The Unfolding Tapestry of God's Love

Introduction:

Good morning, beloved community. It's a joy to be here with you today as we delve into the rich tapestry of God's love. In our journey, we'll explore the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and reflect on the profound love our Creator has for each of us.

Opening Prayer:

Let's bow our heads and invite the Spirit of God to guide us as we embark on this journey of revelation and encouragement.

The Beginning of the Gospel

Mark 1:1–2 NKJV

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.”

As we open the pages of the Gospel according to Mark, we're greeted with a powerful proclamation: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."

He is referring rather to the death to sin that marks the beginning of the characteristic Christian life. It is the end of the reign of sin and beginning of the reign of grace (5:21)

Leon Morris

What is it about beginnings?

Hope and Anticipation:

Beginnings are infused with hope and anticipation. They represent a blank canvas, a chance to create, to dream, and to envision a better future. In the beginning, there's a sense of endless possibilities.

Our Christian hope is just as good as Jesus Christ. Your anticipation for the future lives or dies with Jesus. If He is who He said He was, you can spread your wings and soar.4

A. W. Tozer

Renewal and Redemption:

Beginnings offer the opportunity for renewal and redemption. They provide a chance to leave behind the past, learn from experiences, and embrace a fresh start. Whether it's a new day, a new project, or a new chapter in life, beginnings hold the promise of transformation.

The heart of the gospel is redemption, and the essence of redemption is the substitionuary sacrifice of Christ.

Charles Spurgeon

Discovery and Exploration:

The beginning of any journey is a time of discovery and exploration. It's a phase where we uncover hidden truths, learn about ourselves and others, and venture into the unknown. Beginnings invite us to step into uncharted territories with curiosity and courage.

I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle’s takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It’s all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It’s all part of taking a chance and expanding man’s horizons. The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we’ll continue to follow them.

Ronald Reagan

Creation and Genesis:

Beginnings mark the act of creation. From the creation of the universe to the inception of a simple idea, every significant accomplishment starts with a beginning. It's a reminder of the creative force that resides within us and the world around us. It is a reminder of the genisis of our world and the world to come.

Genesis 1:1 NLT

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis has Adam and Eve placed in a lush garden, Eden. Because of the availability of food for Adam and Eve, the creation must have begun in the harvest season—and so the earliest Hebrew calendar began the year in the harvest season.

Michael S. Heiser

Setting Foundations:

In the beginning, foundations are laid. Whether it's the foundation of a building, a relationship, or a personal goal, the start is crucial. It establishes the groundwork for what follows, shaping the trajectory of our endeavors.

Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being humble. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.

Augustine of Hippo

Opportunity for Reflection:

Beginnings often prompt reflection. They encourage us to look back on where we've been, assess our current position, and consider where we want to go. Reflecting on beginnings allows for a deeper understanding of our values, desires, and aspirations. The Holy Spirit speaks into our lives as we seek God’s wisdom in our reflection.

How can you expect God to speak in that gentle and inward voice which melts the soul, when you are making so much noise with your rapid reflections? Be silent, and God will speak again.

François Fénelon

Cycles of Nature:

In the natural world, beginnings are evident in the changing seasons. The first light of dawn, the sprouting of seeds in spring, or the birth of a new creature—all signify the cyclical nature of life and the constant rhythm of beginnings and endings.

The Beauty of Genesis:

There's inherent beauty in the genesis of things. The initial spark, the first step, the opening chord—all possess a unique charm. Beginnings capture the essence of potential and lay the groundwork for the unfolding narrative.

In essence, beginnings invite us to embrace the journey, acknowledging the beauty, challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead. They remind us that, no matter where we find ourselves, each moment is a chance to start anew.

This verse lays the foundation for our exploration into the depths of God's redemptive love.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and they that lack the beginning have neither middle nor end.

John Bunyan

Section 1: The Heart of God's Love

Let's first focus on the heart of God's love as depicted in the Scriptures. In John 3:16, we see the sacrificial nature of God's love—a love that knows no bounds.

John 3:16 NLT

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

When evening comes, you will be examined in love. Learn to love as God desires to be loved and abandon your own ways of acting.

John of the Cross

Section 2: God's Unwavering Love

Turning to Romans 8:38-39

Romans 8:38–39 NLT

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

My Journey:

In the heart of the sunburned land, there lived a young wanderer who, like many, sought to script his own destiny. Through the early chapters of his life, he meandered through the arid plains of self-directed choices, oblivious to the divine tapestry woven above.

One day, at the crossroads of uncertainty, he stood, feeling the weight of emptiness and shadows. It was here that a whisper, soft as the rustle of eucalyptus leaves in the wind, reached his ears. The Spirit within him urged him to cast his gaze beyond the confines of his past and embrace a future painted with hues of purpose and meaning.

Fueled by newfound purpose, he embarked on a pilgrimage guided by the invisible hand of providence. His journey unfolded through the ancient landscapes, revealing chapters he could never have penned alone.

In the sacred halls of a church nestled in the heart of Victoria, he discovered a calling to leadership. His influence, like a river carving through the red earth, quenched the thirst of souls seeking spiritual sustenance. The notes of his music ministry echoed through the valleys, creating a symphony that resonated across the sunburned plains.

Driven by a thirst for wisdom and spiritual enlightenment, the wanderer sought refuge in the halls of Avondale University. There, the verses of academia harmonised with the melodies of faith, shaping the contours of his evolving narrative. His odyssey extended to the far reaches of Western Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, where he ministered and left imprints on the spiritual landscapes.

Yet, amid the excitement, shadows cast their fleeting presence. Hardships, like desert storms, swept through his journey, testing the mettle of his character and the fortitude of his spirit. With each trial, however, he unearthed pearls of resilience, woven into the fabric of his story.

As the wanderer stands on the precipice of the unknown, the parable unfolds. His story, like the constellations above, illuminates the transformative power of surrendering to a higher calling. The chapters remain open, inviting him to explore unwritten verses, promising a future guided by the celestial light that has faithfully accompanied him.

And so, in the vast expanse beneath the Southern Cross, the parable continues, a timeless tale of faith, resilience, and the boundless possibilities nestled within a life surrendered to the divine narrative.

Section 3: God's Purpose in Every Season

Moving on to Jeremiah 29:11 , we hear the comforting words showing us that our lives through every twist and turn, are intricately woven into God's grand design.

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Reflection:

Have you seen God working in you through your life?

Ask those in your congregation to share small parts of their experience with God.

The Bible is not primarily about man at all. Its subject is God … Its main theme is not human salvation, but the work of God vindicating his purposes and glorifying himself in a sinful and disordered cosmos.

J. I. Packer

Section 4: Your Worth in God's Eyes

Transitioning to the Psalms, specifically Psalm 139:13-16 , we're reminded that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator. Each of us is a unique thread in the grand tapestry of creation.

Psalm 139:13–16 NLT

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

That only is worth my having which I can have for ever. That only is worth my grasping which death cannot tear out of my hand.

Charles Spurgeon

Encouraging Testimony:

I invite one of your community members to share a testimony, highlighting the worth and purpose they've discovered in their journey.

Section 5: God's Mission for Every Season of Life

Now, let's explore the assurance that God still has a mission for each of us. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commissions us to go and make disciples, reminding us that He is with us always.

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

How can this be applied to us in the latter years of our lives in a retirement village?

Be a blessing to others everyday.

Be a good influence on those who come across our path each day.

Let Christ shine out of us… Abide daily in Him.

Speak when God gives you words to share.

Live like Jesus.

From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose; He lived to bless others.

Ellen Gould White

We can bless God by praising him, extolling him, desiring all honor for him, ascribing all good to him, magnifying and lauding his holy name. Blessing For Blessing, Volume 38, Sermon #2266 - Ephesians 1:3, 4

Charles Spurgeon

Empowering Word:

Receive a word of encouragement and empowerment, knowing that God's work in you is not finished. Philippians 1:6 assures us that He who began a good work in us will carry it to completion.

Philippians 1:6 NLT

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Closing Prayer:

As we conclude, let's lift our hearts in gratitude for the unfolding tapestry of God's love. May the assurance of His love, the recognition of our worth, and the anticipation of His ongoing mission be etched in our hearts.

Let's close our time together celebrating how God has used us and, expressing our gratitude for the boundless love of our heavenly Father that allows us to live in Him and for Him into eternity.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

“Look at others, and be distressed. Look at yourself, and be depressed. Look to God, and you’ll be blessed!”

Warren W. Wiersbe