'Holiness, holiness is what I long for. Holiness is what I need. Holiness, holiness is what you want for me.'
That song came flooding back to my mind this week as I've been preparing for Sundays' message. In all the areas of our life, we are to aim for holiness. God is pursuing our holiness as he disciplines us, and we are called to embrace that discipline as we pursue his holiness.
God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10-11
Are we being ruthless with all the distractions of this world? What are you pursuing above holiness? And how will you throw it off to freely run the race you have begun?
In all these distractions, I'm convinced we need more of God's Holy Word, and not less of it. As a church we need to be under it more together, letting it shape our lives so profoundly that it causes us to change as we are shaped into the likeness of the One who speaks that Word.
Men - we need that Word to deeply order our lives so that we can sacrificially lead ourselves, our families and our homes and our church to the glory of God who has called us to lead in these areas.
Women - you need that Word so that you may love more deeply, serve more freely and that you imitate Christ with all joy till He returns.
Children - you need that Word so that you may grow in the strength and knowledge of the Lord, learning to love your parents and being and being straightened and readied as a gospel-arrow.
So, let us run this race brothers and sisters, together holding on to the hope we have in Jesus. Let us share our lives with one another, let us sit under God's Word together, let us be open to correction and rebuke and encouragement and to be trained in righteousness. This is our great privilege and joy - to be disciplined by the God who loves us. I want to see him on that final day not as an illegitimate son, but as one who knows the disciplining voice of his Father - My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. John 10:27
Plans for this Sunday
Until the start of Term 4 we continue in our re-gathering stage at St Aidan's.
- 9 O'clock Church and church@5 meeting at St Aidan's
- For ten30church, we're meeting in the carpark, with Kids Church meeting in Tulloch Lodge. Please bring along a chair, in the event of rain we will meet in the St Aidan's church.
- Online: We are continuing to make available the Online Service as well as a Live linkup through Zoom at each gathering, access both via the Online Service page of our website.
From the start of Term 4 ten30 will resume meeting at the SDA, read here: Sundays at St Aidan's
This Sunday - Hebrews 12:14-29
Those who endure come to mount Zion, not mount Sinai. A new and better covenant through Jesus, who by his blood satisfies the just wrath of God and permits his people to enter God’s presence with confidence. If we reject the son, however, we cannot escape the coming judgement.
Next week: Hebrews 13:1-6
Kids Church News
Kids Church continues during the holidays. Continue to drop of your children at Tulloch Lodge as you have been doing. Over the next 3 weeks, Alesha, Ryan, and Ian (with some excellent leaders) will continue to take your children through the Bible with fun, dance, and teaching.
Other News
Min is away on leave
Min is on annual leave and she will be back Oct 21. During this time, the office will be open only Wednesday mornings (10am-12pm). If there are urgent admin matters please contact Dawn Woodland E| woodie43@bigpond.com M| 0408 297 539 or Rob Scriven E| robscriven21@gmail.com M| 0408 683 247
To stay up to date with our online church events, visit staidanswagga.org.au and like us on Facebook.
