What have you got to sing about? Luke 1:39-55

Why do you sing? Songs express emotion. In Luke 1 we have Mary's song. She sings because she is really happy. There’s three things in particular that she is happy about:

1.       Mary Sings because she believes [verses 39-45]

Mary is told she is going to give birth to a son without a human father. He will be called Jesus. He will be great; He will be like David (descended from David and a great ruler); and He will reign forever. She hears all this and she believes, and so she sings! 

Do you believe? Does it make you happy?

2.       Mary sings because of the Saviour [verses 46-53]

Mary might still have some questions about how God will save through Jesus but she's definitely understood that He will save through Jesus. Mary grabs hold of lots of ideas from the Old Testament and says that this is the way God always saves. He's always worked by turning everything upside down, lifting up the humble and bringing down proud people who think they're so great.

Are you humble and hungry for God to save you? 

3.        Mary Sings because God Keeps His promises [verses 54,55]

God had always been with His people but now at this special moment He is keeping the promises made to Abraham in a surprising way. Mary is so happy. She believes God is saving by shaking everything upside down. She realises this is the moment God brings all His promises to fulfilment.

Do you feel like singing now?

Real Food (John 4:27-38)

A Samaritan woman drops her bucket as a sign that she now thinks that telling people about Jesus is more important. She says “come & see” and a group Samaritans from the town Sychar are heading towards Jesus. She has a new interest, new priorities. Do you?

Jesus responds to the disciples urges to eat something by telling them what really sustains and comforts Him. He says "my food is to do “the will of him who sent me.” Is it your food?

Jesus will do God’s will and finish His work. He will obey the Father all the way to the Cross and look back and be completely satisfied He has finished the work.

We are so grateful to God for the sustained obedience of Jesus but He also give us an example to follow.

One of the ways we do that is by seeing and seizing the opportunities for telling people about Jesus the Messiah. Normally the farmer sows and waits for the harvest but Jesus says the spiritual harvest is now – the time has come.

The Samaritans coming to hear about Jesus are a clear sign of the new age of the kingdom of God. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection begins a new era in world history.

The amount of opportunity may vary in God's sovereign grace in different times and places but there will in these gospel days, always be opportunities. Are you praying for this and watching out ready to take each opportunity.

The sower and the reaper have their roles, and are glad together.We can be sowers or reapers, sometimes both, but whatever our role we rejoice to be doing God's work.

To listen to sermons in the John series click here

Are Christians the new persecuted?

Some though provoking answers - definitely worth watching some of them:

http://www.4thought.tv/topics/browse/231-Are-Christians-the-new-persecuted-

Add your own thoughts. I did make a comment on the channel 4 website but I think the moderator decided it wasn't interesting enough to publish!

Not ashamed

Take a look at this. I thought it was pretty good.

http://www.notashamed.org.uk/leaflet.php

Nativity - day 1

Short Extract from Day 1 of the Nativity Puppet Show

John 4:1-26 True Worship

Jesus crosses boundaries of racial and religious divide and chooses to go through Samaria and talk with an immoral Samaritan woman. Jesus crosses all boundaries because He is Messiah for everyone, and He calls His people to do the same

Jesus ignores the political questions and makes an offer of living water. Only he can give new life and satisfaction through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus meets our deepest needs because he is the Messiah.

She was living with a man following 5 terminated marriages. Jesus knows all this about her, and more and yet he still makes an offer of life. Jesus knows all about you because He is the Messiah. He calls you to face up to who you are, so you can recognise who He is

Jesus avoids a diversion of talking about what was in the past the correct way and place to worship God. Now for her and for us it’s about Spirit (God’s life giving power) and Truth (personified in Jesus). We must worship God by trusting Jesus at the Messiah – God’s promised King.

He will completely satisfy you. Just ask and He will give.

To listen to sermons in the John series click here

Why Mission? Hmm Not Sure

So apparently we don't need to do global mission so God can save people. It's just so their lives can be better following God's way.

http://www.christianitymagazine.co.uk/asksteve/whatsthepointofmission.aspx

This doesn't sound right to me. Any comments?