Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-11-12, Page 12By Pastor Ernest DowLiving Water ChristianFellowship, BlythAn air of expectancy pervades ourhome these days. Our daughter and son-in-law, who also reside in Blyth, are expecting their first child any day now. It’s been 40 long weeks; our daughter’s frame has gradually but unmistakably become more rotund with what she fondly refers to as her ‘baby bump’. Regular ultrasounds and visits to the obstetrician have revealed an active pre-born who is now in position so all systems are go. We share the excitement and anticipation of the parents-to-be: although this is not our first grandchild, it’s the first with which we’ve been in such close and continual contact throughout the pregnancy. Generally the birth of a baby is a time of profound happiness and celebration. A whole new human being has come into existence. The excitement of a new life is accentuated by the marvelous smallness of tiny fingers, features, and feet. What potential is wrapped up in this miniature frame! How wonderful that a baby reflects both its parents yet is at the same time different from each! The Bible repeatedly uses the analogy of birth to describe the miracle of conversion, leaving an old sinful life for a new constitution brought about only through God’s doing. (This is rather surprising considering the Bible was written predominantly by men, who could never have experienced what it’s like to give birth!) The various passages help us understand better this wonder’s means and effect. It is a spiritual rather than natural phenomenon. God’s Holy Spirit, not flesh, gives birth to spirit. This is God’s doing, not by human decision or a husband’s will. It’s a divine mystery, like the way the wind blows wherever it pleases. (John 3:5f,8) While a baby is conceived by physical factors, spiritual birth comes about by faith in God’s word. James writes that God chose to give us [i.e. Christians] birth through the word of truth. Peter says we have been born again of imperishable seed through the living and enduring word of God. John adds that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Note the interplay of the agents, word and faith: when the word of the Good News about Jesus is heard,faith receives and believes it - andChrist gives the right or power tobecome God’s child. (Jas 1:18; 1Pet1:23; 1Jn 5:1; Jn 1:12) Parents may have great dreams for their newborns. Spiritual birth offers great hope - a fresh start for lives that may have been despairing in defeat and guilt. Peter writes that God in His great mercy has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. (This future hope has an historical basis 2000 years ago at the first Easter.) Paul adds that we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies; then we will be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. No more sickness, H1N1, aging, or pain! (1Pet 1:3; Rom 8:23; 2Cor 5:2,4) Spiritual rebirth brings with it several effects in our lives, if it is real. One effect is that we start to do what’s right, because we catch the vision of God, who now indwells us by His seed. John writes, “If you know that He [Jesus] is righteous, you know thateveryone who does what is right hasbeen born of Him.”He adds that those born of Godcannot go on sinning; we ‘see the Kingdom of God’ - and, perceiving God’s will, we want to do it. (Jn 3:3; 1Jn 2:29, 3:9, 5:18) Another noticeable effect is love for others. “Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God,” John writes. So, passion for holiness and ‘doing what’s right’ is balanced by affectionate empathy and sacrificial agape love for those who may be unlike us, and who may even try to hurt us. (1Jn 4:7) Our daughter and son-in-law have been stocking up on safe baby toys and protective gear, such as car seats. The New Testament similarly states God protects His spiritual ‘babes’. John writes that Jesus keeps the person who’s born of God safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. (1Jn 5:18) We know it’s highly unlikely our little grandchild will have smooth pain-free sailing all through life. From the shock of the moment ofbirth, through teething, learning tocrawl and walk, fighting offinfections, and facing the challengesof each new stage of development until mature adulthood, there will be trials a-plenty. Likewise, spiritual pilgrimage has its difficulties, but the Lord helps us master them. “Everyone born of God overcomes the world,” John notes; “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1John 5:4) When Jesus makes us new creatures, He helps us overcome the hurdles across our path. Having been present in a supportive role for my wife at three of our four children’s births, I know childbirth is not easy – the labour pains can be excruciating. But soon the anguish is forgotten on account of the joy of a child being born into the world. Likewise, our birth and growth spiritually may have many stretches and strains, but the passing challenges are transcended by a deep and abiding joy at knowing God and sensing His Spirit’s work within us. Chuck Colson wrote, “Conversion may occur in an instant, but the process of coming from sinfulnessinto a new life can be a long andarduous journey.”We realize our daughter’s deliveryis just the beginning of hopefully a lifetime of learning for her little one. How precious to know, in our spirit- life, God continues to parent, protect, and shape the new being He’s brought into existence! PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009.From the Minister’s StudyWith each new birth, a new beginning The Brussels Community Bible Chapel is hosting a movie night on Sunday, showing a documentary about one of the world’s most polarizing debates: Evolution. Admission is free for this film about one of the most famous voyages in the history of the world. The film will be shown on Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Brussels Public School. Admission is free and all are welcome. The Voyage That Shook The World is an Australian-made documentary that explores Charles Darwin’s famous 1831 voyage on the Beagle, which surveyed and charted coasts. It was on this journey, near the end of which, he found himself in Cape Town, South Africa, that he found facts that “undermine the stability of species”, eventually saying that these facts seemed to “throw some light on the origin of species.” It was upon returning to England once the Beagle returned in October of 1836 that Darwin began to formulate his theory of evolution. This made-for-television docu- mentary is one hour long and it includes interviews with scientists and scholars throughout Europe and North America. For more information contact Steve at 519-887-8651, Rick at 519-527-0173 or Chris at 519- 482-1644. Chapel hosts movie night, Sunday Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Blyth United Church Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark All Welcome Sunday, November 15 Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m. MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-9831 11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School 9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca Sunday, November 15 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 Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, November 15 Brussels Public School at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. 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 “The Voyage That Shook The World” Documentary being shown on Sunday, November 15 at 6:30 pm Please join us for worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00am Evening Service 7:30pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Welcomes you to come and worship with us Trinity, Blyth 9:15 a.m. 519-523-9595 St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. 519-887-6862 Sunday, November 15 YOU ARE WELCOME 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 10:30 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship Mid-week Bible Study C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS O N , I N D I A N A Timeless Truths For Today 308 Blyth Rd. E., Blyth Pastor Les Cook ~ 519-523-4590 Blyth Community Church of God REV. DAVID WOOD 119 John’s Ave.,Auburn 519-526-1131 www.huronchapel.org 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Small Groups 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service WEDNESDAY IS FAMILY NIGHT Olympians & Youth Small Groups at 6:30 pm Adult Small Group at 7:00 pm All programs end at 8:00 pm Nursery is also available. 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 Bible Study 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm - Women at the Well Fridays 7:30 pm - Youth Group Evangelical Missionary Church November 15: James 3:13ff “Diverting Devilish Desires” Don’t miss our ‘Home Party’ at Memorial Hall this Sat., 9-3!