What is your delight?

Psalm 1

Psalms 1:1-2

1)  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

What is your delight? What really gets you going? Or to put it the other way round, how important is God’s word to you? Is it a joy to read, something you can’t put down? Is your time spent with your Bible something you look forward to, and indeed do first thing every day, regretting the fact you can’t spend more time?

When I got married we were presented with a bible. In the cover the pastor of the church had written Joshua 1:8 which is very similar to today’s passage. Joshua was on the verge of leading the people of Israel into the promised land. He had seen God at work through Moses, and now it was time for him to step up. The similarities between leadership and marriage are immense, and so it should come as no surprise that the same instruction holds true for those about to enter marriage, or indeed for anyone. When starting in a relationship, starting in leadership, starting a new job, or school, you expect the best advice to be work, and study hard. Listen to your boss, teacher, or whoever. Make sure you are on the case with your homework, projects, or sermons. Instead the advice here is, get stuck into the word of God.

It is easy for the business of the day to take you away from reading the word of God, and it quickly becomes a chore, not a delight. In taking that instruction to put God first, no matter what, your entire outlook changes. How you do that job, live that relationship, or lead that church is now based on communicating the joy of God, not how you feel that day.

Joseph, a man with a plan

Joseph really listened to God. Four angelic encounters. He heard, he acted, no questions. We should be the same.

The Shepherds hear the news

If Jesus had come today it would have been all over Twitter. Instead they told the shepherds. Same effect ... Why do we not have the same heart for mission?

Radio Debut

Last week I had my radio debut (unless you count a competition entry twenty-five years ago). Premier Christian Radio asked me to do a short interview on what is happening in the church here in Monnow Road. (Thanks Brian for the recommendation). In typical style I caught a cold two days before, and so had my head buried in a bowl of Vicks half an hour before going live. You can tell, but at least I wasn't sneezing my way through it.

Anyway, I have published the interview on http://www.mrbc.co.uk/sermons/premier_interview.mp3 for those who missed it last week.

Joseph, a calm man

Joseph sets the example as a man of calm reasoning. He also stands out as one who listens to God, and acts immediately on what he has heard. Does this describe you?

Mary vs Gabriel

Why was Mary troubled by the appearance of the angel? Fear you can understand! She was troubled because this mean't change, and no-one likes change.

John Foretold

John the Baptist was the last prophet before Christ. His ministry, like all the prophets, was to point the way to Christ, but in his case this became a physical act.

John 1:23

23)  He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

He was also foretold, and fulfilled prophecy from the old testament, primarily in Isaiah, and Malachi, but also in the form of Elijah. In fact some believed he was Elijah, though a better way to put it would be that the Spirit of Elijah was upon him, as it was upon Elisha.

Elijah and John

When asked by the pharisees John denied being Elijah (John 1:21). However, he was also said to be Elijah, and as such we recognise Elijah’s Spirit upon him. Jesus said “This is Elias” (Matthew 11:13-14)

Here are just some of the ways Elijah and John were similar:

• Both were hairy, and wore a similar clothing (2 Kings 1:8; Mark 1:6).
• Both had disciples (2 Kings 2:3; Luke 11:1).
• Both preached to the reigning king (1 Kings 17:1; Mark 6:20).
• Both lived in the desert near the river Jordan (1 Kings 17:5-6; Matthew 3:5-6).
• Both preached, and saw repentance from many (1 Kings 18:39; Matthew 3:6).
• Both confronted the reigning king over sin (1 Kings 21:18-19; Matthew 14:3-4).

Prophesied by Isaiah

Isaiah directly foretold the coming of John (Isaiah 40:3-5), and this passage is directly quoted all four of the gospels (John 1:22-23).

• He would be a voice in the wilderness.
• He would prepare the way of the Lord.
• He would witness the glory of the Lord revealed, with the audible voice of God (As happened at the baptism of Jesus).

Looking closely at this prophecy, and its fulfillment, it should be noticed that John was a voice; he was not a mere echo. He spoke with authority because he knew God and His Word intimately. His preaching was a vital message from the Lord. He did not depend on earthly wisdom which may or may not have been good He had a direct revelation from heaven. He voiced the precious Word of God.

Prophesied by Malachi

Malachi first reinforced the prophecy of Isaiah, then gives us more.

• He would be sent by God with a message.
• He would prepare the way of the Lord.
• He would have the Spirit of Elijah.
• He would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.

This was then repeated direct to John’s dad before his birth (Luke 1:13-17).

All this and more he did in fulfilment of prophecy. John the herald of Christ.