“But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take car of my needs.”  Philippians 2:25

• On our journey through life, God provides us with many fellow travellers.
•  There are people who encourage us (mentors).
•  There are people we encourage (mentorees).
•  There are people who are soul-friends (brothers and sisters in the faith).
•  Paul had these 3 kinds of relationships.

1.  BARNABAS, his mentor.

•  Barnabas, “son of encouragement”, is first described in Acts 4.
•  Then, in Acts 9, we read how Barnabas helped Paul after his conversion.
•  In Acts 11, we read how Barnabas helped to train Paul in ministry.
•  I have had numbers of mentors over the years who have taken an interest in me, encouraged me, inspired me.

2.  TIMOTHY, his mentoree.

•  When Paul visited Lystra he met a young believer called Timothy whose mother was a Jew and his father, a Greek.
•  Paul must have seen Timothy’s potential and took him with him on his missionary journey to Macedonia and Greece.
•  Timothy was like a son to Paul.  Paul loved him and gave him careful instructions in two letters he wrote to him.
•  Mary and I have been incredibly blessed through our mentoring of a couple in Sydney.

3.  EPAPHRODITUS, his soul-friend

•  Paul refers to Epaphroditus as his brother, co-worker and fellow soldier who risked his life for Paul.
•  Friendship is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.
•  Jesus, remarkably, called his disciples his friends.
•  David and Jonathan’s friendship is a model relationship of kindred spirits.
•  Friendships are precious and should be nurtured and protected.

Bible readings:  1 Samuel 18:1-4, 19:1-7, Philippians 2:12-30

“In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage,”  Philippians 2:5,6

• In the classic book, In His Steps, the writer imagined what would happen if a person asked the question, “What would Jesus do?” when faced with a decision.

• Paul urges his readers in Philippi to adopt the same attitude of mind that Jesus had when they dealt with people.

• We are to follow Jesus; to do what he did; to say what he said; to be committed to what he was committed to.

• Our actions are not to be motivated by selfish ambition or vain conceit.  We are to take the humble path.

• Humility is the most important evidence of Christian character.

• It is the opposite of pride, which is the worst of all sins.

• In Numbers 12, Aaron and Miriam tried to undermine Moses’ leadership.  Their pride contrasted with Moses’ humility.

• God opposes the proud.  He says that he hates pride and arrogance.  (Proverbs 8:13).

• About Jesus, Paul says:

1.  VERSE 6: JESUS IS IN VERY NATURE GOD.

• Jesus is equal to, one with and undivided from God.  He did not need to snatch at or seize this position.  He did not use it to his own advantage.

2.  VERSE 7:  JESUS MADE HIMSELF NOTHING.

• Literally, he emptied himself of his glory and was made in human likeness. He shows us how God behaves when he is fully present in a man.

3.  VERSE 8:  JESUS HUMBLED HIMSELF.

• He was totally obedient to God in all he did.  His humility was demonstrated especially in his washing of his disciples’ feet and ultimately in the crucifixion.

4.  VERSE 9:  JESUS WAS EXALTED BY GOD.

• As a result of his obedience, Jesus is exalted to the highest place and one day every person will acknowledge his as Lord.

• Jesus’ way of living is to be our way.  In our relationships, do we have the same attitude of mind that Jesus has?

Bible readings:  Numbers 12:1-16, Philippians 2:1-11

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  Philippians 1:20,21

• The Christian life has sometimes been wrongly described as being problem-free and difficulty-free.

• Jesus never said this would be so and neither did Paul.

• Straight after his conversion, Paul was told that he would suffer greatly on behalf of Jesus.

• How two Christians respond totally differently to great losses in their lives.

• We can be sure that Paul did not welcome suffering , but could see how his suffering advanced the gospel.

• In Romans 8:28 he wrote: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

• Perseverance through trials qualifies us to speak and testify with power and effect.

• When Jerusalem was under siege during the time of Jeremiah, King Hezekiah had a new respect for the prophet when it became clear how he endured suffering.

• The Belgian priest, Father Damien, struggled in his ministry to lepers on the Hawaiian island of Molokai until he, too, contracted leprosy.

• Similarly, those who have suffered from cancer are best placed to empathize with those diagnosed with cancer.

• Paul was not looking for escape from his trials.  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

• Paul demonstrates what a man in prison awaiting execution can achieve.

• John Bunyan, writer of Pilgrim’s Progress, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer also achieved great things during imprisonment.

• Lindy Chamberlain wrote this about her experience of wrongful imprisonment: “Many was the lime I could not see which way God was directing, but I could look back later and see the reason for it.  Often I wondered why I was going through a particular rough patch, and then a letter would arrive from a stranger; somebody who wanted to tell me that, because of my example, because of what had happened to me……..then they could cope with their problems too.”

Bible readings:  Jeremiah 38:1-13, Philippians 1:12-30

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,” Philippians 1:9

• The gospel came to Philippi in Macedonia through Paul, Silas and Timothy between 49 and 52 A.D. as described in Acts 16.

• Philippi was a Roman colony and an important centre.  There were few Jews there and no synagogue.

• As a result of Paul’s preaching beside a river, a woman called Lydia believed.

• Then, after being imprisoned, Paul and Silas witnessed to a jailer who became a Christian.

• These people would have helped to form a new church in Philippi.

• Paul had a great affection for the people of the growing church and wrote to them, probably from Rome where he was a prisoner awaiting execution.

• His purposes were to tell them of his situation; to encourage them to persevere; to inform them of his plans in sending Timothy and Epaphroditus to them, and, above all, to encourage a spirit of unity among them.

• His letter begins formally with a greeting; “grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

• He then overflows with thanksgiving for the Christians of Philippi who he praises as partners in ministry with him.

• We should treasure those who support us: Jesus did; David did; we all can.

• Paul prays, firstly, THAT THEIR LOVE MAY ABOUND MORE AND MORE IN KNOWLEDGE AND DEPTH OF INSIGHT.

• Love is the heart and soul of the gospel, so we would expect that this is what Paul would pray for.

• He prays that love would abound in knowledge and insight.  He wants their love to be INFORMED and INTELLIGENT, not ignorant and indulgent.

• Secondly, Paul prays that this informed and insightful commitment will lead the people to discern what is best and result in them being pure and blameless.

• The good can be the enemy of the best.  The best for us is what Paul describes in verse 11: the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.

• The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Jesus, reproduced within us.

Bible readings:  Proverbs 11:2-31, Philippians 1:1-11

 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.  “May it be to me according to your word.”  Then the angel left her.  Luke 1:38

• Imitation, the Parkes Elvis Festival and the art of impersonation.

• Who do we imitate?  Who do we follow?  Who do we serve?  We serve somebody.

• Mary, the mother of Jesus, sets us a great example of risky discipleship.

• There is much we do not know about Mary – but we do know that she was of humble background and humble nature.

• She must have been an extraordinary person to have been chosen to bear God’s Son.

• 3 things the angel said to Mary:

1.  SHE WAS HIGHLY FAVOURED.

• Along with God’s favour goes great responsibility.  To whom much is given, much is expected.

• Bringing up and guiding children is a great responsibility.

• Children are great imitators.  As recipients of grace we are to be gracious and faithful.

2.  GOD WAS WITH HER.

• Mary would be supported by Joseph, but more importantly by God.

• She faced up to incredible challenges and God was with her in all of them.

• The Cross is the ultimate evidence that God is with us in all circumstances, especially those that cause us grief and pain.

3.  THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD COME UPON HER AND THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH WOULD OVERSHADOW HER.

• A miracle would take place in and through Mary.

• Mary’s responsibility at first was to believe what she was told and accept that God would do what he said.

• A Christmas miracle happened in drought-stricken Peak Hill in 1994.

• As Christians we are highly favoured people; God is with us; the Holy Spirit wants to come upon us and the Most High overshadow us.

• Our response?  I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me according to your word.

Bible Readings:  2 Samuel 7:1-16, Luke 1:26-38

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

• The times sure are changing, but God never changes and nor does Jesus

• In the light of all that God has done for us through Jesus, the writer of Hebrews exhorts his readers to live in particular ways.

1.  BE LOVING

• We are to love one another as brothers and sisters.

• Practise hospitality, remember those who are imprisoned and suffering.

2.  BE PURE

• Marriage is to be honoured, not cheapened or twisted to suit your preferences.

• Rebellion against God’s ways is an ongoing issue in our world.

3.  BE CONTENT

• Ambition to succeed in God’s work is not to be stifled.

• Covetousness, envy, greed and the lust for more possessions are to be rejected too.

4.  BE LOYAL

• We are to take notice of wise people who have gone before us.

• We should be wary of those who claim to have “new truth” – the  “progressives”.

5.  BE BOLD

• Jesus was crucified outside the walls of the city, a reminder of his willingness to suffer abuse and rejection.

6.  BE WORSHIPFUL

• Come early to church and pray for “holy expectancy”.

• Praise will often involve sacrifice on our part.

7.  A BLESSING

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep…

8.  FINAL GREETINGS

• Instruction to heed.  God’s Word is to be obeyed.

• Fellowship to cherish.  Let love for one another flourish.

• Grace to appropriate.  The Christian faith is all about grace.

Bible reading:  Psalm 150, Hebrews 13:1-25

This is especially for those who wish to remember and give thanks for loved ones who have died.  There will be the opportunity in the service to light a small candle as an act of remembrance for those who are particularly missed at Christmas time.

Carol Service -Sunday 18th December at 7pm

Christmas Eve Service -Saturday 24th December at 7pm

Christmas Day Service -Sunday 25th December at 9:30am

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire”.  Hebrews 12:28,29

• Fire burns, heats, cooks, refines and consumes.
• There are many references to fire in the Old and New Testaments.
• In God’s presence our sins are both exposed and consumed.
• The writer of Hebrews in chapter 12 affirms that his readers now belong to a SPIRITUAL, ETERNAL and UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM.

1.  SPIRITUAL KINGDOM.  The Old Covenant was given from Mount Sinai, a physical place where God revealed himself in awesome and frightening ways.

(a) The divine voice was so overwhelming the people did not want to hear.  But now, under the New Covenant, we must not ignore what he says.

(b) The divine presence was unapproachable.  But now a way has been opened up for us to enter God’s presence.

2.  AN ETERNAL KINGDOM.  Our destiny is incredibly wonderful.

(a) The book of Revelation gives us glimpses of heaven.

(b) In 90 Minutes in Heaven Don Piper describes the wonder of heaven as he saw it.

3.  AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM.  The world continues to be shaken by God, as prophesied by Haggai.  We give practical expression for our indebtedness to Jesus Christ by our obedience, confidence and reverence.

(a) Obedience.

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.  Hebrews 12:25a

How American Quakers listened and obeyed.

(2)  Confidence.

We belong to an order that cannot be shaken.  In the midst of instability, change, turbulence, apostasy, hardship and moral decay we do not despair.

(3)  Reverence.

We are to be thankful worshippers of God who do so with reverence and awe, remembering that our God is a consuming fire.

Bible readings:  Exodus 19:16-25, Hebrews 12:18-29

The money raised goes to “Act of Peace”. The international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia which has undergone many transformations since its inception in 1948.  As an organisation, it is indebted to the churches of Australia for working together to promote our shared humanity across Australia.

Its services began in 1948 with the sending of food and non-food items to refugees and internally displaced people following the Second World War.  On Christmas Day 1949, the Reverend Frank Byatt of Victoria placed an empty bowl on the dinner table and asked all present to give what they considered to be the cost of the meal.  Frank urged his guests to reflect on their good fortunes and encouraged them to do something selfless for the people around the world who are victims of disease, poverty and violence.

This small but significant gesture of charity has resonated deeply with thousands of Australians and has shown that we all have the ability to make a difference, no matter how small the gift.  This action became the very first Christmas Bowl appeal.  It only raised £1808, but has now reached over $2 million each year.

The young people looked stunning and surprised us with their dancing, which they had worked on for many hours during the preceding weeks.  After the formal part of the evening, everyone was invited to join in the dancing, which continued until the early hours of the morning.

A big thank you to the Cantrill family for all their work in making the night a success, and to those volunteers who to helped in the kitchen, or waiting tables or in cleaning up etc.