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Advent Week 2 - Do not Be Afraid

Robyn Black • Dec 06, 2021

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Well, we moved in to our new house or new quarters on Tuesday. They picked up our boxes on Monday and set them down in Georges Hall on Tuesday. It’s a 2 storey house and on that Tuesday I was up and down those stairs multiple times. Wednesday to Friday I had to be in Redfern at THQ for 3 days, so I was up and at ‘em on Wednesday morning. I stood at the top of those stairs with legs like Bambi (not skinny…I mean, unsteady), and said to myself ‘come on rob, it will be OK, you can make it down these stairs…there’s coffee at the bottom’.

 

Then, I’m used to sleeping in perfect quietness in our Tarrawanna house and I was at the house by myself overnight and heard every plane taking off at Bankstown airport. That didn’t worry me (it was annoying) but what did worry me was hearing a door open downstairs. With heavy beating heart I got out of bed and turned on some lights…no one seemed to be around. The next morning I discovered we’re so close to our neighbours, you can hear when they go out their back door at night.

 

There’s lots of things to adjust to and lots of things that could be a bit scary, but nothing compares with Zechariah in today’s story, coming face to face with a supernatural being. Over the next couple of weeks I’m focussing on the ‘Do not be afraid’ phrases in the Christmas story. And what’s as intriguing as the command to not be afraid, is why in each situation the person is told to ‘not be afraid’.  

 

So we’ll look at Zechariah and Elizabeth's story in Luke chapter 1. We heard some of the story recounted by General Brian Peddle, of Zachariah going in to the Temple that day and encountering an angel. As the General says, this story is full of surprises. The angel says in Luke 1:13, “‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah;”. This is the first of the do not be afraid statements we read in the Christmas story and each of them is closely followed by another statement. And the angel says to Zechariah ‘Don’t be afraid… “your prayer has been heard.”

 

Now I could stop preaching here because in our relationship with God, it’s as simple and as complex as this….everything you’ve said to God, he’s heard.

 

It’s simple because he’s God and he’s supernatural and hearing billions of people at once is no problem for him. But it’s complex for a few reasons.

1.   Some of the prayers we’ve prayed over the years and the when we look back at the things we asked God for…well we’re glad that he didn’t always act on those prayers. Oh when I think of the guys that I thought were marriage material when I was 16!

2.   It’s complex because our prayers, even the good ones, do not always seem to be answered.

 

But here’s a few thoughts I have about this.

Unanswered prayer is not a reflection on your level of faith or godliness or if God likes you. I’ll say that again, because I think deep down sometimes we can think this… Unanswered prayer is not a reflection on your level of faith or godliness or if God likes you.

 

We read in verse 5-6 “Zechariah… belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.”

 

These people came from the most holy families, they were both from families that went right back in the priestly line. All the men in both Elizabeth and Zechariah’s families would have served in the temple in some way. But they didn’t just come from decent temple serving families, the Bible tells us they were good and just people in God’s sight, they acted with integrity, they were diligent in keeping God’s ways and laws. Yet their prayers seemed unanswered.

 

We sometimes get a Sound of Music theology happening. I need to say quickly – I like the Sound of Music – before Emma walks out! But remember when Maria and Captain Von Trapp finally work out that they both like each other and they sing

“Perhaps I had a wicked childhood

Perhaps I had a miserable youth

But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past

There must have been a moment of truth

For here you are, standing there, loving me

Whether or not you should

So somewhere in my youth or childhood

I must have done something good”

 

It’s very romantic…but it’s just not right. It’s that idea that if things are going well, I must have done something good in the past to deserve this. And if things are going badly, if they’re not going my way, then I must have done something wrong in the past to deserve this situation. You know, life is not that simple. And we see here in the Bible an exemplary couple, 2 fine, amazing, godly individuals, who have not had their prayers answered. God doesn’t answer prayer because you’ve been good, and he doesn’t withhold answering prayer because you’ve been bad. 

 

Oh you might say, but God did answer their prayers in the end. But Zechariah and Elizabeth didn’t know that. They still they would have had 50 years of wondering why God had not answered their prayers. Unanswered prayer is not a reflection on your level of faith or your spirituality.

 

Second, even the best pray-ers sometimes falter. I think of Zechariah, a priest, a fine upstanding godly man, and when the angel says ‘your prayers have been answered, your wife is going to have a baby’, he basically says ‘you’re joking’ to the angel. Now, this is not exactly the greatest faith filled answer is it? It makes me think that though they may have asked God fervently for a child 50 years earlier, somewhere along the way…maybe when she turned 50, or 55 or 60 they kind of gave up on that dream and move on to other prayer points.  

 

This encourages me in 2 ways. It may be that sometimes people and situations fall off my prayer radar, but this reminds me God never forgets and He’s not perturbed if I forget to pray for a situation.

 

It also encourages me that sometimes I might think that a particular prayer request was too much for God. Zechariah said in verse 18 ‘‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.’ He believed it was too much for God, too hard for God, too difficult to believe. So if you ever think, oh gosh, I’m praying for this situation but I really can’t see how God could resolve it. Remember it’s not your problem – you are not God. When Zechariah asked ‘how can this happen’. Actually Gabriel did not give a biology lesson. ‘well, I’m glad you asked, it starts with an egg…’ No, Gabriel says ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you’. That’s all. If God says he’ll do it, then he’ll do it.

 

Third, just that – your prayer has been heard. It may not always be answered in the timing you had in mind, in may not always be answered in the way you want, but don’t be afraid…your prayer has been heard. I like this reading about Unanswered Prayer:

 

I asked for strength that I might achieve;

I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy;

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I had asked for,

but everything that I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;

I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

 

This morning we remember that Advent is a season of waiting. Waiting for the Messiah, and waiting for answers to prayer. Today God would say to you, don’t be afraid, because he has heard your prayer. Don’t give up and don’t give in, God knows your heart and hears the prayers of your heart. God bless you.

Sermons For The Moment

New Year

By Robyn Black • 09 Jan, 2022
New Year - Matthew 2:13-23

Christmas

By Robyn Black • 09 Jan, 2022
Do not be afraid - Matthew 1:18-21

Advent Week 4

By Robyn Black • 21 Dec, 2021
Luke 2: 4- 15

Advent Week 3

By Robyn Black • 19 Dec, 2021
Luke 1: 26-33

Ruth Chapter 4

By Robyn Black • 06 Dec, 2021
Ruth Chapter 4

Ruth

By Robyn Black • 23 Nov, 2021
Ruth 3

God the Provider

By Robyn Black • 21 Nov, 2021
Ruth 2

Ruth

By Robyn Black • 02 Nov, 2021
Commitment from Love, Ruth 1: 1-18

This too shall pass

28 Oct, 2021
This is an interesting Psalm – another psalm of ascent. We spoke about these Psalms of Ascent a few weeks ago. They were songs the Jewish people sang as they made their way to Jerusalem to go to the temple, through the forest, along the tracks, camping by the roads. And I believe songs like this kept them focussed and kept their spirits up. I can imagine days of walking together, tiring, boring, hot and dusty. And singing some of these Psalms keep them focussed on the faithfulness of God. Much better then eye spy for the kids. Journeys are not all their cracked up to be even if the destination is worth it. As you know, when I was growing up we always holidayed at Bawley Point past Ulladulla, and in those days it was about a 4 hour drive from Sydney. We always left later than we meant to…and the last 20 mins was on a dirt road. One year when I was probably about 4 years old it was dark by the time we got to the dirt road, and half way along the dirt road, was a dodgy wooden bridge over a river. I think part of the bridge had been damaged and we had to wait a bit in the pitch black darkness before we could proceed. Dad was out with a torch ensuring the bridge was safe to drive on and mum and us 4 kids were sitting in the darkness – no street lights, no moonlight. Of course, you might be able to guess what I said to mum in that car, with fearful crying…you’ve probably heard it from kids before. I said ‘I want to go home’. Mum said to me, ‘we can’t go home Robyn, we’re almost there’. In truth, after the bridge we had the last 10 minutes of a 4 hours journey left. We safely crossed the bridge and we were OK. But I remember it. I remember the feeling of being scarred in the darkness. I remember not liking this journey at all. Even though I always loved the destination. Well this psalm celebrates the end of the journey and the arrival at the destination. Psalm 126:1-3, “When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!” Before we can understand the laughter and joy of the Israelites, we have to understand their journey. This Psalm looks back to when they arrived back in Jerusalem after 70 long years in Babylon. The captives had experienced great sorrow and mourning in exile. We read these heartbreaking words in Psalm 137: “Beside the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept as we thought of Jerusalem. We put away our harps, hanging them on the branches of poplar trees. For our captors demanded a song from us. Our tormentors insisted on a joyful hymn: “Sing us one of those songs of Jerusalem!” But how can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a pagan land?” (Psalm 137:1-4). Their tormentors demanded they sing joyfully, but they were like – that’s impossible, it doesn’t come from our heart. So they just sat by the waters of Babylon and wept. But now by an amazing work of God they were suddenly back in Jerusalem. And so their joy came from their heart. The wait was over, the journey was complete. “We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.” The journey is the hard bit though isn’t it? I was reminded of this, this week. An Officer couple I was speaking to, said that their teenager said some very hurtful things to them. Stuff like, ‘you make my life worse’. As they spoke to me, I did very little but listen and pray with them. They do have other supports in their life as well, already seeing a psychologist. But what I was thinking in my head as they were speaking was ‘oh the teenage years, I’d forgotten them’. Though we have 2 wonderful young adults in P and K, they were times when it was more than tense. K wears her heart on her sleeve, and to this day apologises for some of the things she said to me. And P, you wouldn’t know what he was thinking, and then all of a sudden all his thoughts and feelings for the last 3 years would come out like molten lava everywhere. A few days later I checked in to see how the couple and their teenager were going. I mentioned in passing about teenage years and very briefly about our experiences. I didn’t want to make it all about me. But I said teenage years can be painful and those years can really hurt everyone in the family. Teenager included. They know that we have a good relationship with P and K and they said to me, you know, this is helpful. It gives us hope. I was like, yep, this too shall pass. Because when you’re in the midst of the journey of pain and sorrow, you sometimes wonder if there’s light at the end of the tunnel. If you’ll laugh again or experience joy again. You begin to wonder, “Is this all that God has for me? Will I ever be happy again?” And here’s the promise in Psalm 126:4-6, “Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.” When you are going through a time of deep sorrow, Psalm 126 is strong medicine for your soul. It carries a powerful message of hope. It tells you that times of trouble and sorrow do not last. It tells you that God will turn your sorrow to joy and your tears to laughter. If you are going through a challenging time right now, I pray that this psalm will speak to your heart this morning. Let me tell you right up front, whatever you’re going through, it will get better. God will change your tears to joy. This week I found something I wrote about 10 years ago. I had written it on a piece of paper and there was a whole reflection about my life. At the time we had my mum living with us, she had dementia, and mostly I remember the good times and the fun times with her. I was also the Corps Officer at Glebe and Bob was the manager at William Booth House. After a page of writing I had written something like this “I’m often anxious, I’m usually stressed, I have eczema on my eyelids and ulcers in my mouth. I always feel pressed.” I went out to Bob in the lounge room and I’m like, ‘oh my goodness, eczema on my eyelids and ulcers in my mouth’, often anxious, usually stressed. The thing is, my life feels a long way from that now, and I’d forgotten what that part of my journey felt like. I’m sure when I was there I couldn’t look ahead and see a time of joy…but the truth is that “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.” This too shall pass. ‘Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!’ says verse 3. God is faithful – he does the healing, the restoring, he brings the streams in the desert that renews and brings fruitfulness. I don’t need to tell you – it takes time. Today, I’m praying for a work of healing in your life, a gradual restoration of joy, of laughter. Like me as a kid, sometimes we don’t like parts of this journey at all. Even though we know our destination is good. And ultimately, we have a destination like no other and that’s the promise of God. A home in heaven made possible through Jesus. May God bless you this week as you look to Him, listen to Him, find your hope in Him and find courage and healing in your journey.

Last Meal

By Bob Seymour • 19 Oct, 2021
Jesus speaking to the disciples says, ‘Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me. The Thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of John is a high velocity chapter, in my opinion. Headline after headline, The Last Supper is the feature article we know best, but then, there is Jesus washing the feet of the disciples to very mixed emotions. Then comes Jesus teaching regarding sacramental service and how he anticipates the disciples proper treatment of others. Iscariot’s predicted betrayal was mentioned, then Jesus speaks of The New Commandment followed closely on the same evening by Jesus warning and prediction of Peter’s denial of Jesus. A big night around the dinner table for everyone there, and a momentous series of events to unfold within the following few days. A lifetime of indelible memories for the disciples as the plans and purposes of God are revealed in the next few days. For the crowds who were present to witness this occasion many people must have found it mind blowing simply too hard to grasp…..all the events were miraculous, certainly, other worldly, certainly, and still today a full comprehension still eludes us without the exercise of a simple faith. I may not completely understand the ways of God…but I do trust God to be God. I’m okay with that and so is God! Earlier this week the media was full of conversation and speculation about how people were going to celebrate ‘freedom day’ (Monday 11th) the stroke of midnight was overwhelmed by pictures of mobs going to licensed premises to make pigs of themselves at the bar, the pokies and other gaming tables and screens. I’m afraid for me seeing the behaviors of people within the first twenty-four hours of so called freedom day was just a concentration of many days in the past 5 to 18 months. We saw many distorted ways for people to tell others how bad off they are and how tough their life has been at the hands of an uncaring and indifferent Government be it State or Commonwealth. The elusive quality many should be turning their attention to is their lack of ‘insight’. I find it sad even tragic when so many fail to recognise within themselves widespread disregard, disrespect and even indifference for human life, who are being driven by fear and selfishness. The restrictions introduced Internationally we call ‘lock down’ or stay at home directions, work from home, home schooling, click and collect, shopping on line for anything and everything on a shelf or in a shop. GP’s consultations on line, pharmacy requirement, prescriptions on line and chemists delivering. Most of what we needed and wanted was accessible one way or another with one important exception in my case….haircuts! Robyn offered…several times….and so did my daughter Keren. Freedom week got me a seat at the hairdresser on Thursday following several visits and several hours in a queue. The last haircut was just before the hairdresser went on maternity leave, she was back at work this week, her child is learning to drive now….its been a while. All four of my grandparents had died by the time I was in my twenties with only one of them really known by us and she was amazingly patient, durable, gracious, kind, and very warm and loving. A grandfather had served in both world wars and with some of his family migrated from a poor place to Australia during the Great Depression for a better life, and got it. There’s nothing unique about my family and nothing peculiar to Australia, this story of overcoming hardship, grinding poverty, widespread sickness and misery was known to millions upon millions over the world. You and I do not hail from the hordes of angels, we hail from the ordinary everyday variety of people who have populated the earth, not from those who live a charmed life. We however have a nature and a soul bestowed upon us by God the Creator of All, capable of kindness, compassionate and loving service. If you haven’t seen the real unspoiled nature of humanity at work, seek out the stories of your family, if you have grandparents, great grandparents, uncles and aunties who were born before the 1950’s talk and research and discover the strength and fiber of your inherited humanity. This does come with a warning however, be prepared for a surprise. The old expression, ‘I am today, what all my yesterdays have made me’, carries a great truth, but at best it can only convey part of your story. We are human with all the accompanying peculiarities……BUT we are more, much more. We are reading from the Gospel of John today, and I must admit, this is the Gospel I always turn to first. John 8:12 ‘when Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ Please take some time to ponder these words and how they are directed to you, this is personal. If you don’t think Jesus words are directed to you today…..then who is He speaking to? We have a guide to lead us so we can find our way. Our wisdom is to look to Him, and absorb His Spirit and apply that to all our circumstance of life. **We do have a guide for life and life for us each would be not only more **harmonious but we would be more fulfilled, we would truly know from **personal experience what Jesus means by applying the bowl of water and **towel in the Sacrament of Service. With such a sure guide in the world in does seem odd to me why many, many more people don’t follow the light of God. Humanity might have made greater progress faster than we have. Let’s get back to John 13: 21 before someone pulls the Zoom plug out of the wall. Before going in to hospital, I decided to help myself a bit by sorting and packing our books (700). However, there is one shelf still crammed full. No prize for guessing, they are cook books also I watch cooking shows on TV, UTube etc. Cooks often ask the guests on the show about their favorite meal, even what would they ask for if they knew this was to be the last meal. Two surprises, Ice Cream is a biggy, a multitude of flavors and trimmings. The second surprise has been simple meals like mum or grandma used to cook. This is when you discover food is a lot more than for just eating. I’ve never heard of anyone asking for Brussel sprouts or Kale. During these conversations about favorite foods we often hear about the significant people in their life, who were their great influences, those that bough much joy and kindness, those who were able to console, challenge and encourage even those who inspired love and gently directed people on to life in its fullness. Rarely do we hear about those who instilled fear or humiliation, distrust or dislike. Generally, we don’t gather people to the table who broke our hearts or spirit, crushed our dreams or betrayed our trust. Just before Jesus went to a garden to plead with His Father for another way out of His looming death, He invited 12 of His closest friends to join Him for Dinner, one last time. As the wine was being passed around the table Jesus dropped a bomb by announcing to them all, He knew one sitting at the table would betray Him and another would deny Him. What a stir, what a turmoil within each one as they declared their innocence, they all said it wasn’t them. Jesus knew in a few short hours He would be handed over to be crucified. A final meal together and Jesus could have chosen others but He chose the group closest to Him, including the ones He knew would soon betray and hurt Him. My last meal. Your last meal. Who would be on the invitation list? Why Jesus? What does this mean? This is what love does.
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