Cathedral Church Service 07 June 2020

[Music] I've told you these things so that in me you may have peace in this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world welcome to San Andres Cathedral Sydney Australia and church at home our online ministry in this season of coronavirus we're not able to meet together but all those who are united to Christ by faith are seated with him in the heavenly realms and say by the power of the Holy Spirit we are sharing in the Word of God and the prayers and praise of his people I'm so glad you've joined us in Colossians 3:16 the Apostle says let the word of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through hymns psalms and songs from the spirit singing to God with gratitude in your hearts the God whom Christians worship is Father Son and Holy Spirit one God in three persons if it were not so we could not say that God is in himself love eternally existing in perfect mutual relationship of other person centeredness if it were not so we could not call God Father we could not call ourselves his adopted sons and daughters and we could not say that God is among us and in us by his indwelling Spirit holy holy holy Lord God Almighty early in the morning our song shall rise to you [Music] [Applause] [Music] let's affirm together the faith that we share in the one holy God Father Son and spirit in the words of the Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty Creator of heaven and earth I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified died and was buried he descended to the dead on the third day he rose again from the dead he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father from there he will come to judge the living and the dead I believe in the Holy Spirit the Holy Catholic Church the communion of saints the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting amen before we hear the words of scripture read forest's I'm going to pray that God Himself will be wonderfully at work in us as we hear him speak gracious God your word is alive and active sharper than any double-edged sword today when we hear your voice deliver us from hardness of heart help us to put away everything that keeps us from persevering in your way for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ I mean the first reading is from Psalm 29 ascribe to the Lord new heavenly beings ascribe to the Lord glory and strength ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name worship the Lord in the splendor of His Holiness the voice of the Lord is over the waters the god of glory thunders the Lord thunders over the mighty waters the voice of the Lord is powerful the voice of the Lord is majestic the voice of the Lord breaks the Cedars the Lord breaks in pieces The Cedars of Lebanon he makes Lebanon leap like a calf Syrian like a young wild ox the voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning the voice of the Lord shakes the desert the Lord shakes the desert of Kadesh the voice of the Lord twists the Oaks and strips the forests bare and in his temple all cry glory the Lord sits enthroned over the flood the Lord is enthroned as king forever the Lord gives strength to his people the Lord blesses his people with peace this is the word of the Lord thanks be to God the second reading is from the Gospel of John chapter 16 verses 16 to 33 Jesus went on to say in a little while you will see me no more and then after a little while you will see me at this some of his disciples said to one another what does he mean by saying in a little while you will see me no more and then after a little while you will see me and because I am going to the Father they kept asking what does he mean by a little while we don't understand what he's saying Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this so he said to them are you asking one another what I meant when I said in a little while you will see me no more and then after a little while you will see me very truly I tell you you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices you will grieve but your grief will turn to joy a woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world so with you now is your time of grief but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy in that day you will no longer ask me anything very truly I tell you my father will give you whatever you ask in my name until now you have not asked for anything in my name ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete though I have been speaking figuratively a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my father in that day you will ask in my name I'm not saying that I will ask the father on your behalf no the father himself loves you because you've loved me and have believed that I came from God I came from the Father and entered the world now I'm leaving the world and going back to the Father then that Jesus disciples said now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions this makes us believe that you came from God do you now believe jesus replied a time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered each to your own home you will leave me all alone yet I am NOT alone for my father is with me I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace in this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world this is the word of the Lord thanks be to God [Music] let's the [Music] my son [Music] see like [Music] the it's a dude it's time this your song whatever may mas lies [Music] let me see when the evening [Music] my [Music] seemed like my [Music] it [Music] is great and your heart is fine for all your I will keep on singing [Music] for my [Music] my soul my soul worship Oh [Music] that day when my strength is failing the end draws near and the time has come still my snow will sing your praise [Music] have [Music] my soul [Music] like Oh [Music] lord i worship [Music] house before his arrest and executions Jesus says to his small group of frightened followers in the world you'll have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world the Bible knows this world in which we live the psalmist in the Old Testament says our days may come to seventy years or 80 if our strength and doers yet the best of them about trouble and sorrow for they quickly pass and we fly away we resonate with the words though they were written three-and-a-half thousand years ago they speak to us of the world in which we live - we could not have guessed just a few months ago the trouble that would engulf the world and while in Australia through the efforts of many and a great cost we have in God's mercy been able to contain the spread of coronavirus it continues to wreak havoc in many places across the globe from Asia and the Middle East to Europe and America and of course this week we've been dismayed to see the trouble in the United States lawlessness among law enforcers met with the lawlessness of rioters and looters while countless others walk and weep and stand and kneel and pray for justice and peace in this world Jesus told his followers you will have trouble whether it is the consequences of human sin or foolishness the bondage of creation to decay and diseases or inner doubts fears and guilts human life is lived in the context of trouble trouble is common trouble is constant and trouble is real in Chapter 13 to 16 of John's Gospel we hear the words of Jesus to his disciples on the night of his arrest the last hours of his earthly life his eleven disciples are fearful and anxious and Jesus has sought to comfort them he's made great promises to them of his continuing presence and power with them in the person of his Spirit he's urged them to remain in him and his words and he's warned them to expect persecution and being hated by the world finally he says to them in verse 33 I've told you these things so that in me you may have peace in this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world can you see that Jesus says the very opposite of if you become a Christian then that will be the end of your trouble can you see that the ordinary Christian life is not one that escapes trouble but one that faces trouble Jesus doesn't say I have told you these things so that you may have peace in the world he says I have told you these things so that you may have peace in me but in the world you'll have trouble he doesn't say I've overcome the world now the world will be a safe place for you he says I have overcome the world but in the world you will have trouble so here's something to know about following Jesus from the lips of Jesus following Jesus is no flight from trouble God loves you and has a plan for your life and it includes trouble but in the midst of trouble you may have peace in Jesus in him the followers of Jesus have peace in the midst of trouble well there are a couple of questions that arise for us I think what is the source of the peace that Jesus provides and second what is the substance of the peace Jesus provides where does it come from and what is it like the source of peace and the substance of peace first the source of peace death and resurrection Jesus says in verse 16 in a little while you will see me no more and then after a little while you will see me the disciples are confused what does he mean what is he talking about why does he keep saying after a little while you will seem it the disciples can't understand but Jesus gives them two clues to prepare them the first clue is in verse 20 I tell you the truth you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices you will grieve but your grief will give way to joy he's speaking of the grief of the Cross and the joy of his resurrection they will grieve when they see their master dying on a cross but John records that later they see the resurrected Jesus they are overwhelmed with joy but there's more than the grief of Jesus death being overtaken by the joy of his resurrection there's the joy of the new age a second clue in verse 21 Jesus says a woman giving birth to a child has pain because her hour has come but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born in the world Jesus uses a common experience to explain how their grief will be turned to joy like a mother giving birth who has great pain in child labor but whose pain is overtaken by her joy when her child is born but is not only using this image as a convenient way of talking about the grief that gives way to joy the image of the woman in labor is an image the Old Testament uses to talk about the coming of the kingdom of God the time when God's reign breaks out on the earth when the wicked and the oppressors are judged and done away with when the humble and oppressed are lifted up and freed when sin and death are overthrown and sickness and decay and disaster come to an end and the whole creation is renewed in the presence of its maker it's judge and it's Redeemer the new age in the Old Testament the image of the woman in labor is used as a way of speaking about the convulsions that must take place before the new age of the kingdom of God is given birth a way of talking about the trouble that gives way to joy a way of talking about the death and resurrection of Jesus in the cross the sin of the world is dealt with in the resurrection the world to come is put on display it is not coming its fullness but its arrival has been guaranteed when the disciples see Jesus resurrected from the dead they will not just see their friend and master again they will see that the new age of the kingdom of God has come they will not merely enjoy reunion they will see that he is victorious over death and and the devil they will burst with joy in Dean it'll transform them utterly and they themselves will transform the world proclaiming the death that death has been defeated and Jesus is both Lord and judge of all CS Lewis said if you read history you'll find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next the first Christians overturn millennia old patterns and began to worship a man as God they overturned generations of inequality and separation as rich and poor male and female slave and free Jew and Gentile regarded each other as brothers and sisters as fellow heirs with Christ as members of one family whose father was God they treasured the life of the newborn and the elderly and those disfigured by disease because resurrection showed that bodies matter and that death is not the end they treated the sick and dying without fear for their own lives because Jesus was raised from the dead and would raise them too they established food banks and other help for those who needed it because the poor were not under God's judgment but made in His image neighbors to be loved not victims to be shamed and when waves of persecution crashed over them they died meekly trusting in Christ and bravely refusing to deny him because they were content that their work was done and they were convinced they were entering a better life they died singing because they knew that their future did not depend on their performance or their projects but had been secured by Jesus who died for their sins and was raised again the source of all their peace and joy and comfort and hope was the death and resurrection of Jesus these are in-between times the new age has begun yet it is not coming its fullness death has been defeated yet death still a reality Jesus has overcome the world but in this world there is still trouble for those who follow him but in a world of trouble there is peace in Jesus the resurrection means there is nothing more important upon which to build your life than the truth of Jesus Christ and there is nothing lost if following Jesus costs you everything you have what is the source of the peace that Jesus provides in the midst of trouble his death and resurrection sin and guilt and death are dealt with death has been conquered there is a new world coming and the Spirit has been poured out to indwell those who are his and produce a life of faith hope and love second what is the substance of the peace that Jesus provides in the midst of trouble what is the ordinary Christians experience of peace in the midst of trouble Jesus says in verse 31 I've told you these things so that in me you may have peace well what are the things he has told them he's told them he'll send the one who is like him the Spirit of Truth he'll remind them and teach them and guide them into all the truth that they are too weary and too frightened to hear that night in chapter 15 Jesus has told his disciples to remain in his words in his commands in his love connected to him like branches in a vine he's told them to serve one another as he has served them he's told them to love one another as he has loved them he's told them to expect to be hated by the world as he was hated by the world because a servant is not greater than their master the spirit the word of his love each other in today's passage there are two characteristics of the ordinary Christians experience of peace in the midst of trouble amove ebinger and unlimited access first immovable joy in Jesus in verse 22 Jesus says now is the time of your grief but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy I will see you again and you will rejoice the joy of the resurrection is the joy of Jesus victory over sin and death the joy of the dawning of the new world the joy of vindication for Jesus followers the joy of the coming spirit who will be Jesus presence with his people this joy will not be taken away the Lord says it is invincible immovable eternal joy it's not the same as happiness in the midst of trouble they'll have joy but they will not always be happy indeed the Apostle Paul will later speak of sorrowing yet always rejoicing it's not mere enjoyment there's usually nothing to enjoy about trouble but they can be joy in the midst of trouble a settled confidence assurance and peace Jesus lives Jesus reigns there's a new world coming of truth and justice and beauty the future is secure joy that no one can take away because it is anchored in history it's not an inner subjective fleeting feeling it's an historic objective intervention in the universe jesus is risen from the dead and immoveable joy not a way out of the pain but more than a way through it second the ordinary Christians experience of peace in Jesus in the midst of the trouble in the world is unlimited access to the Father in verse 25 we read the words of Jesus a time is coming when I will tell you plainly about my father in that day you will ask in my name the resurrected Jesus gives access to the Father by his word I will tell you plainly about my father and by our prayers you will ask in my name verse 26 I'm not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf no the father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God now if you know your Bible then you know that in other places it says that Jesus lives to intercede for us but here Jesus says he doesn't ask the Father on our behalf they are slightly different in meaning Jesus intercedes on behalf of sinners he speaks to the Father on our behalf that his death on the cross might be accepted as penalty for our sin he intercedes in that way but on the basis of his death on the cross for our sakes we present our requests to God we pray in Jesus name on the basis of his death but we address God directly as father for he loves to hear from his adopted children and he delights to give good gifts we have no need of priests or saints or gurus or even the mother of Jesus we may call god father and he will hear us the death and resurrection of Jesus bring about a new access to the Father for the followers of Jesus we know the father through the word of the son we approach the father in the name of the son we address God ourselves because God hears us as his own children God loves those who love his son his son gave up his life on the cross for the redemption of the world and God loves those who see what Jesus has done and trust in it and loved the son for what he has done do you do you see that what Jesus has done he has done for you to be your Savior to bear your sin to give you his righteousness to establish his kingdom do you love Jesus for that the father loves those who love his son God loves you for that the substance of peace in the midst of trouble unlimited access the Father loves those who love his son he welcomes their prayers he hears and he answers peace in the world is rare and peace even in our own lives can seem elusive certainly we cannot aspire to peace in the world without trouble the most we can hope for is peace in the midst of trouble what is the source of such peace Christ has died Christ is risen Christ will come again by his work on the cross and the empty tomb Jesus has made it possible for those who follow him to find peace in him in the midst of a world of trouble the king of God's kingdom has come and his kingdom has broken in and its fullness will soon come so we have peace in him and what is the substance of this peace what is it like it is invincible joy in our risen Savior not just reunion but the recreation of the world began and it is unlimited access to the Father by his word and spirit confident of the Father's love for those who love his son amen [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] Jeremiah 17 declares cursed is the one whose heart turns away from the Lord but blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord whose confidence is in him let's express our own confidence in the God who freely forgives praying together this prayer of confession Heavenly Father we praise you for adopting us as your children and making us heirs of eternal life in your mercy you have washed us from our sins and made us clean in your sight yet we still fail to love you and serve you as we should forgive us our sins and renew us by your grace that we may continue to grow as members of Christ in whom alone is our salvation amen our Lord Jesus Christ was sacrificed once and for all to bear the sins of many God therefore forgives all those who look to his son for mercy amen let's continue in a time of Prayer first with today's colic and then together in the words of the Lord's Prayer let's pray Almighty and everlasting God you have given us your servants grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the Eternal Trinity and by your divine power to worship you as one we humbly pray that you would keep us steadfast in his faith and evermore defend us from all adversities through Christ our Lord amen our Father in heaven Hallowed be your name your kingdom come your will be done on earth as in heaven give us today our daily bread forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for the kingdom the power and the glory are yours now and forever amen let us pray though the fig tree may not blossom nor fruit be on the vines though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food though the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls yet will I rejoice in the Lord I will joy in the God of my salvation with the trust and confidence expressed in these words of the Prophet Habakkuk so long ago we come before you today Lord rejoicing in your faithfulness and in the salvation that you have brought us through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ we bring before you Lord those among us who in recent times have experienced what Habakkuk speaks of the loss of work and income we pray for practical help for those in need and ask for your blessing upon the efforts of all who seek to provide assistance we especially remember those whose loss has been even greater those who have lost loved ones we pray that they will be comforted that the void of loss will be filled by your love and the knowledge of your presence with them we saw Oh Lord when we hear the news of the situation in the United States and when and we bring before you that land and its people we pray that you would heal the deep rifts in their society that ways may be found to overcome racial social and economic injustice 'as and the structures and attitudes that produce them we pray that you would raise up leaders of integrity and true wisdom who deserve and can win the trust of the people leaders who do not think of their own advantage but of the well-being of all who are not fixated on material things that you are driven by spiritual values we lift up before you your people in that land and pray that you would give them strength and courage to be a light in the darkness bless the peacemakers and help them to show a better way we also pray Lord for all those lands still sorely afflicted by the covert 19 pandemic we pray for their leaders that you would give them wisdom in dealing with the situation and making the right decisions we pray for all those on the front line especially all medical workers please guard and keep them and provide them with all they need to do their tasks safely we ask this today especially for India we pray for the medical system there that it will be able to cope with the flood of patients who need help but ways will be found to overcome deficiencies we pray for the millions of workers and their families who live from hand to mouth and have now lost any chance of earning a living and we ask that ways will be found to support and help them but those with means will be moved to give to those who lack we also bring before you your church in India fill them with your spirit and help them to be a witness to your saving grace give them opportunities to be a channel of your love for their neighbors and granted their example may bring others to faith in you Lord we bring before you our church family here at sinned andrews cathedral we thank you for the faithful preaching of your word in this place and we ask that you would continue to bless the ministry valdine Kanishka and of Chris Steve Ruth and Brian we pray for Ross and the ministry of the choir and we ask for your blessing on the many others who faithfully serve you and witness to the gospel in this place we thank you for the online services and for the work of all those who produce them we give thanks that we're able to meet for fellowship online and pray that we would all continue to be encouraged in the faith and grow in love and fellowship with one another help us all to persevere in our walk with you in these times have changed routines and to focus our hearts and minds on you when we are so easily distracted and as restrictions on gatherings are gradually being lifted we pray for all those throughout the diocese who will be planning for returned to face to face meetings and ministry we commend to you the Cathedral ministry team and the members of chapter and the congregation who will be deliberating the way forward for us and pray that you would give wisdom when decisions have to be taken and that plans will be carefully made and that we would all have patience to wait until the time is right all these things we ask for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ your son and our Savior amen thanks for joining us online this Sunday morning let's close our time together by asking that God himself might provide everything that we have need of as we live this week in his love and service gracious God you made an eternal covenant with us through the blood of your son and brought him back from the dead as a great Shepherd of your sheep equip us with everything good for doing your will work in us what is pleasing to you through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever amen [Music] you

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Length: 44min 54sec (2694 seconds)

Published: Sat Jun 06 2020