Coomera Baptist Church

Ironically one of the ways our culture judges Christianity and finds it wanting is the bibles teaching that the who God exists will one day judge us.Increasingly, were told that we shouldnt believe in a God of judgement, and that if Gods people suffer in this world thats evidence that there isnt a good God who judges rightly. 1 Thessalonians 1: 5-10 says the opposite. We might be tempted to reject the very idea of judgement, but in this passage Paul seems to think that understanding Gods righteous judgement just might be one of things Gods uses to comfort you and get you home.

There are many things in our lives to give thanks for. But how often do we take the time to give thanks to God for the Church? This week we see that it is right to give thanks for the work of grace in the people of God. And its right to boast about peoples firm faith in hard times since it encourages people to remain steadfast.

How does waiting for Jesus shape our lives today? The Church in Thessalonica were facing problems of persecution, false claims and idleness. In Pauls opening greeting, he grounds them in 'who they are' - a people united to God, and in 'what they need' - grace and peace from Christ to help them stand firm as they await Christs return.

What is the greatest gift that is offered in the gospel? After establishing the covenant at the base of the mountain, Moses and the other representatives of Israel go up the mountain to the ultimate blessing of the covenant. There they are invited to see, behold and feast with God in his holy presence.

The time has come for the covenant between God and Israel to be formally established. Every element of this ceremony is full of purpose and meaning. Israel commits to do all that the Lord has commanded - but will they? Their subsequent failure dramatically displays all of our failure to keep God's law. So what do we do with our sin? The answer: run from self-righteousness to the righteousness of Christ.

God intends to bring His people to the promise land, bring them victory and bring them blessing. In response, they are are to believe in His promises and heed His warnings. Where Israel failed in this task, Christ succeeded. He is our divine messenger who has gone before us, securing victory for our heavenly home and will bring us safely there. Therefore we shall pay careful attention to His words.

Exodus Part 2 #19 - Watch at: https://youtu.be/8UOSgUoHSe0

As Israel enters their whole new world of life in the promised land, how they remember their history will dictate how they live. If they forget they were once sojourners, they were oppressed, they were poor, they cried out for justice and the Lord heard them, then they will just become another oppressive Egypt. But God's people are called to lives consecrated to God, different to the world. All of this holds enormous implications for the church today.

As Gods people, we have a responsibility for the preservation and protection of other peoples property and possessions. When we fail in this responsibility, we are to provide full restitution determined by damages. This helps preserve relationships, protect the community and show forth Gods character of justice.

Exodus Part 2 #16 - Watch at: https://youtu.be/NwlB4Rb9WCM

Watch at: https://youtu.be/_A0P2H_1H7A

Exodus Part 2 #15 - Watch at: https://youtu.be/GO7Yjjbexh8

Exodus Part 2 #14 - Watch at: https://youtu.be/UiqR4NkwOB4

Coveting is an inordinate desire to have what belongs to someone else. As Augustine said, Coveting is wanting more than enough. The command gets to our hearts and calls us to love the giver of gifts more than the gifts themselves. The remedy to coveting is contentment. And we have this contentment through the person of Christ and by trusting the good provisions of the Father.

The God who rescues his people is a holy God. This calls us who have been reconciled to him to become holy. As the grace of salvation works itself out into our whole lives, we will become like him in being set apart from the fallen world.

We live in a world filled with lies where the truth is hard to find. People lie to themselves, about themselves, and to others. As a result, relationships are broken, reputations are ruined, and even lives are lost. But Gods people are not to be lie speakers but rather truth tellers. This command is obeyed by not being a false witness, but rather a faithful witness, seeking to speak truth to one another.

The command moves us away from stealing and towards stewardship, seeking to use what God has given us for the advancement of other. By being content with what Hes given to us, and having regard for what Hes given to others, we, like Christ, can posture our life to be one of giving not taking and so maximise Gods glory here on earth.

The 7th command is difficult. Not because it's hard to understand, but because it finds us both culturally puzzled about sex and personally pained by our own sexual sins. And yet, into all of our confusion and pain comes Gods word, pointing us down a pathway of joy and pleasure and forgiveness and hope. One that leads us ultimately to his Son who stands facing us as the faithful spouse, inviting us to come to him. All who put their trust in him are so permanently and perfectly united to him that they will live with him forever in a whole new world where death will never separate them.

Exodus Part 2 #9 - Watch at: https://youtu.be/vKMUV3kC8YE

Ruth is a story of how one woman, who lost everything, experienced the kindness of God to put her world back together. As it draws to a conclusion, we see Gods providential plans traced throughout history to provide the greatest redemption story ever told. God is at work even in the darkest of days.

Going after good things in less than godly ways is not the path Christians ought to walk. Through Gods providence, Ruth is able to straighten out a crooked plan that will lead to the provision and protection of not only her future, but the future of Naomi and indeed the world.

Gods providence is at work through the lives of ordinary people as He is unfolding his wonderful plans and moving forward the fulfilment of his promises. His kindness has been at work in the lives of Ruth and Boaz and as such is outworked through their lives in the seeking good of others. Such human responsibility and Gods sovereignty works harmoniously in accomplishing Gods good purposes.

Isaiah 55 is a compelling invitation to the poor and needy to come and receive the abundance of God. His provision is far superior to the temporary pleasures of this world.

Ruth is a story of a woman who lost everything, and the one God - through two peoples kindness - who kept her world together. Its a story about how loyal love can overcome barriers and continue Gods promises. This week, we see three paths to choose from when the pains of life hit, as we learn to trust the heart of God when we cannot trace his hand.

The Christian life ought to be characterised by growth. Just like an infant grows after being born into this world, a child born again by the Spirit should grow too. To this end, Peter appeals to our experience of the Lords goodness, exhorting us to long for the word of God, that by it we may grow toward the inheritance promised to us.

Luke 2:10-11 - Watch at: https://youtu.be/ztci6feIlzQ

The Christmas story is one that has enchanted the world for centuries. Far from being a fable, the announcement of the birth of Jesus is not just true news but also good news. Good news that is worth treasuring and telling others about.

The Christian life is characterised by trials and suffering. But lest this reality lead us to despair, James reminds us that our trials are sovereignly choreographed by our loving Father who is working in and through them to bring about our ultimate good. Though our trials are often accompanied by numerous challenges and temptations, we can take comfort knowing that our good God is on standby ready to help, and willing to give us all the wisdom we need.

Where on earth can we find justice? Theres a yearning in each of our hearts for justice, and yet often we experience injustice. This week we see the comforting truth that no injustice will escape Gods justice and the insightful reality that no injustice is beyond Gods purpose.

What does it mean to honour your father and mother? Does it simply mean that we obey them? Is it ever appropriate to disobey them? Is obedience required at every stage of life? Is honouring your parents meant to look the same when youre forty with four kids of your own, as it did when you were four and still living at home? What would it look like to honour a Dad or a Mum whose conduct was dishonourable?And what does this commandment have to do with Jesus? Listen in as we continue our walk through the 10 Commandments and come to commandment number five.

We remember the sabbath by remembering our saviour. And we remember our saviour together as we regularly gather for worship, anticipating the rest that we can partake of truly now, and fully then. Tom Schriener says, As Christians, then, we obey the Sabbath command by ceasing from our works, placing our trust in Christ, and starting to live into what it means to be his new-covenant people as we await his glorious return."

The name of God represents all that He is, and all that He has done. To take His name lightly, is to take the Lord lightly. The Lords name is taken in vain when it is used in service to things that are untrue, trivial or hypocritical. Instead, Gods name is to be taken on by His people, and taken out to the world so it can be honoured and revered by all.

If the first command was to worship the right God, the second commandment is to worship the right God in the right way. Since our God is invisible, making images of him not only distorts God but dehumanises us. We have hope in the gospel that the invisible God was made visible through Jesus Christ.

The command to have no other gods before me might be relatively short, but it exposes a big problem. The problem of the human heart to look to other gods or idols instead of the one true God. This week we take a look at how to keep this command by worshipping God exclusively, dealing with our idols honestly, and going to Jesus regularly.

Do we obey Gods laws to get saved or rather to live saved? By looking at the context of the law, we see it was one of covenant relationship. This covenant pointed forward to Christ who ultimately fulfilled the law on our behalf. And now through Christ, as members of the new covenant, we seek to obey Gods commands by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. And as James Dolezal says, God is greater than your greatest thought of God. Yet how do an unholy people draw near to a holy God? Through the mediating work of Jesus, we are able come to God worship God with reverence and awe.

In this passage, we see Gods kindness in coming near the people and the peoples reverent response in preparing to come to God.

These final words found in these final verses reminds us of three realities to live a faithful Christian life. That Jesus is beside us, heaven is before us, and Gods grace is with us. Just as Jesus will rescue Paul and bring him safely to heaven, so too for all those whove their trust in Jesus.

In this final section of the letter, Paul gets very personal. Hes still the great Apostle Paul seeking to do gospel ministry till his last breath. But hes also very human. He has been deserted, so he wants Timothy to come to him. Winter is coming, so he wants his coat. He needs things to do, so he wants his books. He lists 9 people. Some are positive, and some are negative. The Christian life must be endured unto the very end.

In our lives we are often unknown, misunderstood, perhaps unprotected and neglected. But in Psalm 139, David rejoices in the Lord who sees every thing in him and about him, who created him, protects him and searches him. He testifies that Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

Are you on good terms with death? Following the murder of Charlie Kirk in the past week, we have been jolted into carefully considering how we are spending our lives, and our own mortality. This is the subject of this weeks passage. The Apostle Paul considers his death, his past life, and his future glory. Paul exemplifies a man, on good terms with death. There really is only one way for that. It is to love Christ, who alone defeated death and is waiting to reward all those who are his, with a crown of righteousness.

What do people look for in a preacher? Paul tells Timothy that a time is coming where people will no longer listen to the truth but rather seek those wholl tell them what they want to hear. Timothy is to respond by keeping faithful and preaching the gospel.

We are now into the final words of Pauls final words. His final charge to Timothy is probably no great surprise to those who know Paul but it remains still gloriously profound - Preach the Word. No matter the season. We must stick to God's Word. And we must preach it because it is still God's means of saving, sanctifying, strengthening, by his Spirit.

Life often leaves us feeling worn down and weak, but Jesus promises a strength that doesnt fade, which is the power of His Spirit living in us. In Acts 1:111, we see that the risen Jesus gives His followers a new purpose: to share His hope with the world. That same Spirit is offered to you today, giving you the courage to step out, live differently, and point others to the hope only Jesus can give.

Life often leaves us feeling worn down and weak, but Jesus promises a strength that doesnt fade, which is the power of His Spirit living in us. In Acts 1:111, we see that the risen Jesus gives His followers a new purpose: to share His hope with the world. That same Spirit is offered to you today, giving you the courage to step out, live differently, and point others to the hope only Jesus can give.

Have you ever wondered what is the nature and purpose of the Bible? This week Paul looks at the divine origin of scripture; that is authoritative, trustworthy, clear, profitable, and fully sufficient to equip the people of God for every good work.

The life of a Christian is one of learning. However its not a progression towards new and novel ideas but an ever deepening and dependency on the word of God.

It can be hard at times to trust that things are going according to Gods plan. However, we are to trust that Gods plan uses sin, struggles and tragedies to build His kingdom.

Getting our expectations right for the Christian life is important. Though it comes with many blessings, it also comes with persecution. We need Gods grace to fight any temptation to be less godly in the face of more opposition.

We are all imitators. Thats true whether we like it or not, whether we are conscious of it or not. Much of what we know is caught from watching others, as much as taught. In his final words to Timothy, Paul encourages him that he has not been left to face the difficulties of life and ministry without an example to follow. False teachers offer one example, but Paul, in his life, his conduct, his aim in life and his teaching has offered another.