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Weekly messages from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista Inc
Episodes
Sunday Jan 16, 2022
Sunday Jan 16, 2022
While the Bible condemns drunkenness, wine is a gift of God for times of celebration and joy. Wine was regarded as one of the Lord’s covenant blessings on his faithful people:
So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today — to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul — then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil (Deuteronomy 11:13-14 NIV).
I love the story of Jesus turning 6 large jars of water into a LOT of wine. And it’s not just because I enjoy a cracking good red!
Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana. Given that it’s not far from Nazareth, they may have been friends of his family.
Things start off well, people enjoying themselves and giving thanks to God. The Kiddush, the Jewish prayer over the wine: “Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.”
But with the wine running out, the family hosting the wedding banquet was facing total embarrassment and decades of shame. Jesus’ mum tells him: “They have no more wine.”
Following Jesus’ instructions, the servants fill up 6 stone jars with water; and then draw some out and take it to the master of ceremonies. He declares that this is the best wine at the banquet.
Jesus saves a family from shame; and enables a wedding feast to continue for the enjoyment of all. Yet at first, most were oblivious to the source of the best wine.
One of the Messianic signs:
‘In that day the mountains will drip new wine…’ (Joel 3:18 NIV).
‘New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills…’ (Amos 9:13 NIV).
This sign points to Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah. And it points toward the heavenly banquet at God’s place – where all God’s people will celebrate life to the full!
Jesus is the life of the party because he is the Lord of Life.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Sunday Jan 16, 2022
Sunday Jan 16, 2022
While the Bible condemns drunkenness, wine is a gift of God for times of celebration and joy. Wine was regarded as one of the Lord’s covenant blessings on his faithful people:
So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today — to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul — then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil (Deuteronomy 11:13-14 NIV).
I love the story of Jesus turning 6 large jars of water into a LOT of wine. And it’s not just because I enjoy a cracking good red!
Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana. Given that it’s not far from Nazareth, they may have been friends of his family.
Things start off well, people enjoying themselves and giving thanks to God. The Kiddush, the Jewish prayer over the wine: “Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.”
But with the wine running out, the family hosting the wedding banquet was facing total embarrassment and decades of shame. Jesus’ mum tells him: “They have no more wine.”
Following Jesus’ instructions, the servants fill up 6 stone jars with water; and then draw some out and take it to the master of ceremonies. He declares that this is the best wine at the banquet.
Jesus saves a family from shame; and enables a wedding feast to continue for the enjoyment of all. Yet at first, most were oblivious to the source of the best wine.
One of the Messianic signs:
‘In that day the mountains will drip new wine…’ (Joel 3:18 NIV).
‘New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills…’ (Amos 9:13 NIV).
This sign points to Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah. And it points toward the heavenly banquet at God’s place – where all God’s people will celebrate life to the full!
Jesus is the life of the party because he is the Lord of Life.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Sunday Jan 09, 2022
Sunday Jan 09, 2022
When John the Baptist appeared on the scene, some wondered whether he was the Messiah.
John doesn't point to himself, but to the One who will baptise people with the Holy Spirit and fire.
When Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove - and God the Father declared who Jesus is.
A message from Pastor Rolly Stahl on Luke 3:15-22
Sunday Jan 09, 2022
Sunday Jan 09, 2022
When John the Baptist appeared on the scene, some wondered whether he was the Messiah.
John doesn't point to himself, but to the One who will baptise people with the Holy Spirit and fire.
When Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove - and God the Father declared who Jesus is.
A message from Pastor Rolly Stahl on Luke 3:15-22
Sunday Jan 02, 2022
Sunday Jan 02, 2022
With the challenges of the last 2 years, people wonder: "Where's God in this?" "Where is God taking us?" "What does it mean to follow Jesus and share him with others?" As we start this New Year, It's good to fix our eyes on Jesus and to remember who we are and whose we are in Him. Our series Jesus is... Today: Jesus is God doing life with us.
Today message is by our guest: Pastor Peter Steicke.
Sunday Jan 02, 2022
Sunday Jan 02, 2022
With the challenges of the last 2 years, people wonder: "Where's God in this?" "Where is God taking us?" "What does it mean to follow Jesus and share him with others?" As we start this New Year, It's good to fix our eyes on Jesus and to remember who we are and whose we are in Him. Our series Jesus is... Today: Jesus is God doing life with us.
Today message is by our guest: Pastor Peter Steicke.
Sunday Dec 26, 2021
Sunday Dec 26, 2021
This is the sixth and final message in our series "Surprised by Joy", by pastor Rolly Stahl.
Christmas celebrates God coming down from Heaven to earth in the baby boy Jesus. In Jesus, God has opened his heart and his kingdom to us. In Jesus, we have God's favour so that we can bless others. In this message on Boxing Day, we explore the joy in blessing the poor.
Sunday Dec 26, 2021
Sunday Dec 26, 2021
This is the sixth and final message in our series "Surprised by Joy", by pastor Rolly Stahl.
Christmas celebrates God coming down from Heaven to earth in the baby boy Jesus. In Jesus, God has opened his heart and his kingdom to us. In Jesus, we have God's favour so that we can bless others. In this message on Boxing Day, we explore the joy in blessing the poor.
Saturday Dec 25, 2021
Saturday Dec 25, 2021
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
Let earth receive her king.
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
There is joy in knowing that we are loved and treasured by our Heavenly Father. In spite of human indifference and rebellion towards our Creator, God has never given up on his restorations plans for his creation – including us humans who have been created in the image of God.
Over thousands of years, God promised a Deliverer from the curse of sin, a descendant of Abraham who would bring blessing to the nations, a son of David who would establish an everlasting kingdom, the Messiah through whom God would redeem the world. The Lord’s ancient promises are – and will be – fulfilled in Jesus.
At the birth of his Infant Majesty, God’s holy angels sang for joy in heaven; and people rejoiced here on earth. As we remember Jesus’ birth, we celebrate the love of God for us in sending his Son to save us and make us his forever.
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! (Romans 15:13 MSG)
Pastor Rolly Stahl
Saturday Dec 25, 2021
Saturday Dec 25, 2021
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
Let earth receive her king.
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
There is joy in knowing that we are loved and treasured by our Heavenly Father. In spite of human indifference and rebellion towards our Creator, God has never given up on his restorations plans for his creation – including us humans who have been created in the image of God.
Over thousands of years, God promised a Deliverer from the curse of sin, a descendant of Abraham who would bring blessing to the nations, a son of David who would establish an everlasting kingdom, the Messiah through whom God would redeem the world. The Lord’s ancient promises are – and will be – fulfilled in Jesus.
At the birth of his Infant Majesty, God’s holy angels sang for joy in heaven; and people rejoiced here on earth. As we remember Jesus’ birth, we celebrate the love of God for us in sending his Son to save us and make us his forever.
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! (Romans 15:13 MSG)
Pastor Rolly Stahl