Author: Jesse Walz

Never Alone

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” (Matt 1:23)

If we were to list all the particularly sweet verses in the Bible (Psalm 19:10), this verse would no doubt make the list. The promise made through Isaiah is now quoted by the angel, finding its fulfilment in Jesus. This son of a virgin has long been anticipated and is now finally arriving on the scene.

Why is this verse so sweet? Because what had long been lost is finally restored. When our first parents, Adam and Eve, were created they enjoyed perfect harmony with God. They heard his voice and enjoyed fellowship with him.

One of the many tragedies of that horrendous day when humanity fell into sin was that our fellowship with God was lost. We were cast out of the Garden and his presence. (Gen 3:24).

The story of the Bible could be summarised as God bringing his people back into his presence. Pictures of being in God’s presence are scattered throughout. Exodus finished with God in the tabernacle in the middle of the camp. That tent was eventually superseded by the temple.

This is again superseded, now by a person. In Jesus, God once again walks with his people. And now, because he has ascended, he sent his Spirit to be with us. When he was with us bodily he was isolated to one place and group of people, but in the Spirit he is with us all (Jn 16:7).

While we long for Christ’s return we can rejoice that we are never alone. When the world turns against us and we feel alone, or when we are physically lonely, we need not despair. God, in Christ, by his Spirit, is with us.

What’s in a name?

“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matt 1:21

Mission Statements are vital for companies. Unless a company has a clear objective, a reason for being, then how will they know whether they are being successful? (Unless their goal is merely to make profit, but then, that’s still a Mission Statement, even if not very attractive to the outside world.) For example, The Walt Disney Company seeks to ‘be one the world’s leading producers and providers of entertainment and information.’ How are they doing?

Jesus had a Mission Statement. He couldn’t go one day without hearing it. Embedded in his name was the reason he had come to this earth, having left the glories of heaven. ‘He will save his people from their sins.’

This is nothing new to most of us. We know his mission well. We enjoy the benefits of it each day, singing about it regularly, mentioning it in our prayers, telling others of the opportunity they have to be one of his people and be saved. But how often do words like these spark in us wonder and joy, as they filled the heart of Joseph when he heard these words from the angel?

This announcement, made to a nobody, betrothed to a nobody, was what humanity had been longing to hear since God first gave that promise all those ages ago, in a garden we can no longer enter. ‘I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel’ (Gen 3:15).

Heroes had come and gone, but always failed. No one had lived up to the hope that Genesis 3:15 gave. Where was our champion? Praise God, he’s finally come.

Christ’s family tree

‘So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation of Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.’ (Matt 1:17)

For several years there has been a growing interest among many in our culture of researching one’s family tree. The mysteries of the past are enticing. The ads encouraging the activity intrigue with the possibility of finding interesting characters. Whether the past holds royalty or criminality, the hope is something interesting.

The genealogy of Christ in Matt 1:2-17 is full of intriguing details. But unlike our genealogies which would not shed light on our own character, Christ’s genealogy has much in it to teach us about him. All the Old Testament history was leading up to him, and God has so crafted history that even the purpose of his mission is revealed.

There are glorious heights in this genealogy. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, grounding him in the redemptive purposes of God, bringing blessing to the world. There is Judah, who was promised the sceptre would not pass from him. We see this reality when we get to some of the great kings: David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah. He has a great pedigree. Jesus was born to rule.

But there is embarrassment in this list too. In an odd twist, multiple women are named, each of them a skeleton in the closet. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Uriah’s wife – each with a sordid past (or, in the case of Ruth, embarrassment because she was a Moabitess).

It is perhaps in these women that the glory of Christ is most clearly seen. Unlike us, he chose his family. And he chose one full of shameful and public sin, and of Gentiles. Even in his family he chooses to identify with us.

Understanding Jesus

‘The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.’ (Matthew 1:1).

If you were writing a book about Jesus, how would you begin? Would you begin with a quote from Jesus? A story of his power? A call to believe?

Matthew begins his book, and the New Testament, by looking back. What a vital lesson this is for us. It can be easy for Christians, when reading the Bible, to completely neglect the Old Testament. And that’s understandable to a degree – the New Testament can often feel easier to apply. The intended audience is the first-century church, which is more immediately relatable than what is written to the pre-Jesus Jews.

But, as Matthew demonstrates, the Old Testament is critical to understanding who Jesus is. Without the covenants given to Abraham and David (and the others too) we would have an anaemic picture of Jesus. Our understanding of his mission, the Kingdom of God, sin, judgement, our future hope, and so much more would be greatly hindered, to our detriment. Without the Old Testament, we would have no idea what ‘Christ’ even meant!

But the other side is also true: without Jesus and the New Testament our grasp of the Old Testament would be incomplete. Without the ultimate son of David and Abraham, would we realise that the Old Testament was meant to be leading to an individual who would fulfil all the promises God had made? Would we realise that the promises related to descendants, blessing and land would all come to fulfilment and completion in one glorious person?

The design of the Bible is truly incredible. We need both the Old and New Testaments to truly understand the other, and to truly understand Jesus. Everything there points to him.

Examining the Scriptures

‘Now these Jews [from Berea] were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if they were so.’ (Acts 17:11).

This is one of my favourite verses when it comes to preaching and how it should be received. I can even say that it is through imitation (though not deliberately, because I don’t think I’d noticed these verses at the time) that eventually led me to leave the church I grew up in to join the Presbyterian Church. The Word of God was presented to me so clearly at Uni that I could see my church wasn’t teaching God’s Word well at all.

Have you ever considered how else the actions of the Bereans could have been interpreted? Paul was an apostle. He’d seen the light on the road to Damascus, he’d heard the voice, and he had obeyed. Imagine the attitude that could have been taken against the Bereans who tested all he said, not accepting them automatically. They could have been called proud, stubborn!

But instead they are commended. They treasured God’s Word and knew that anything that did not line up with it was false. They saw that Paul’s message lined up and was correct, and ‘many of them therefore believed’ (Acts 17:12).

This evening I am going to be ordained as a Presbyterian minister. So, how should your response to my preaching change? Should you simply accept what I say as God’s word? Of course not! If the Bereans were commended for testing Paul, who am I not to be tested?! We should all test everything – if it aligns with God’s word, we accept it; if it doesn’t, we reject. Continue to treasure God’s Word, humbly submit to it, and examine everything, like the noble Bereans.

Peace with God

‘Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Rom 5:1).

What joy these words should give the believer! ‘We have been justified.’ No ifs or buts. It’s happened, and we can enjoy the incredible blessings that flow– in this verse it’s peace with God.

Can you believe that peace with God is even possible? Can you believe that we can have such assurance we already have it? Consider the story behind the ‘therefore’ in our verse. From 1:18 – 3:20 the sinfulness of humanity was on full display. There was no hiding from it. We rejected God, suppressed the truth he existed, though it was plain from the fact of creation. We were judged by God’s law, our mouths ‘stopped’ because there was no excuse or defence. God’s wrath was against us. There was no escape, no possibility for peace.

And then those beautiful words appear: ‘but now’ (3:21). This is a complete U-turn on a dime. Where there was once hopelessness, now there is a righteousness through Jesus Christ for all who believe – a gift of utter grace. Were there was once hostility and condemnation, there is now justification through the death of Christ, received through faith, and peace as a result.

There is nothing more to be done. Christ achieved it all at the cross, bearing our guilt and shame, dying our death, diverting the fierce wrath of God that was rightfully ours onto himself. How could we possibly add anything to something so marvellous? What else would we want to rely on? Our good works? Our baptism? Our church attendance? Surely not! Only the grace of God will do. Because of God’s grace, we have been justified. No ifs or buts. And so, we have peace with God.

Not worth comparing

‘For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us’ (Rom 8:18).

This is an audacious verse. Can you imagine being as bold as Paul is with these words? Paul stacks up all the sufferings of this life – the sufferings of persecution, sickness, famine, war, oppression and poverty – and he decides that stacked up next to the future glory that waits for us, there is no point in comparing them. The glory so far outshines our misery that it would be futile to compare them.

Can you imagine seriously trying to compare the speed of Usain Bolt and a toddler just learning to walk? Or comparing the size of a flee to an elephant? It would be pointless, ridiculous, odd. That’s what Paul is expressing with this non-comparison.

We all know the pain of suffering. We’ve all experienced loss, sickness, heartache – and if you haven’t, that means you haven’t lived long enough. Sometimes the pain is sharp and intense, at other times it’s dull and constant.

But the glory that is to be revealed in us is so great and wondrous that these sufferings all pale into nothingness. Can you believe it? Does it sound too much? So far-fetched that Paul must be exaggerating?

The pain of this life can be intense. Whether you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, a serious illness, financial hardship, or any other suffering, let these words fill your heart with joy. As bad as things get here, it’s not worth comparing with what will be, if only we hold on to our trust in Jesus.

It’s beyond my imagination. How can this be real? Through all our suffering, let’s hold on to Jesus and find out!

Agree in the Lord

“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have laboured side by side with me in the gospel” (Phil 4:2-3).

Where there are people, there will be disagreements. Some of these will be major, others minor, and the disagreement might even include whether it is a major or minor disagreement! Within the church, though we are united by Christ, disagreements remain over theological, political and moral issues.

The enemy can easily come in and sow strife among the people Jesus prayed would have unity (John 17:11). How can we maintain unity and ‘agree in the Lord’ while disagreeing on particular issues?

Love one another – Assuming you’re both Christians, you are children of God. Remember 1 John 4:20-21.

Pray for one another – Not just that the other person would agree with you, but that you’d both be humble enough to listen.

Keep the Bible open – Present your case and engage with their Biblical arguments. Don’t sidestep or ignore the verses they use. Engage with them. The Bible is our rule of faith and life; not our experience, feelings or traditions (not that they are irrelevant).

Take emotion out as much as possible – You may be emotional and hold a viewpoint strongly, but aim for gentleness in speech, and be charitable with one another. It is easier to sin, lack love, refuse to listen and lack humility when we are emotional. (James 1:19-21). Instead of being emotional, be curious why they think that way.

Don’t gather supporters – It hurts the church when we divide into factions. Don’t complain about one another but go to the other and listen. (And don’t assume what others tell you is accurate!)

Agree in the Lord – Continue to labour side by side in the gospel.

Difficult and simple passages

It’s self-evident that some Bible passages are easier to understand than others. John 14:6 is clear: Jesus is the only way to the Father. The reader is left with the question of whether they will believe it.

But other passages require more work before we can understand. Some verses in today’s sermon (1 Peter 3:19-21) are an example, and so is a passage some think is related, Gen 6:1-4. Numerous questions could be asked, but we’ll restrain ourselves to, ‘who?’ Who are the sons of God, the daughters of man, and the Nephilim?

Genuine Christians disagree here. Let’s think it through:

First, some think the sons of God are fallen angels, the daughters of man are human women, and the Nephilim are hybrids from their sexual union. But nowhere in the Bible are angels sexual beings (not even fallen ones). It’s humanity who is condemned for sinfulness, and the flood punishes humanity, not the fallen angels.

Second, some think the sons of God are great kings who take multiple wives, the offspring continuing the cycle of violence and harems. But ‘sons’ isn’t used for a group of kings elsewhere and polygamy isn’t explicit.

I prefer the third option: the sons of God are the seed of the woman, the daughters of man are the seed of the serpent, and the Nephilim aren’t offspring, but are there at the same time. Until now the two lines have been distinct, but now they intermarry. This has a devastating impact on their godly influence. This is the best view given Gen 3:15 and the subsequent narrative.

Why does this matter? It reminds us that the Bible can be hard to understand, and we should study it in community. But it also makes us grateful for the simple passages that proclaim our salvation. Praise God for them!

The dignity of life

Our society is confused about life. The confusion is showcased in the debates surrounding the two bookends of life: its beginning and end. But the confusion doesn’t end there.

In considering the beginning of life, Thursday saw the NSW upper house pass a bill that would enforce a 150m “safe zone” around NSW abortion clinics. Not safety for the unborn child. Not even safety for the expectant mothers. It’s not a “safety zone”, but a “silencing zone”, where the voices opposed to abortion cannot speak for fear of prosecution. Our society is closing their ears to the reality of when life begins to make their lives easier.

On the other side of the pendulum, debates continue around euthanasia. “Dignity” is the objective, with our society under the tragic belief that dignity is lost when control over one’s body is lost. Pain is the enemy, with no possibility that good can come out of it. Instead of being a precious gift, life becomes a burden.

In between isn’t immune from the confusion either. The uncertainty of what life is about, our purpose, has led to a culture in crisis. Instead of seeing that “man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever”, our society has no clue. People live for sex, pleasure, power, leisure, travel, entertainment, success, popularity and money. Anything but what we’ve been made for.

Life is about glorifying God and enjoying him. From its beginning to its end. “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). God is the one who formed us (Ps 139:13), and the one who determines when we’ll take our final breath (Ps 90:15). What a tragic world we live in, with people who don’t know the God they’ve been made to glorify.