If you could have anything at all what would it be?
Did you think of a thing, a person or a feeling? That is, would you want something that money could buy or would you want a relationship
restored? Or would you just like to feel better or less tired? While we may have a number of things that would make us feel better, God actually knows what it is that we need the most. It is being in relationship with him. He makes this possible by sending Jesus into our world and Christmas is the time we celebrate this fact.
What’s the problem?
Someone once answered the question of what’s wrong with the world with the words, “I am”. We like to blame everyone else for the problems in the world but the truth is that we are all responsible for not living the way that God wants us to. We have all ignored him and wanted to live our lives our own way and not his. The Bible calls that sin and so when the little girl on Santa’s knee on the back of this card asks for the taking away of the sins of the world that is exactly what God gives to us at Christmas time.
What’s the solution?
Jesus Christ came into our world to die for us on the cross and to take the penalty that we deserve for our sins. In Luke’s Gospel we are told the story of the angel going to the shepherds to tell them of the birth of Jesus, but more importantly he tells them who Jesus was and what he came to do. This is what the passage says:

But the angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

A Saviour is someone who saves people. Jesus saves us from our sins and the Bible says that when we put our faith and trust in Jesus we are assured of eternal life. This Christmas we would love you to join us at one of our Christmas services. Last year we started two new Family Carols services on Christmas Eve at 5.00pm and 6.30pm. They were very popular with families so we have decided to repeat those services again and hope that you and your family may be able to join us then or at one of the other services that we will be holding at St Stephen’s. We look forward to seeing you this Christmas to celebrate Jesus coming into our world, the one who takes away the sins of the world.
Colin Watson, Rector

It has been heartening to read that a lot of the requests from the recent feedback forms from our four services is the desire to mix a little more with each other. The 90th Anniversary service we had last year was a great time to achieve that purpose and the picnic at Ruddock Park next Sunday is an opportunity for members of the four services to again meet together. We have booked the oval and ask you to bring something to sit on and some shade as hopefully the sun will be shining on us that day. There will be games for the children to enjoy so please come and share this time together and get to know some of the people who call St Stephen’s their home but just might attend a different service to the one you usually come to.  Colin Watson

The account of the woman caught in adultery highlights things about Jesus and about us as humans.  Firstly Jesus is the Son of God who has the authority to forgive sins, yet challenges us to live our lives without sin.  He recognizes the huge consequences of sin that affect our relationships with others and with God.  His death on the cross pays the price for our sin but it doesn’t mean that we should become blasé about our behaviour because we know we can be forgiven.  Secondly though, this account highlights our response to people caught in sin.  I have been told that the television show “Border Security” is a very popular show and a large part of its popularity is because people love to see others caught in trying to smuggle items into a country.  Unfortunately we can rejoice in people being “caught” and we forget that we ourselves are sinful and sometimes we are caught by others but we must remember that God sees all that we do.  Let us lead lives that give honour to God and may we also not try to find fault in others and be eager to throw the first stone. Colin Watson

Jesus was no ordinary man and this is seen clearly in John 5 and his encounter with the lame man by the pool and the discussion that this healing brings between Jesus and the Religious leaders.  Jesus heals the man on the Sabbath, a day that forbids someone carrying their mat or bedding.  The man finally tells the religious leaders that it is Jesus who has healed him and told him to carry his mat.  This leads to a very long discourse in John 5 that is all about who Jesus claims to be.  As you read this account you will see that Jesus spells out his relationship with God who he calls his Father and the fact that he is the Son of God.  There is no doubt about the claims Jesus makes.  He is not merely a good teacher or a nice man who can heal a few people.  He claims to be the Son of God.  That is what gets him into trouble with the religious leaders.  We too must examine the claims of Jesus and see for ourselves that he is who he says he is and we must therefore follow him as such.  Please continue to read John’s Gospel to understand properly who Jesus claimed to be and who in fact he is, the Son of God.

Colin Watson

Jesus is an amazing man in many ways and this is because he is the Son of God.  It is not enough to say he was a good teacher or a wise person.  The miracles he performed showed that this man was different.  When we look at the account of Lazarus we are amazed that Jesus by merely speaking brings this man back to life.  Jesus will of course also rise from the dead after his crucifixion but this miracle is a foretaste of what is about to come.  The good news is that trusting in Jesus brings us eternal life and the forgiveness of sins.  Our own encounter with Jesus should bring faith and trust, not just in a man, but in the Son of God.  Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God whom we should trust our lives to for this life and for the life to come.

Colin Watson

The people Jesus met were many and varied.  Some came with questions and most came with a need.  This week we look at a man who really had authority over Jesus but he humbled himself and asked Jesus to heal his sick son.  The story is amazing because the son is healed without Jesus going anywhere near the boy.  Jesus merely says he will be healed.  The boy is about 20 miles away and yet he is healed at the very moment Jesus tells the official his son will recover.  What is equally worthy of note is that firstly the official takes the effort to seek out Jesus and goes to him in faith and secondly the official takes Jesus at his word and heads back the 20 miles to see his son again.  Would there have been doubts in his mind that Jesus would be true to his word?  Fortunately while he is on his way home he is told of his son’s recovery.  It can be hard to humble ourselves and trust Jesus.  Often we run to other places rather than straight to Jesus to try and sought out the issues in our lives.  The official was humble and wise and went to the Son of God in his time of need.  May we always do likewise.

Colin Watson

Living as a Christian can sometimes be hard because we sometimes need to say no to the ways of the world and follow the commands of God.  We know we are saved by grace but living God’s ways are our response to his mercy and grace shown to us in Jesus.  In Titus 2:11-14 we read, For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  May we take on board these words in the Bible and live in a manner that pleases God and will ultimately bring greater joy to our own lives and to those around us.

Colin Watson

Today we begin a 3 week series on Paul’s letter to Titus who was a Greek believer in Christ.  Paul calls him my true son in our common faith highlighting the fact that Jew and Gentile alike are able to participate in the Grace of God as they put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul helped nurture Titus as he grew in maturity and became a leader in the church.  Paul’s letter is one of instruction regarding the qualifications for being an elder in the church.  Paul contrasts faithful leaders of the church against false teachers and leaders.  This letter is relatively short but it is a great teaching tool for us today as we should be following the same principles that Paul speaks of in his instructions to Titus.  Please read ahead and pray that God will teach us through his word.

Colin Watson

The Christian life is not one without difficulties.  We cannot say follow Jesus and you will never have a problem in the world or you will be extremely wealthy.  In fact when reading the Bible the opposite is more likely to be true.  Paul in writing to Timothy in his second letter in Chapter 3 explains the persecutions and sufferings that have happened to him and says in vs.12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”.  It is true that in Australia the persecution Christians are subjected to is very small compared to that of many countries around the world.  Daily we hear of Christians put to death for daring to follow Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.  We must pray for our brothers and sisters that they would stand firm in their faith and that they may be encouraged by other Christians and God’s Holy Spirit.  We must also have a right understanding that in this life difficulties will be faced by Christians but the difference is that we are supported by God through these times.  We also have the opportunity of being encouraged by fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and this is a great blessing.  Let us be mindful of those who are struggling both in our immediate area and throughout the rest of the world. Colin Watson

Living each day thinking that Jesus could come back at any time is not something that many Christians have at the front of their minds.  The Christians at Thessalonica however did live this way and they expected him to return during their life time.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 Paul urges them therefore to be alert and self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.  He explains in the next verses that God appointed us to receive salvation and not wrath through Jesus.  He says Jesus died so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.  The end result of this news should be that we encourage one another and build each other up.  May we live each day expecting the return of Jesus so that we might live as Paul encourages us to live.  Colin Watson