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the  Preachers  blog

Blogs are posted every Wednesday, except in July and August

Real Lives not Passive Lives by Pastor Dave

12/9/2020

 
“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.”
Philippians 2: 12b-13

Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23

    At St. Aidan’s our Vision summary statement reads, Real God, Real Church, Real Lives. This is not some fancy or glib marketing tool; it has real meaning for those who wish to listen and understand. If God is real, knowing Him should transform the Church into Christ’s Body and Her member’s lives into genuine imitations of Jesus. We’ve just finished working through the letter of James. In essence He is saying the same thing in a much better way. If God is real and we have faith in Him our lives, what we do and say, will be transformed. Lives of faith will be authentic and actions will follow in obedience to God’s Word. We will live in anticipation and readiness for Christ’s return.
     If you are reading this the chances are that you agree with what I have just said. The reality of its truth however may not be reflected in our lives, this can make us feel uncomfortable. Well let me encourage you! In Philippians 1: 6 we read that we can ‘be(ing) confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.’ I was recently speaking to a fellow Pastor who shared the truth that we are all unfinished creations. As we read in Isaiah 64 we are the clay and the Lord the potter. We begin a new life in Christ which is then perfected by the author, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12: 2). However, as we considered on Monday, as God is not passive we can find ourselves to be passive in this wonderful relationship. We are called to work out our salvation with God while He works in us to fulfil His good purposes. This means following the directions James has given us along with the Lord’s directions elsewhere in His Word, through His Holy Spirit and in His Church.
     When working out our salvation it is a good challenge to consider what type of ‘soil’ we are in line with the Lord’s parable of the sower; how much Kingdom living is going on? Is God’s truth snatched away from our hearts easily (seed on the path), do we have very shallow roots (rocky soil), do the cares of the world inhibit us (amongst weeds) or are we producing much fruit for God’s Kingdom (fertile soil)(Matthew 13: 18-23).
     We are not the finished article yet but with Paul’s encouragement let us forget what is behind and press on to attain that which God has called us heavenward for (Philippians 3: 13-14, 7-11); the goal is life itself and is worth more than anything else….anything else!
 
To Ponder: In which soil do you find your heart residing? Why is that and what do you do next? 

Pray: Keep us, O Lord, while we tarry on this earth, in a serious seeking after you, and in an affectionate walking with you, every day of our lives; that when you come, we may be found not hiding our talent, nor serving the flesh, nor yet asleep with our lamps unfurnished, but waiting and longing for our glorious God for ever. Amen
Richard Baxter (1691)

Praise: No Longer Slaves sung by St. Aidan’s
Take my Life and let it be

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    Who is Jesus?
At St Aidan's, it's our desire to know our Real God,
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St Aidan’s Anglican Church
274 Campbell Street | Winnipeg, MB R3N 1B5
Phone: 204.489.3390 Email: [email protected]
  • Home
  • Worship Online
  • The Preachers Blog
  • Bible in a Year
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Prayer Requests
  • Request Pastoral Care
  • Youth
  • Give
  • Statement of Faith
  • Video Archive
    • 2025 Videos
    • 2024 Videos
    • Real Lives
    • 2023 Videos
    • 2022 Videos
    • 2021 Videos
    • 2020 Videos
  • Sermon Audio Archive
    • 2020 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centered Eternities November 2019
      • The Real Joy of Easter - Holy Week 2019
    • 2018 Sermons
    • 2018 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centred Church Spring 2018
      • A Gospel Shaped Church Fall 2018
    • 2017 Sermon Series >
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
      • The Saviour King Lent 2017
      • The Victorious King Holy Week 2017
      • The Living King Easter 2017
      • The Brother King Fall 2017
      • Worship the King Advent 2017
    • 2016 Sermon Series >
      • Real Obedience Lent 2016
      • Unity of the Church
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
    • 2015 Sermon Series >
      • Real Gifts 2015
      • Real Mission 2015
      • Mission Discerned
    • 2014 Sermon Series >
      • Real Church 2014
      • Real Lives 2014
    • 2013 Sermon Series >
      • Real God 2013
    • Sermon Archive From 2014 - 2017
  • Christianity 101