Welcome and Greeting
Today is the last day of the school holidays school holidays. SRE should be starting back in schools very soon. Please pray for our contacts, Mick and Ange and Pat and Helen as they prepare to go back into the schools. Have you done anything interesting in the school holidays? We have had a lovely time with our grandchildren and have even had a few more days at the coast. We will have our second Zoom meeting on Thursday 23rd at 10am. I will put the details of the meeting on Facebook. If you would like the details emailed to you, please let me know.
Thank you for joining with us this evening. May God bless this worship and bring us into His presence as we praise and worship Him..
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Opening prayer
God has made us, with all the saints from every generation, one in Christ.
He has set his seal upon us and, as a pledge of what is to come, has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts. Thank You that You are here with us tonight and that You love the worship of Your people. Please help us to open our hearts to You now.
Peace to you from God our Father who hears our cry.
Peace from his Son Jesus Christ whose death brings healing.
Peace from the Holy Spirit who gives us life and strength.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you
Song: All My Days
All my days I will sing this song of gladness,
give my praise to the Fountain of Delights;
for in my helplessness you heard my cry,
and waves of mercy poured down on my life.
Chorus
Beautiful Saviour, Wonderful Counsellor,
clothed in majesty, Lord of History
you’re the Way, the Truth, the Life.
Star of the Morning, glorious in holiness,
you’re the Risen One, heaven’s champion,
and you reign, you reign over all!
I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer,
I will sing of the blood that never fails,
of sins forgiven, of conscience cleansed,
of death defeated and life without end.
I long to be where the praise is never-ending.
yearn to dwell where the glory never fades,
where countless worshippers will share one song,
and cries of ‘worthy’ will honour the Lamb!
Stuart Townend CCL Lic No384593
Psalm 86:11-17
11 Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.
14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
ruthless people are trying to kill me—
they have no regard for you.
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’
36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Devotion: Robyn
Wheat and Weeds July 19, 2020
Last week we looked at the first parable, about the Sower, the Seed and the Soil. In Matthew there are also the parables of the mustard seed, the tiniest seed which grows into the largest plant and the parable of the yeast, a tiny amount of which leavens many loaves of bread. These three tiny objects all make a huge difference in the situations in which they are used. The parables teach us about ourselves. The tiny seed of God’s word sown in our hearts brings changes to our live. Even though we may feel small and intimidated alongside others, God can grow us into very wise, useful people for His Kingdom.
In Psalm 78:2 we read ‘I will open my mouth in in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old.’
Jesus teaching through parables is another sign of Old Testament prophecy being fulfilled in the New Testament.
Remember, Jesus only told the meaning of these to His disciples. I have often wondered how all the people around reacted to this teaching. There must have either been some understanding, or else fascination that urged them to keep on coming back to listen to Jesus.
Last week we had the parable of the sower who scattered his seed far and wide on all types of soil. Perhaps it was the same sower (farmer) who has the problem with the weeds in today’s reading.
This week Jesus commences his parable with the words’ the kingdom of heaven is just like this’.
The farmer again went out to sow his good seed into the soil. However, as the wheat began to grow, so did the weeds. The servants began to notice the weeds and had to seek the advice from the farmer. We read:
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’
Can you believe this kind of agriculture? Well, of course you can, because last week we saw this farmer work, slinging seeds all over rather than taking the time to do it properly. As it turns out, he’s not much better at tending than he is at sowing. He says, “Just let them all grow together until harvest. We’ll worry about it then.”
After telling this story, Jesus continued on with two further parables of the mustard seed and the yeast, then left the crowd and went back into the house. Once more, the disciples asked Jesus to please explain.
Again, the sower of the good seed is Jesus, the field is the world and the good seeds are those who have chosen to follow Jesus, children of the Kingdom of God, you and me. The weeds are the rest of the world, those who have not committed their lives to Jesus, those who are ‘people of the evil one, Satan’. (v38). The harvest takes place when Jesus returns, and the harvesters are the angels.
This is a parable about the end of the world, and how we should live until that time. It’s also a parable that should make each one of us reassess our relationship with God.
We live in a world that is a mess. There is bad seed growing right alongside the good. People who believe in God, and those who don’t. Weeds germinate just as well as wheat. And often you can’t tell the weeds from the wheat until they are full grown and it’s too late to do much about it. It is only at harvest time that the sorting out occurs. In other words, we are surrounded by people who do not believe in God and sometimes they are right beside us, our family and friends. The parable suggests that we grow alongside these people; not putting them out of lives, not discarding them. We walk shoulder to shoulder with them. Without judging them. The ultimate judgement is at the end of the world when Jesus returns.
In Matthew’s gospel we’re also told about a marriage feast where servants are sent out to invite to the feast “as many as you find, both bad and good.” It was Matthew who told the story about fishermen who have a great dragnet. When they pull it to shore, tied between two boats, they dragged in “fish of every kind.” Again, we need to relate to, encourage and walk alongside all people regardless of appeal, race, importance or creed. We are not to judge, that is for God.
This of course does not negate sharing with others what God is doing in your life. However, we need to take the lens off and share with anyone, not just those whom we know are Christians. That’s the easy way to share.
We do not know who has had a seed planted in their life and needs your sharing to germinate that seed. What we do know from this parable is that one we aill all face judgement and we need to have a firm relationship with God.
This passage concludes again with those words;
‘He who has ears to hear, let them hear.’ Listen to what God is saying to you, and take note!
Our Psalm tonight began with
11 Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever
If we commit our way to God daily, He will show us the way.
Song: All In All
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking you as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all
Jesus, Lamb of God,
Worthy is your name (x2)
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again, I bless your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down, you lift me up
When I am dry, you fill my cup
You are my all in all
Dennis Jernigan
Prayers
Confession:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that your word says that as we draw near to you,
you will draw near to us, by the working of your Spirit in us,
We are sorry for doing those things that have displeased You
and we ask for Your forgiveness.
Please cleanse our hearts and hands and minds
Help us to walk in love and newness of life
so that we can be more like Jesus
and make him known to all we meet. Amen
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We thank you Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,we thank you that you are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. We thank you that your love is great towards us and that you are slow to anger and rich in love. Thank You that you take our burdens when they become too much for us and that You give us rest and release when we are weary and burdened.
Please help each one of us to be assured that we are righteous and that we are children of the Kingdom.
Please help each one of us to be people who are wise and discerning and who do have ears that hear; people who do not make rash and unfounded judgements about other people. Help us to put aside any of our preconceived ideas of others and to have the grace to show love and mercy to them. Please show us how we can be Your light in the world around us.
We pray again today for all our health workers who provide us with the care we need. Please protect them from the Corona virus and give them strength and wisdom. We pray for researchers and ask that a COVID vaccine will be developed and available for all soon.
We pray for those members of F5 who are unwell, and we think especially of Shirley Weeks, Robert Lawrence, Penny, Sue Duckitt, Anne,Joseph,,Emily and Stuart Hunter, Anne Wilson’s Mum and any others known to us. Please bring Your comfort, healing and peace to them. We pray for people who are struggling because of loss of jobs and lack of income. We do ask that their needs will be met and that no one in Goulburn goes hungry or cold. Please show us how we can help bring joy and comfort to someone this week.
As winter is with us now, we pray also for protection from the flu and colds.
We pray for school teachers and children as they return to school tomorrow. Thank you that many of us have had time with our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in the holidays. We do pray for protection for our families and ask that they may grow to know and love You. Thank You that SRE can begin again in schools next term. Please give wisdom and strength to those who teach SRE. We pray especially for Pat, Helen, Ange, Mick and Jen.
We pray for our local council, for our state and territory governments, and for our national parliament. Please be with all those who make laws and help them to do so with good judgement. Please continue to give wisdom to our Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and to all members of our governments and parliaments as they steer us though this Covoid time especially with the new outbreaks in Victoria and further afield.
We pray for people who are still battling the consequences of the bushfires, some of whom are living in very difficult, uncomfortable situations. We do ask that help will come for them soon and that they will be relieved of their distress.
We ask that you will grow in each one of us this week, the fruit of your Spirit. May we be kind and forgiving, gentle and long suffering and may we know your love, joy and peace.as we continue in this time of continued changing isolation. Please show us ways that we can encourage others. We pray that you will protect each of us from a second outbreak of the Corona Virus.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen
Song: Only A Holy God
1. Who else commands all the hosts of heaven
Who else could make every king bow down
Who else can whisper and darkness trembles
Only a Holy God
2. What other beauty demands such praises
What other splendour outshines the sun
What other majesty rules with justice
Only a Holy God
Chorus
Come and behold Him The One and the Only
Cry out, sing holy Forever a Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God
3. What other glory consumes like fire
What other power can raise the dead
What other name remains undefeated
Only a Holy God
Chorus
Come and behold Him The One and the Only
Cry out, sing holy Forever a Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God
4. Who else could rescue me from my failing
Who else would offer His only Son
Who else invites me to call Him Father
Only a Holy God
Only my Holy God
Come and behold Him The One and the Only
Cry out, sing holy Forever a Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God
Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, evermore Amen.
Prayer Points
• Thank God that we can join together for our services, even though far apart.
• Ask God to show you ways you can contact others from F5, F10 and beyond to encourage them along. Pray for wisdom to know who to ring, who to send a message or note to
• Pray for nurses, doctors and hospital staff as they learn to work differently and wisely
• Pray for those who are going through difficult times with sickness, depression, loneliness, loss of work, separation from family and friends. Pray especially for Ruth Dawe, Robert Lawrence, Penny, Sue Duckitt, Ann,Joseph,Emily and Stuart Hunter, Anne Wilson’s Mum and any others known to us.
• Pray that we will each have God’s strength and wisdom to be able to make each day worthwhile.
• Pray for Scott Morrison and our governments as they make unprecedented decisions regarding all things connected to the Coronavirus. We especially ask for wisdom for them as they direct the opening up again of Australia.
• Pray for teachers and students as they have their school holidays.
Enquiries – Paul (0418 633 396) and Robyn (0414 254 154)
Website – www.f5refresh.org.au & Facebook
