[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Advent 2: Rom 15.4-13

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded:

Some Australian notes towards a sermon on Rom 15.4-13
* Today, 2nd Sunday of Advent we think about the difference Jesus can make when people are willing to celebrate his Coming, instead of ignoring him.
+ Our reading from the letter to the Romans tells us that as we read and put into practice the teaching of Jesus as set out for us in the Scriptures, we will be filled with new hope.
+ One important thing stands out for me, and that is the fact that Jesus is able to bring together people who were once at opposite ends of religion, 
- because the God Jesus tells us about is kind to everyone, no matter what religion they claim to follow.
+ This God gives people the gifts of hope, happiness, patience and peace.
+ I reckon that just about everyone on this planet is looking for those blessings.
+ Paul tells us that there are two main things we can do to allow those gifts to grow and develop within us:
- (1) we can read the Scriptures, and (2) we can accept each other as Christ has accepted us.
+ It’s a bit like maintaining our physical health: 
- we have to exercise, keep fit, eat healthy food, and avoid harmful stuff.
+ So if we want to have the spiritual blessings Jesus talks about, we have to allow the words of the Bible to sink deep into our mind and our heart, and we have to practise getting on with one another, especially with difficult people.
+ Reading and thinking about the Bible is like eating healthy food: the Bible feeds our hearts and minds, and shows us the unhealthy habits of thinking we should avoid;
- practising getting on with others is like doing our physical exercise: it builds positive helpful and healthy ways of behaving.
+ Spiritual food and spiritual exercise lead to God’s gifts of hope, happiness, patience and peace;
- and as we allow these gifts to grow within us we will find this world becoming more and more like God’s New World.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Rev'd Dr H.C. Smith
 Retired Anglican Priest
 Orange NSW
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