typical themes, knocking on familiar doors.

Wisdom is the first on his list. Being the wisest man, wiser than all his predecessors, he was sure he would find something of value. But he wasn’t satisfied with the solutions. He exclaims, “For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, the more knowledge, the more grief.” (Eccl 1:18). Disappointed and confused, he now enters through the golden gates of pleasure. But soon discovers that the only pomp is the one on the outside. Inside, he was unable to find anything of lasting significance. The teacher says, “I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” (Eccl 2:2) He went right around the boulevard of life, knocking on every door, hoping to find at least the slightest clue towards the answer.

He learns that wealth doesn’t deliver what it promises. People with wealth still try to amass more, as contentment always seem to elude them. In his lifetime, he found out that justice doesn’t always come to the rescue of the sufferer, leaving the wicked to prosper while the poor suffer.

Could it be popularity? Could fame be the key? But the wise teacher presently waves his sign of disapproval. About such a person he says, “He might become the leader of millions and be very popular. But then the next generation grows up and rejects him! So again, it is all meaningless, like chasing the wind.” (Eccl 4:16) At this point, one might wonder if there is any meaning, purpose or reason to be found after all.

If the reader perseveres and continues through the book, at the very end the author decides to take the veil off this great mystery. He carefully writes it down: “Fear God and obey His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Eccl 12:13) At the end of his extensive search, the teacher gets it. Sometimes a thing could be so simple that you’ll miss it even if you bump into it face on.

But don’t be mistaken. This wasn’t the preacher’s idea or some complex calculations that made him draw this conclusion. About 400 years before he was even born, Moses cries out the same words to the Israelites, who are waiting to cross the Jordan into the promised land. He gave it to them as an eternal decree from God, for their own good.

But what does it mean to fear God? Are we not supposed to love him instead? Does it apply to us, the New Testament believers? Could this have been meant only for the people of old?

We’ll attempt to look a bit deeper into what it means in the next issue.

The journey begins in Luke 9.  Jesus was in Galilee, near Bethsaida.  He feeds over 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fishes.  He predicts his rejection, death and burial. Few days later, he heals a child with an unclean spirit and settles an argument between the disciples and gives away a revolutionary principle: “For he who is least among you all–he is the greatest.”

Luke 9v51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.  From this point onwards Luke uniquely records a number of experiences and lessons that Jesus gave to His disciples on the Road to Jerusalem.  So as we walk with Him down the Jordan valley and then up to Jerusalem, it seems he has a few lessons for each of us.

If we look closely, we learn that to follow in His steps, he requires our:

Unswerving Resolve   Luke 9v57-62, Luke 13v22-30
Some were prepared to say that they were followers of Christ, but were not prepared to put him first in everything including home and family.  Jesus said no one who looked back was fit for the Kingdom.  Many would call him Lord but he did not know them – their words and lives were empty.

Unencumbered Hearing   Luke 10v38-42
Martha was busy serving, but Mary sat at his feet to hear his word.  Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part.  Are we too busy in our lives, to choose any less?

Unreserved Thanksgiving   Luke  17v11-19
While 10 undeserving lepers were cleansed, only one returned to glorify God and worship loudly.  If the ‘majority’ determines your vote, you might very well be in the wrong party. Unequivocal Response   Luke 19v1-10

Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully when he asked to stay at his house.  His donation to the poor and restoration of any false gain showed his repentance and faith. Today His offer still stands for all of us stuck on the sycamore trees. What is our response?

Unconditional Faithfulness   Luke 19v12
The call in the parable to “occupy till I come” was obeyed by two of three servants who were considered faithful, commended and rewarded.  One wasted his talent, because he thought he was given too little. How much has the Master given you, and what are you doing with it?

Unhindered Availability   Luke 19v29-3
Finally, the owners of the donkey and colt at Bethphage, did not resist their colt being taken and used.  We are told, “The Lord has need of them” were the only words they needed to hear to let go of what they had. What do you own, that the Lord has need of?

When Jesus is part way down the Hosanna Rd, in the middle of the loud joyous praise, he reaches the point where he could see the city of Jerusalem. He stops the procession, and looks at the city. There were tears in his eyes. He saw the beauty of the city and its people and their desire for peace – but foresaw their awaiting destruction because they did not recognise or accept him as their Messiah. He still has much reason to weep today. To see billions of humans charging ahead on the highway to destruction. But those of us, whose eyes are opened, are called to follow him, in his steps, on the road to the Heavenly Jerusalem.

William R. Newell once said “That saint who advances on his knees never retreats.”  The New Year is a timely reminder that the engine room of a local church is prayer.  Prayer either collectively or individually; time spent on our knees before God and with God is God’s primary mechanism for empowering His servants.  Looking through the scriptures we notice that that powerful men and women of God were characterised by being people of prayer.

In the 18^th chapter of 1 Kings the prophet Elijah provides us with an excellent model for powerful prayer.  The land was years in drought, and God had demonstrated His power on Mt Carmel by burning up the soaking sacrifice in the contest with the prophets of Ba’al.  After which Elijah says to Ahab:

“Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:41 – 46

This passage teaches us four things to practice in our prayer life:

Perspective – We need to get things in their proper perspective.  A wise Elder once told me, “feed your soul before you feed your body and you’ll make it through the day.”  Ahab ate and drank, Elijah prayed.

Position – Elijah prayed faced down before God.  To often we rely on the grace of God and approach His throne without due respect. He is our Father but He is also God Almighty.

Perception – Elijah looked out to the sea full of expectation of the coming rain.  When we pray we must pray with faith, knowing our God can do all things. Notice that Elijah “heard” the sound of rushing rain before there was even a cloud in the sky.

Persistence – he bowed before God seven times before an answer came.

James referring to Elijah wrote “The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.”  Let us look forward to the coming year and may faith, prayer and obedience undergird it.

What is Christmas really about?

A very common question that we ask ourselves during this festive season.

As Christians, we know that Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus. But, is it really so? The only thing that I can think of that’s mentioned in the bible and can be still seen today during Christmas is the manger where Jesus was born – only with a few adaptations to suit our twenty first century mind. Is it about Santa, Christmas trees, Carols and Crackers which dominate the season?

How do you explain: some people dressed up in funny red caps with swinging white furred balls at the end, or some who design complex algorithms for family reunions, or some virtually spending their waking hours in a shopping mall?

The Australian Retailers Association says this year as a nation we will spend a record $33 billion over Christmas – almost 6 per cent over last year. Can that explain what Christmas is really about?

So all the hustle and bustle of the season apart, is there anything that we can learn this Christmas?

Saviour is born, not made
It’s been a topic of immense discussion as to whether leaders are born or are they made? Now, I’m not sure as to which one’s true. Maybe both are, maybe none of them is!

However when it comes to a Saviour, the angels makes it very clear. Luke tells us in his gospel that the angels declared, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour…” A Saviour had to be born because he couldn’t be made. The perfect sacrifice was prepared in heaven and sent down, as it couldn’t be done any other way.

Humble King
I wonder how many people given a chance to choose their birthplace would have chosen a cattle shed? or humiliation from acquaintances? or the death on a cross with two criminals for company? Yet that’s exactly what Christmas reminds us of.

Paul reminds Philippians of this very thing when he says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, …made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. …He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Sacrificial Love
“Love thy neighbour as yourself, but choose your neighbourhood.” says Louise Beal. Our grandest idea of love falls short when we think of the love that made God sent his only son to this earth. He chose the neighbourhood. Neighbours who would later cry ‘Crucify Him’ at the gates of Pilate.

Surprisingly, there’s not much about Santa or the crackers in the Bible!

So what do YOU think is Christmas really about?

In the October 2006 edition of NSW Assemblies Outreach, Dr. W. D Archbold relayed an amazing story about answered prayer.  It is a factual story, and supporting documents can be found in the Maritime Office in Canberra.

The story begins on a fine autumn morning in the year of 1829.  A small sloop named the “Mermaid” was anchored in Sydney Cove, and was preparing to slip its moorings in time for the early morning outward tide.  Its destination was Raffles Bay, on the coast of Arnhem Land (NT). The trip was uneventful until they reached Torres Strait, and despite Captain Nolbrow’s expert navigational skills they hit a coral reef and sank.  The 18 crew and the captain crawled onto a rock and three days later the crew of a schooner “Swiftsure”, saw them and rescued them.

Unfortunately their elation was to be short lived as just two days later the “Swiftsure” ran aground and was wrecked.  The 14 men off the “Swiftsure” joined the 18 men off the “Mermaid” in the boiling seas.  The “Grovenor Ready” which was a much larger ship and had a crew of 32, later rescued them. On the way to Papua the “Grovenor Ready” was incredibly gutted by fire and destroyed. Fortune favoured them again as the government cutter “Comet” rescued them. They were getting used to the badly overcrowded ship, when they ran into a storm and the “Comet” was overturned and sank. For 18 hours they clung to any piece of flotsam that they could lay their hands upon.

The lookout that was on a ship named “Jupiter” which was bound for Western Australia yelled at the top of his voice “Men in the water off the starboard bow”.  Boats were lowered and all the men were again saved and came on board the “Jupiter”.  They were warming themselves up after being hours in the water and lo and behold the “Jupiter” hit a coral reef, was badly holed and began to sink.

Now we have 123 men with their five Captains wondering what was going on.  Was there a Jonah on board?  Was someone a murderer?  The entire dejected group were sitting on a rock when a schooner named “The City of Leeds” saw their plight and rescued them.  This ship was a passenger ship and had a doctor on board who attended to any of the medical problems of the passengers.

The Doctor noticed that some of the men spoke with Yorkshire accents.  So he said “I have a passenger who is quite ill and has prayed that she might see her son whom she has not seen for some years.  If one of you could pretend to be her son she may rally and get well. She comes from Whitby.” One of the men was from Whitby and seemed to be about the right age.  “You will do fine” said the doctor, “but get the name right.  Her son’s name is Peter Richardson.” With tears streaming down his cheeks the mariner said “I am Peter Richardson”.

Peter was a crewman on the original ship the “Mermaid.”

Be amazed and encouraged.  Remember James 5v16 – “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”.