Para Vista Lutheran Church

A video message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 22 Aug 2021.

There are two verses in Ephesians which remind us of the privilege we have in coming to God in prayer:

• Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because ofwhat Christ has done for us.  (Ephesians 2:18 NLT)
• Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.  (Ephesians 3:12 NLT)

In his ministry, Jesus was often withdrawing from others to spend time with his Father, and resting in his love.  Now we get to do the same.

I wonder: What’s the best blessing you might pray for your loved ones?  This might be a question worth discussing at home, or with Christian friends, or in your small group.

In this message we’ll be getting a few tips from Paul, who not only tells the believers in Ephesus that he is praying for them, but also what he is asking God to give them.  We will unpack Paul’s prayer (as listed below); and try to fathom what this could mean when praying for those we love.

Before I built a wall, I’d ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out
And to whom I was like to give offence.
Robert Frost, Mending Wall, 1914

Here is a deep truth, that walls are built to keep some things in and some things out, but how does one tell the difference? And who are we offending by building walls between us and them?

A professor in university once told me that the best way to look at Old Testament law was like this: “The law provides a wall, one which you can see over. But on the inside there is freedom. Freedom within a fence.” For the people of Israel, the law was a boundary marker. Across this you are not to go, but this law actually was a line over which no Gentile could cross. Circumcision was for Jews a testament and promise for them as people set apart for God’s holiness.

Amazingly, though, when Paul writes to the Ephesians, as Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians were often in hostility towards each other he says, ‘For he is our peace who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility in the flesh, he made of no effect the law… so that he might create in himself one new body from the two.’

When the dividing wall of hostility, those who followed the law for reasons of righteousness and those who did not, was torn down, peace was created. And the new body of people, Christ’s body as the Church, can now do what it was designed to do: to be ambassadors for Christ’s peace.

We are set apart for a purpose, every member of Christianity, to make connections in the community and beyond. How do you see yourself as part of this?

As you approach worship this week, whether in person or online, read Ephesians 2:11-22.

Pr Reid Matthias

Before I built a wall, I’d ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out
And to whom I was like to give offence.
Robert Frost, Mending Wall, 1914

Here is a deep truth, that walls are built to keep some things in and some things out, but how does one tell the difference? And who are we offending by building walls between us and them?

A professor in university once told me that the SET APART for CONNECTION (AUDIO)best way to look at Old Testament law was like this: “The law provides a wall, one which you can see over. But on the inside there is freedom. Freedom within a fence.” For the people of Israel, the law was a boundary marker. Across this you are not to go, but this law actually was a line over which no Gentile could cross. Circumcision was for Jews a testament and promise for them as people set apart for God’s holiness.

Amazingly, though, when Paul writes to the Ephesians, as Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians were often in hostility towards each other he says, ‘For he is our peace who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility in the flesh, he made of no effect the law… so that he might create in himself one new body from the two.’

When the dividing wall of hostility, those who followed the law for reasons of righteousness and those who did not, was torn down, peace was created. And the new body of people, Christ’s body as the Church, can now do what it was designed to do: to be ambassadors for Christ’s peace.

We are set apart for a purpose, every member of Christianity, to make connections in the community and beyond. How do you see yourself as part of this?

As you approach worship this week, whether in person or online, read Ephesians 2:11-22.

Pr Reid Matthias

In the classic Aussie movie, The Castle, whenever Darryl Kerrigan receives a valued gift, he declares: “This is going straight to the pool room!”  Along with trophies and photos of special moments, he was setting that item apart from everyday use.

I remember as a child, we had a glass display cabinet with my mum’s china cups, saucers and side plates.  We were not allowed to use them.  When mum had a dear friend or close relative visiting, she would get out the china tea set.  We kids never drank or ate from them. They were set apart for a special purpose – and brought out to honour special guests.

I wonder what precious items have you’ve set apart as special?  It might be something sentimental, perhaps an heirloom. Or it might be the prized item in a collection. Or it could be something you’ve made or restored.

Paul writes: “God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes” (Eph 1:4 NLT) To be “made holy” is to be set apart from what is common and unclean, from the sin and evil that defiles us.  To be “made holy” by God is to become his precious possession.  Because of what Jesus has done for us, God has set you and me apart for a special purpose.

Our calling is to live out our new identity in “holy living”. This does not mean isolating in a “glass display cabinet”, church building, or holy huddle. Instead, we pray and look for ways to bring the presence of Jesus into every encounter.  That way, others can come to know Jesus – and also share in God’s blessings.

Sure there are things we cannot participate in as followers of Jesus. But that doesn’t mean we stop connecting with people and looking for ways to listen, encourage, help or bless them.

This Sunday we are going to unpack God’s bagful of blessings that are ours “in Christ”.  If your relationship with God needs a “shot in the arm”, come along and be reminded of who you are in Christ, whose you are in Christ, the purpose God has for you in Christ, and the destiny that is yours in Christ.

Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl

In the classic Aussie movie, The Castle, whenever Darryl Kerrigan receives a valued gift, he declares: “This is going straight to the pool room!”  Along with trophies and photos of special moments, he was setting that item apart from everyday use.

I remember as a child, we had a glass display cabinet with my mum’s china cups, saucers and side plates.  We were not allowed to use them.  When mum had a dear friend or close relative visiting, she would get out the china tea set.  We kids never drank or ate from them. They were set apart for a special purpose – and brought out to honour special guests.

I wonder what precious items have you’ve set apart as special?  It might be something sentimental, perhaps an heirloom. Or it might be the prized item in a collection. Or it could be something you’ve made or restored.

Paul writes: “God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes” (Eph 1:4 NLT) To be “made holy” is to be set apart from what is common and unclean, from the sin and evil that defiles us.  To be “made holy” by God is to become his precious possession.  Because of what Jesus has done for us, God has set you and me apart for a special purpose.

Our calling is to live out our new identity in “holy living”. This does not mean isolating in a “glass display cabinet”, church building, or holy huddle. Instead, we pray and look for ways to bring the presence of Jesus into every encounter.  That way, others can come to know Jesus – and also share in God’s blessings.

Sure there are things we cannot participate in as followers of Jesus. But that doesn’t mean we stop connecting with people and looking for ways to listen, encourage, help or bless them.

This Sunday we are going to unpack God’s bagful of blessings that are ours “in Christ”.  If your relationship with God needs a “shot in the arm”, come along and be reminded of who you are in Christ, whose you are in Christ, the purpose God has for you in Christ, and the destiny that is yours in Christ.

Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl

An audio message from Reid Matthias, given online on 1 Aug 2021.

The Apostle Paul had been on the road along time.

On his third missionary journey, beginning in Antioch, taking him all the way into Greece, and back again, he was on his way back to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. As he approached the coast of present-day Turkey, he drew close to some of his favourite people in the world: the people of Ephesus.

Paul had a strong desire to see the people of the church. So, he sent for them to meet him on the beach near Miletus where they reconnected. It would be like one of your best friends flying from another country and staying at Victor Harbor. You would do everything in your power to meet up with them, right?

So, the leaders of Ephesus came to meet with Paul, and as they connected, Paul reminded them that they were set apart by Jesus for a purpose. To be living witnesses in the community, in the church, in their houses and neighbourhoods.

Has anything really changed in two thousand years? Has the mission changed at all? Was Ephesus any different than Para Vista?

This week we begin a journey as a community poring through the book of Ephesians learning about how Paul came to love this community which had been transformed from a pagan place to one which sought out the Holy Spirit’s will in their lives.

This week, as preparation for our Zoom worship, read Acts 20:17-38 and talk through this question:

What is God’s purpose in my life?

Due to the ongoing South Australian COVID-19 lock-down, worship on 1 August 2021 was live-streamed. This is a video recording of the live-stream, including the message "An overview of Ephesians?" by Pastor Reid Matthias.

The Apostle Paul had been on the road along time.

On his third missionary journey, beginning in Antioch, taking him all the way into Greece, and back again, he was on his way back to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. As he approached the coast of present-day Turkey, he drew close to some of his favourite people in the world: the people of Ephesus.

Paul had a strong desire to see the people of the church. So, he sent for them to meet him on the beach near Miletus where they reconnected. It would be like one of your best friends flying from another country and staying at Victor Harbor. You would do everything in your power to meet up with them, right?

So, the leaders of Ephesus came to meet with Paul, and as they connected, Paul reminded them that they were set apart by Jesus for a purpose. To be living witnesses in the community, in the church, in their houses and neighbourhoods.

Has anything really changed in two thousand years? Has the mission changed at all? Was Ephesus any different than Para Vista?

This week we begin a journey as a community poring through the book of Ephesians learning about how Paul came to love this community which had been transformed from a pagan place to one which sought out the Holy Spirit’s will in their lives.

This week, as preparation for our Zoom worship, read Acts 20:17-38 and talk through this question:

What is God’s purpose in my life?

An audio message from Pastor Richard Haar, delivered online on 25 July 2021.

In this message we explore the question of whether we will have enough and
then go more deeply into the question of whether we are enough in ourselves. 
The text (John 6:1-15) is about God's provision and his invitation to trust
in him.  With Jesus and us together, we are enough!

Due to the South Australian COVID-19 lock-down, worship on 25 July 2021 was live-streamed. This is a video recording of the live-stream, including the message "Will we have enough?" by Pastor Richard Haar.

In the message we explore the question of whether we will have enough and then go more deeply into the question of whether we are enough in ourselves.  The text (John 6:1-15) is about God's provision and his invitation to trust in him.  With Jesus and us together, we are enough!

A series of questions. 

How busy is your life at the moment? So many people complain about how busy life is. Even people who retire tell me they can’t keep up with their new lifestyle!! Why are we so busy? Is there anything we can do about it or do we just get dragged along by life and we… 

Pastor Paul Fielke