The Citizen, 2011-03-10, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011.By Pastor Ernest Dow, Living Water ChristianFellowship (EMC), BlythThe revolution in Libya has beenin the forefront of the news in recentweeks. Colonel Muammar Gaddaficlings to power after four decadesdespite increasing rebel activity. Heshows no signs of stepping down,
and even denies that protests have
been as large as foreign media sug-
gests. But then, what would you
expect from someone who in 2008
called himself “King of Kings of
Africa”?
Gaddafi is playing the “Strong
Man”, insisting on continuing to
assert himself. However some of his
own military people have defected
(complete with fighter jets to Malta)
rather than fire on their own people.
Libya’s human rights record is
abysmal. So it would seem, com-
pared to standards in international
law, Libyans have much worth
protesting about. Watching the anti-
government colonels being inter-
viewed, one cannot help but admire
their courage to risk taking a stance
opposing the Strong Man. They are
willing to put their lives on the line
for what they see as a fight in the
best interests of their people. There
seems to be a mounting conviction
that Gaddafi has lost the moral right
to rule.
Christians honour Jesus as the true
‘King of Kings’: He did not take up
weapons to enforce His reign. But
Matthew presents Him in Chapter
17: 1-13 as the new Champion who
defeats another ‘Strong Man’, and
calls us to join Him in the victory by
forsaking our own resistance to sin –
what’s holding us captive to evil’s
destructive regime.
In Chapter 17, we have a ‘sneak
preview’ of what the Kingdom is
really about, how suffering and
Messiahship come together. 17:2,
after Jesus leads Peter, James and
John up a high mountain alone
together, He’s suddenly transfigured
before them, literally a ‘metamor-
phosis’: His face shines like the sun,
His clothes become white as light.
For the first time, the disciples are
glimpsing Jesus as He really is in
His eternal essence, resplendent
with glory.
And if that’s not overwhelming
enough – suddenly the disciples feel
like they’re seeing a ghost! 17:3,
Moses and Elijah appear before
them, talking with Jesus.
Consider these heroes in terms of
who they stood up against for God’spurposes. Moses did far more thancarry some stone tablets down amountain; he stood up againstPharaoh who was holding Israelitescaptive in exploitive bondage.(Exodus 5:1f) The Egyptian StrongMan asserted himself against God’sclearly-revealed instruction. He
wanted to keep all the benefits of
holding Israel captive as his slaving
work-force.
In Elijah’s day, King Ahab and his
Baal-worshipping wife Queen
Jezebel were the ‘strong man’
rebelling against God and killing His
prophets. Elijah bravely took a stand
against Ahab, prophesying it would-
n’t rain for three years, and rebuking
the king for his extensive idolatry.
(1Kings 18:18f,21)
Moses and Elijah were champions
of faith because they bravely inter-
ceded for God’s people before the
‘strong men’ of their day. They
would accept nothing less than free-
dom for Israel to worship Yahweh
and live according to God’s ways.
They stood up to the wicked over-
lords and, through God’s miraculous
intervention, secured release for the
captives from their enemies.
Their appearing on the mountain-
top with Jesus is to encourage Him
as He’s about to take the ultimate
step that will make Him the prime
Champion over evil. Matthew
records in 17:3 that they were “talk-
ing with Jesus”. What were they
talking about? Luke’s account states,
“They spoke about his departure,
which he was about to bring to ful-
filment at Jerusalem.” His departure
– Luke actually uses the Greek word
‘exodus’: parallel to Moses deliver-ing the people from slavery toEgypt, Jesus was about to win forbelievers deliverance from bondageto sin and death, all evil’s schemesand scourge. He would free us, andlike Elijah’s call, renew people indevotion and relationship with God.It was a mountaintop conference of
champions!
Colonel Gaddafi doesn’t take
kindly to protests: he seems pre-
pared to use any military force or
propaganda tactic that will allow
him to keep his grip on dictatorial
power. Jesus summed up the usual
use of political force this way: “You
know that those who are regarded as
rulers of the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their high officials exer-
cise authority over them.” (Mk
10:42) But you don’t have to be a
political leader to be selfish and
stubborn. Even toddlers are notori-
ous for adamantly saying ‘no’; but
many of us find it difficult to grow
out of the ‘terrible twos’. As human
beings with minds and wills, we
want things to go our way. There’s a
little Gaddafi – a little ‘strong man’
– in all of us.
Atop the mount of transfiguration,
the cloud of Shekinah glory
envelopes the group – a brilliant fog
alive with God’s presence and the
strange, mighty beings who accom-
pany the Lord of hosts. The Father
speaks, affirming the Son: “This is
my Son, whom I love; with him I am
well pleased. Listen to him!” (Mt
17:5)
Listen to Him – Jesus, introducer
of the New Covenant, rending by the
brokenness of His body and shed-
ding of His blood the curtain that,since Eden, separated man fromGod. Give your attention to Him;follow Him; let Him speak into yoursoul His living and active Wordthrough the Holy Spirit. Love Godtotally – that’s most important; loveone another – that goes along withloving God. Deny yourself, take up
your cross, and find your soul by
losing yourself in the adventure
God’s waiting to lead you on.
But the strong man within resists
listening to another. Our will and
self-image resent bowing to any
other. We can be very dull and resist-
ant in hearing and responding to the
Holy Spirit’s voice. Just a little more
pressure on the gas pedal –
nobody’ll know. Just bump up the
parental control rating for this one
THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH
CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS.
OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Brussels:
St. Ambrose
Saturday
6:00 p.m.
17 Flora Street
Wingham:
Sacred Heart
Sunday
9:00 a.m.
220 Carling Terrace
Listowel:
St. Joseph
Sunday
11:00 a.m.
1025 Wallace Avenue N.
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, March 13
Brussels Public School
at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
6:30 pm - DVD series on the Book of
Revelation by James MacDonald
Sunday School for children
4 to 11 years of age (mornings only)
Childcare provided for infants and toddlers
Coffee & cookies after the morning service
For additional details please contact:
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
Chris McMichael 519.482.1644
Please join us for worship
Hwy. 4, Blyth
519-523-4743
www.blythcrc.ca
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00 am
Evening Service 7:30 pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor Gary Klumpenhower 519-523-9233
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, MARCH 13
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-2664
10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m.
CORNER OF DINSLEY & MILL STREETS
MINISTER
Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div.
All Welcome
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224
March 13th ~ Penny For Your Thoughts
March 20th ~ Your Two Cents Worth
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com
Sunday, March 13
Ethel United Church
Worship Service and Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.
Brussels United Church
Worship Service and Sunday School - 11:00 a.m.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come and worship with us
Trinity, Blyth
9:15 a.m.
Church Office: 519-357-4883
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Sunday, March 13
Rev. Perry Chuipka
www.nabcom.ca/church
119 John’s Ave., Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School
10:30 a.m.
Morning Worship Service
Emmanuel Bible College
will be our guests this Sunday
AHOYAHOY
MATIES!MATIES!
March Break Event
Wednesday, March 16th
1-4:30 pm for Kids
ages 4-12
Come aboard for some fun!!
There will be games, crafts, les-
sons, snacks and so much more.
Join us as we
set sail for a
great afternoon!
From the Minister’s StudyChampion Jesus specializes in winning
Continued on page 24
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water Christian Fellowship
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
Tuesdays 7:30 pm - Wingham Small Group
1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm - Women’s Ministry
Fridays 7:00 pm - Youth Group
March 13: 2 Cor. 5:20ff
“Mission in the School of Hard Knocks”
Special Presentation:
Christian Business Mission of Huron
Evangelical Missionary Church