Somewhere deep inside all of us, I suppose, there is a vacancy, or a space – a deep void of longing to be filled – where the Deceiver whispers to us in the darkness, “You aren’t complete.”
In the Gospel narrative of Jesus’ temptation, Satan gives his own ‘theology of incompleteness’, telling the Son of God that he is not complete unless he is satisfied, unless he is safe, and unless he is powerful. In other words:
You aren’t complete unless you are secure and whole.
Tim Keller writes in his book Walking with God through Suffering and Pain: “People now believe that we were not created primarily to serve God for his benefit. Rather, God made the world for our benefit.”
This contemporary challenge to the ‘goodness’ of all creation comes at the expense of recognising the function and meaning of suffering in the world. If God created the world for my benefit, and if I can somehow manipulate God to giving more blessings by being good, then when pain and suffering occurs, it follows that either God is not good, or there is no God.
Do you recognise the train of thought?
On the other hand, if we understand that God created this world for ‘goodness’ sake, then we recognise that even in pain or suffering, the glory of God can and will be revealed, especially in and through the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ.
This week, we see through the eyes of the Suffering Servant how the glory of God is revealed in the man who the world has considered ‘incomplete’. He has waited thirty-eight years by the pool of Bethesda. Every day, as he gazes up towards the temple of Israel on its mountain, he is reminded that he can never make it there - so he must settle for the scraps of people who are allowed into the courtyard.
And then, the one with all the power arrives…
Pr Reid Matthias
Bible Readings: John 15:1-15
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Prayer Request
Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
Praise Point
This Sunday at the 10.30am service Isla Victoria Sutherland, daughter of Ashlee and Brad, will be welcomed into God’s family through Holy Baptism.
Step Up to Communion
Young people aged 10 and over, and their parents, are invited to take part in our Step Up program to prepare for Holy Communion. Taking the approach that parents are the primary faith developers in their children, Step Up is designed to support parents in preparing their child for Holy Communion.
Step 1 (Launch) Family Lunch – Sunday 20th October, 12:30-2:30pm in the church hall.
To register please contact Georgie Schuster, Young Families Coordinator at georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au More information is available on the Church website http://paravista.org.au/baptism-setup/
From the Office
Mission Vision Support
This month’s support will go towards the Meet & Eat team. The team have supplied over 2,300 meals this year on a very meagre budget to the lonely and less fortunate. They have also listened to many stories and shared through a scrumptious hot meal the love of Jesus to many who really need it. Their motto is ‘Come as a stranger, leave as a friend’. Look for the Mission Vision Support envelopes at the entry doors and consider how you can assist, or donations can be made to:
BSB: 704942
Account number: 100713424
Reference: Meetneat
Regular Electronic Giving (REG)
www.lll.org.au/REG
REG is a way for our members to regularly support the mission of our church. Details of transactions are kept totally confidential. None of your personal details are given to the congregation or treasurer. The treasurer is only advised of the total amount credited to the account for the month. For those who are altering their giving through REG or wish to start giving via REG the appropriate forms are available from this link http://www.lll.org.au/giving_through_the_lll/regular_electronic_giving_reg
Use account number 100354939, BSB 704942
Alternatively deposits can be made to the following bank account details:
BSB 704942, account number 10354939
“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Romans 5:2b-4
