2 Corinthians 9:1-5

2 Corinthians 9:1-5 - Daily Devotion - 18 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 For it is not necessary for me to write you about this service to the saints 2 because I know your eagerness to help. I keep boasting to the Macedonians about this eagerness of yours, that Achaia has been ready to give since last year, and your zeal to participate has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready just as I kept telling them. 4 For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift and not as something you feel forced to do.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Dania Mourad

This passage sparked conviction within me as I reflected on our calling to be generous and how I show generosity as a follower of Christ. I am reminded of God and how he generously lavished his love upon us through his only Son’s death on the cross for rebels like you and me. How can I be generous like Christ as I continue my Christian walk? I can carefully consider how God has blessed me and use my strengths to help those in need, be generous in my tithings, serve others with my time and gifts, and ultimately use what I have for God. 

However, Paul says in verse 5 that we should not give grudgingly. Rather, we are called to be generous with how we give and serve, because all good things come from God. I think of times where I have limited my generosity for personal convenience, or even not given at all. That comes from the selfishness that is innate to my flesh. But this passage both encourages and challenges me to truthfully assess my attitude and the condition of my heart when I generously give as a follower of Christ. I strive to be a cheerful giver who does so willingly in light of what Christ has done for me. We see Christ’s generosity on the cross connect his people as the body of Christ and therefore bring about God’s glory. My prayer for myself and the church is that we continue to imitate Christ’s perfect example of generosity on the cross. May he give us the strength and wisdom to carry out this calling to ultimately bring him glory. I pray that God replenishes our giving so we are able to consistently live this out and become increasingly Christlike.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dania is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

2 Corinthians 8:16-24 - Daily Devotion - 17 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you, 17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, he is coming to you of his own accord. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel. 19 In addition, this brother has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help. 20 We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. 21 For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men. 22 And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you. 23 If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. 24 Therefore show them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Charis Ould

This year, I have had the privilege of leading the science faculty at the Christian group at my university. I really enjoyed connecting with the members of the faculty, making graphics for events, organising our getaway, etc. However, one thing I was terrible at was budgeting. The budget we made for our science faculty getaway did my head in. There were simply too many boxes and too many expenses to keep track of. Luckily, I had a co-leader, staff worker, and committee treasurer who arranged all of it! I trusted them, and it meant all I had to do was sign my name on the reimbursement forms.

Today’s passage follows on from Paul’s thankfulness for the generous giving of the churches in Macedonia. An offering has been arranged and collected for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, and Paul has urged the Corinthian church to match the generosity of the Macedonians. Now Paul explains that Titus and another brother are going to accompany the offering to guard it on the journey to Jerusalem. Paul wants this effort to be one not only of generosity but also of integrity, that what is right before the Lord is also right before men (v21). If people can’t trust where their giving is going, that is a big problem. But Paul says that this brother has been tested many times, and the Corinthian Christians can have confidence in him. They take these precautions so that they can be above reproach. Paul knows the work of the gospel can’t happen just with him. It is a team effort, and in all his letters he commends and lifts up those who have helped him in this work.

Have you ever been asked to donate to a charity, and they are super vague about where the money is going? I definitely have, especially around Christmas. I am encouraged by the transparency of our church that we get reports and updates, so we can know where the money we give to the work of the gospel is going.

I am thankful that God has provided people who work together for the gospel with integrity! Particularly for the many people in our church who use their different gifts to serve him. Pray that God would help us to be good stewards of these gifts, as we pray that those in authority would similarly be good stewards of people’s money.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charis is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 8:8-15

2 Corinthians 8:8-15 - Daily Devotion - 16 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

8 I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich. 10 So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give, 11 to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. 14 At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Simon Chow

Whenever I come across passages in the Bible on giving and generosity, my natural inclination is to skim through it and not give it too much thought. After all, the more I dwell on it, the more likely I am to feel as though I need to change, and nobody wants to be told they need to be more generous. Aren’t I generous enough as it is? But here in 2 Corinthians 8, we see what true generosity looks like: It looks like Jesus. Jesus put aside his heavenly glory to become a lowly man and died for us so that we might become rich spiritually and share in his heavenly glory. So if our goal is to be more like Christ, part of this means being generous. We also know that in Christ we have been blessed with an eternal inheritance, and this knowledge should free us up to be more generous with our earthly riches, since we know that these riches are temporary and that there is something far better for us in eternity.

It is reassuring to know that Paul does not command us to give so much that we suffer and are hard pressed (v13). However, that doesn’t take away the challenge to share generously with those in need. That challenge definitely doesn’t come naturally to most of us.

Personally, I have found that generosity is something that grows slowly and with practice. Even though I still have a lot of room to grow in this area, I have found that the more I give and the further I stretch myself to do this, the more I grow not just in generosity, but also in contentment and a reliance on God, who is the giver of all we have. Pray for God to grow you in eager willingness to give, knowing that our eternity is secure.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Simon is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 - Daily Devotion - 14 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, 2 that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. 3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, 4 begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the saints. 5 And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you—make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Jess Chow

When I read this passage, I must admit I wasn’t eagerly looking forward to reflecting deeply on it as I knew it would convict me in my giving. Yet the example of the Macedonians didn’t only make me feel guilty about my materialism, but also deeply encouraged by these eager brothers and sisters whose generosity was emboldened by the grace of God.

In our materialistic culture, where money buys happiness, it might seem impossible to imagine extreme poverty existing alongside abundant joy. However, the Macedonian Christians – who had so little to give materially – were begging Paul for the blessing of giving generously to the ‘saints’ (that is, to the poor among the Christian church in Jerusalem: see Romans 15:26). This radical giving makes no worldly sense, but it makes complete sense through the lens of the gospel.

The example of the Macedonians reminds me of John Wesley, a theologian in the 1700s. In one year, he recorded his income as £30, and his living expenses £28, so he had £2 to give away. The next year his income doubled to £60, but his living expenses remained at £28, so he could give the remaining £32 away. He continued this pattern throughout his life; even when his income rose into thousands of pounds, he gave all except his living expenses. He died with no more than a few coins, but he blessed the fellowship of the saints enormously in his lifetime. He knew that no money would go with him when he went to be with the Lord! The world might see it as a waste of wealth, but his reward is rich in heaven.

While I’m certainly not as radical as Wesley, the principle has stuck with me: As Christians, if our income increases, our standard of giving should increase, not our standard of living. If we were honest with ourselves, most of us could live with a lot less. After all, if I’m just giving leftovers after I’ve satisfied all my needs, wants, and some extra for long-term saving goals, it’s not really a sacrifice. It’s worth pausing to consider whether the money we’ve earned this year has served us alone, or if our giving has matched this income.

Ultimately, the real issue isn’t about money at all. It’s about our relationship with the Lord. The Macedonians first gave themselves to the Lord and then to Paul and the church financially. If I give myself to the Lord, entrusting myself to His sacrificial generosity to me in Jesus, then my material giving will be a natural overflow of His work in me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jess is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

2 Corinthians 7:11-16

2 Corinthians 7:11-16 - Daily Devotion - 13 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

11 For see what this very thing, this sadness as God intended, has produced in you: what eagerness, what defense of yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what deep concern, what punishment! In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So then, even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong or on account of the one who was wronged, but to reveal to you your eagerness on our behalf before God. 13 Therefore we have been encouraged. And in addition to our own encouragement, we rejoiced even more at the joy of Titus because all of you have refreshed his spirit. 14 For if I have boasted to him about anything concerning you, I have not been embarrassed by you, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus about you has proved true as well. 15 And his affection for you is much greater when he remembers the obedience of you all, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice because in everything I am fully confident in you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Susan Duc

Whether an apology achieves its purpose in repairing the relationship depends on what it reveals of the speaker’s heart. “I said I was sorry, what more do you want from me?” won’t be effective. “I’m sorry for what I’ve done, how can I make it up to you?” is much better, because it’s clear that the person is truly sorry and eager to change, to make amends for their wrongdoing.

The letter of 2 Corinthians reflects Paul’s rocky relationship with the church in Corinth. Like a parent, Paul has had to discipline the church, and they did not always welcome it. In fact, Paul’s last visit had been so painful that he chose to send Titus with a further letter, to rebuke the Corinthians and to urge them to punish a wrongdoer in their midst (2:1-4). Would the church accept Paul’s correction, and act against the wrongdoer who had been undermining Paul’s authority among them?

Thankfully, Titus was able to report that the Corinthians responded to Paul’s rebuke with ‘sadness as God intended’ (v11). The church expressed its genuine repentance in its eagerness to address the wrong, their indignation at the wrongdoer, and their longing to restore their relationship with Paul.

God had worked powerfully by his Spirit to soften the hard hearts of his people, to the joy and encouragement of his servant Paul (v16). Paul’s bold speech had produced in the church a godly sorrow for its sin, expressed in their obedience to his authority. By obeying Paul’s authority as an apostle, they were obeying Christ’s authority.

What is our posture when we receive a rebuke from a brother or sister in Christ? Do you tend to offer a token apology which lacks any real desire to change and to repair broken relationships? That may be a sign of a hard heart. Let’s commit instead to showing the same godly sorrow and genuine repentance as the Corinthians showed, with a real desire to make amends.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan is our Women and children’s minister.

2 Corinthians 7:5-10

2 Corinthians 7:5-10 - Daily Devotion - 12 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our body had no rest at all, but we were troubled in every way—struggles from the outside, fears from within. 6 But God, who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 7 We were encouraged not only by his arrival, but also by the encouragement you gave him, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your deep concern for me, so that I rejoiced more than ever. 8 For even if I made you sad by my letter, I do not regret having written it (even though I did regret it, for I see that my letter made you sad, though only for a short time). 9 Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us. 10 For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Jennie Vu

⬅️ Looking back at this passage, I see that Paul must have rebuked the Corinthians in a way that led them to repentance. I also notice Paul's deep concern for the people there, as he was troubled in every way. His rebuke highlights that caring for the people we love sometimes requires speaking hard truths. Personally, I am not confrontational, and perhaps I am not as convicted as Paul to challenge another brother or sister for the sake of the gospel. Paul was deeply hurt by their initial response to him but still found joy in the fact that it led to their repentance. In turn, the Macedonian believers encouraged Paul, reassuring him that his rebuke was not in vain. This interaction between Paul and the Macedonian church paints a beautiful picture of how sadness, concern, and joy all come together as I walk this Christian life with my St Barnabas family.

⬆️ Where I see God in this passage is in how His word brings us together. The way God softened the hearts of the Macedonians and led them to repentance shows me that God uses us – human vessels – to carry His word to encourage, challenge, and edify His people. I am thankful for the power of the Bible, though I am sometimes saddened that I do not always fully embrace its power. I pray that we can all use biblical truths to challenge and spur each other on, especially when times are tough and we don't want to hear the hard truths. Even when these truths make us sad, we should be moved to come to Him in repentance.

⬇️ Reflecting on how this passage impacts us today, I am grateful that God has placed us in a church with sound teaching, faithful teachers, and ministers who are dedicated to God's word. Just as God encouraged Paul through the people of Macedonia, we too experience encouragement within our church community. I pray that I can be like the Macedonians – able to accept rebuke with an open heart, ride through the waves of sadness, and ultimately overcome them with waves of joy, knowing that God has placed me in a church with people who genuinely care about my Christian walk.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennie is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

2 Corinthians 7:1-4

2 Corinthians 7:1-4 - Daily Devotion - 11 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one; we have ruined no one; we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I told you before that you are in our hearts so that we die together and live together with you.

4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride on your behalf. I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in the midst of all our suffering.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Rebecca Lin

When I first read verse 1, where Paul urges us to “cleanse ourselves” in order to “accomplish holiness”, my gut instinct was that it seems contradictory to what I know about the Bible’s teachings about our salvation. But as I read deeper, this passage became a wonderful reminder of some truths that we learned about in our church’s holiness series from earlier this year.

Firstly, before even getting to this command, Paul tells us the reason for the command with the words “since we have these promises”. This refers to the promises at the end of chapter 6 – the precious promises of closeness with God and being made to be his children. It confirms that we have already been delivered from our sin and brought close to God.

Since the particular context of Paul bringing up these promises was in relation to the Corinthians’ struggle with idols, Paul’s command to “cleanse ourselves” is a reminder to run from idols and things that take our attention away from God, and instead devote ourselves fully to God. That means we can “accomplish holiness” by devoting ourselves to God, because Christ has already brought us near to him.

I also love how in verses 2-4, Paul reminds us of how Christians strive to do this in community and are concerned for the holiness of the whole church, with encouragement to the Corinthians of unity, joy and love.

As I reflect on how I can continue to devote myself to God each day, some things that come to mind are making sure I listen to daily devotions before anything else on my way to work, looking for opportunities to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ and being more intentional with prayer.

How might you continue to devote yourself to God today?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 6:11-18

2 Corinthians 6:11-18 - Daily Devotion - 10 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide to you. 12 Our affection for you is not restricted, but you are restricted in your affections for us. 13 Now as a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts to us also.

14 Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, “I will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore “come out from their midst, and be separate,” says the Lord, “and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the All-Powerful Lord.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Mercy Saw

This passage reminds me of our focus on holiness throughout this year. Before Paul cautions the Corinthians, he reminds them that he cares deeply for them. His exhortation to holiness flows out of his love for them, and holiness is always a response to God’s grace shown to us.

Verse 14 is often used to discourage intimate relationships like marriage between Christians and non-Christians. But reading the verse in context, it is a broader call for Christians to be holy. In verses 16-18, Paul draws on the Old Testament image of God’s people in exile in Babylon being called to leave – not just to come out from Babylon physically, but to leave behind the ungodly, worldly life of Babylon, to be God’s distinct people. Christian believers have the same high calling. We have been made the ‘temple of the living God’ (v16), so God calls us to separate from any unclean thing. It's humbling that the 'All-Powerful Lord' himself would choose us to be his sons and daughters. Paul reminds the Corinthians to live out that reality of who they now are – people of righteousness, of light, and belonging to Christ.

I find it hard to be ‘in the world but not of the world’ – to find the balance between being distinct and separate from sin, and still engaging with non-Christian friends and colleagues. As much as I’d wish otherwise, there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ rule with such relationships. It requires ongoing prayer and discernment, including inviting wisdom from other Christians. One helpful guide may be to consider the NIV’s translation of ‘partners’ in verse 14 as ‘yoked together with unbelievers.’ It’s the image of two oxen joined together at the neck and moving in the same direction. A question I’ve often asked myself is whether the relationships I’ve formed are ones where I am leading them towards Christ, or whether I’m being pulled the other way towards sin. There have been moments where I’ve chosen to pull back from friendships when I’ve noticed myself being overly influenced by worldly values or desensitised and drawn towards sin. Sometimes making that decision may even have financial consequences, if we realise a business partnership will make us compromise our obedience to Christ.

Finally, holiness is a team effort. As God’s people, let’s keep reminding each other to grow to be who we are – the holy temple of the living God.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mercy is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 - Daily Devotion - 9 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

3 We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry. 4 But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger, 6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, 7 by truthful teaching, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left, 8 through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet—see!—we continue to live; as those who are scourged and yet not executed; 10 as sorrowful, but always rejoicing; as poor, but making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

The ministry of Paul and Timothy was remarkable, as were the ministries of others like Barnabas and Silas. They travelled through many countries as they preached the gospel. They started and grew churches in many cities. They were imprisoned, beaten, endured hardships, sleepless nights, and much more, all in the pursuit of having Jesus be made known to all. And yet, despite all of this, there were people who doubted them and tried to discredit their ministry. Their response was to press on undeterred, through both slander and praise – “as sorrowful, but always rejoicing … as having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (v10).

This passage makes me reflect on those who have made a commitment to full or part-time ministry, particularly those in our church’s ministry team: Stephen, Gus, James, Vinno, and Susan. It makes me wonder how many times they have had to endure hardships in the pursuit of making Jesus be made known to all. I wonder how many times they’ve had to work through someone trying to discredit their ministry. I find it hard enough living faithfully as a Christian in this world. Taking on the responsibility to preach the gospel and shepherd a congregation full-time must be harder still.

So my response to today’s passage is to pray. Pray for our church ministry team. Praise God for their commitment to faithfulness to the Lord Jesus. Pray for wisdom and endurance as they seek to press on in preaching the gospel to all. Pray for protection from the evil one. Ask God how you can be loving our ministry team practically as they shepherd us as a congregation. And finally, pray in thankfulness to God, for His great provision to us, that we may all be united as one in the Lord Jesus Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 - Daily Devotion - 7 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tina Bogg

This passage follows on from 2 Corinthians 5:20 where Paul talks about himself, and other believers, as ambassadors for Christ; representatives for our King. Here he also calls us fellow workers with God – doing His work alongside Him. Part of that work is telling people who haven’t heard about Jesus the good news of salvation by God’s grace. Part of it is also speaking to those who might say they are Christians, but who are trusting in their own good works – that would be receiving the grace of God in vain (v1).

As Christmas draws near and there are events to invite friends and family to, this passage reminds me both of the urgency of inviting – “now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation” (v2, quoting from Isaiah 49:8) – and also the privilege of inviting – we are invited to work with God in His work. We’re not just bothering people with another social obligation or trying to prove that we have friends by getting people to come along. We’re offering them a chance to come and hear about Jesus – about how their lives can be transformed and they can receive forgiveness and eternal life!

I have to admit, I often see Christmas as a joyful but stressful and somewhat exhausting time: extra social activities and gatherings, big meals to plan and cook, so many presents to think of and buy, and chaos at the shops. All good things, but just so busy.

As we remember Jesus’ first coming and look forward to his second coming this Christmas, this passage reminds me that God calls us to work with him. That might include the work of loving others through hospitality, thoughtful gifts and intentional conversations. Whatever the particular way, he calls us to be a part of the work of nudging and encouraging others in a journey towards faith in Jesus. He has a plan for his world and for people he has put in your life, so pray with me that you can have salty, Christ-filled conversations this busy season as you meet, invite and love whoever God has put before you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21

2 Corinthians 5:19-21 - Daily Devotion - 6 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

19 In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!” 21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ken Ip

Because I grew up in a Catholic school, for me the word “reconciliation” always brings back memories of the confession booth. I would confess my sins to the priest and then rattle off some Hail Marys to be forgiven by God … or at least, that’s what I thought. But today’s passage reminds me that reconciliation is much deeper and more personal than that. Paul talks about God taking all the initiative to fix our broken relationship with Him. By sending Christ to suffer and die for us, He no longer holds our sins against us. This reminds me that forgiveness isn’t something I can “earn”; it’s all about Christ’s righteousness covering me completely.

It's humbling and a bit intimidating to think of myself as an “ambassador for Christ” (v.20). That’s a big title to live up to! But God knew what he was doing when he called us to represent this message of reconciliation. How am I showing God’s love in my daily interactions? Am I really living out forgiveness and grace, especially in how I treat others? Paul’s words remind me that it’s both a privilege and a responsibility to live in a way that reflects the forgiveness I've received.

Today, let’s take a moment to reflect on what it means to be reconciled with God and live as ambassadors of that message. Is there anyone we need to make things right with? Where do we need God’s grace to help us show kindness or forgive others? Let’s pray that we would live out His grace, remembering that we’re made righteous not by what we do, but through Christ alone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ken is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 5:16-18

2 Corinthians 5:16-18 - Daily Devotion - 5 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

16 So then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know him in that way any longer. 17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away —look, what is new has come! 18 And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Sam Wee

Even though I've been a Christian for more than half of my life now, there are still so many times that I don't feel like I have truly “died to myself.” I struggle daily with sin and selfishness; I do what I want to do and don't do what God wants me to do. I suspect that many of you also might feel like this at times.

However, this feeling does not reflect God's truth about His saved people at all. Yes, we will always be in a lifelong battle with sin, but thanks be to God that He, through Christ, reconciled us to Himself and made us new creations! Notice how there are no caveats or exclusions here from Paul. If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. If you have put your faith in God and believe that Christ died and rose again, you are a new creation – the old has gone and the new has come. Even when you don’t feel like it’s true, God’s word guarantees that it really is.

Brothers and sisters, take heart in this truth when Satan lies to you and tells you that you are not truly God's because you are not without sin. Know that God has indeed reconciled you through Christ and then do your best, with His Spirit’s help, to die to yourself every day and live for Him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sam is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 5:11-15

2 Corinthians 5:11-15 - Daily Devotion - 4 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

‏11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people, but we are well known to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who take pride in outward appearance and not in what is in the heart. 13 For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Rodney Clarke

In today’s passage, Paul is imploring the Corinthians to follow his example. He's not doing it to big-note himself, he is doing it so they can be discerning and spot the false teachers who are all flash and no substance. He wants them to see what an excellent and valuable ministry looks like, what it truly means to be an ambassador for Christ.

An ambassador is essentially a representative of someone greater. In this case, it’s being a representative of the Lord Jesus, which means rightly presenting the gospel of Christ to others and trying to persuade them. Paul implores the Corinthian Christians to be good representatives of Christ and his gospel.

Paul alludes to being “crazy” for preaching the gospel of Christ. But he doesn’t see that as a negative or something that disqualifies him. He actually lists it as a credential. He is reminding them what he has given up, in terms of his social standing and worldly things, for Christ and his gospel – though he also says that if he is of right mind, it is for their benefit. Paul understands the weighty responsibility that he has been given to preach about Christ. Because of that, he emphasises both what Christ has done for them, and what Christ has called them out of and called them for. That is, Christ died for them, and now calls them to put off their old life and move forward into a new life in Him.

Sometimes we get blinded and distracted by the things of this world and don't turn our eyes towards Jesus. We need to cast off our old way of thinking and be transformed by the renewal of our minds – to live not for ourselves but for Christ. We have been given a great responsibility as ambassadors for Christ. We should not take that calling lightly but consider it the highest cause imaginable. God’s plan of rescue is found in Jesus and this should be paramount in our thinking, particularly in terms of the people who God has placed in our lives. It’s really pretty simple: it’s about putting other people first in the hope that they may be saved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rodney is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 - Daily Devotion - 3 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

6 Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we live by faith, not by sight. 8 Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Herman Tu

When I read this passage, there are two polarising images of existence in the present and coming age:

To be or not to be at Home with the Lord. “That is the question,” as Hamlet might say.

I often yearn to be at Home with the Lord. When I survey the world around us, there is death. There is destruction and there is disconnection. Like Paul, I long for the day where all suffering and sadness are gone. I long to be clothed “with our heavenly dwelling” and stop groaning. I long to share in the Father’s love of His Son in the joy of His Holy Spirit.

But too often, I prefer to be away from the Lord; frozen by my own sin, snuggling in the drowsy complacency of safety and security that this world offers. There are so many earthly pleasures that promise to satisfy me that I fumble.

Which should I want: to be “alive here on earth” (v6) or “at home with the Lord” (v8)? That question is not simply a yes or no, but a both.

Paul tells us in verse 7: We live by faith, not by sight. The imagery of being at Home with the Lord is not just geographical, it is profoundly relational. One day we will be closer to him that we can possibly imagine; but for now, physically we are away from the Lord, and we relate to Him and to his coming day by faith.

Yet, the key thing is the truth of our relationship with God. Paul says, “Whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please him” (v9). We are called to think of our present existence in terms of that relationship; and the certainty of his Kingdom coming enables me and you to be courageous in the face of conflict and pain.

So, a heart check: How have you used your time to pursue living by faith not sight? How has this transformed the way you approach the matters of life, as you look forward to being at Home with the Lord?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Herman is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

2 Corinthians 5:1-5

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 - Daily Devotion - 2 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this earthly house we groan, because we desire to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed, after we have put on our heavenly house, we will not be found naked. 4 For we groan while we are in this tent, since we are weighed down, because we do not want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Linda Vu

In verse 1, Paul says our body is like a tent. Tents are good for camping but are terrible during harsh weather conditions like storms. Our earthly bodies have an expiry date, they will eventually wear out and be destroyed, but Paul compares our resurrection bodies to stable and secure houses. God will replace these failing bodies with something eternal and everlasting in heaven.

In verses 2 and 3 Paul talks about wanting to be clothed and not found naked when we appear before God. That reminded me how sin separates everything from God, like it did for Adam and Eve when they sinned and realised they were naked before him. But through faith in Christ, God clothes us with his righteousness. Christ’s death removes our sin and reconciles us to God.

In verse 4 Paul says, “For we groan while we are in this tent.” Many elderly patients I have experienced at work live with chronic pain and are often groaning. But those who are believers in Christ look forward with hope to their new bodies, to the time in heaven when there will be no more pain. A non-believer has no hope – they may think that death will bring them comfort, but it will not. The pain of judgement will be far worse than what they experience now.

Finally in verse 5, Paul says that God is the one who “prepared us for this very purpose.” As God carries us through challenges of life, he is preparing us for something better than we have ever experienced. Our guarantee of that is the Holy Spirit whom God has given us – the Teacher, the Helper, the One who points us to Christ and hope.

This life will not last forever, but the life we have in Christ will. He is the One who will take our mortal bodies and swallow them up with His own life.

Thank God for the guaranteed eternal life we have in Christ, and for the Holy Spirit who guides us. Pray that we can be bold and have the courage to share the gospel with people who are not saved so that they can share our hope.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Daily Devotion - 30 November 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

16 Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison 18 because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Caleb Knight

Sometimes life just feels like a hard slog. Pressures, stresses, problems, concerns, issues, and responsibilities all just pile up. We follow a victorious and glorious risen Lord! And yet, my life doesn’t always feel all that victorious or glorious. And I’m guessing that I’m not the only one.

Now, my natural instinct when life is hard is to complain, to feel sorry for myself or sometimes even to feel proud of how well I’m doing amidst the difficulty. But none of these are the responses that Paul encourages in these verses.

When we seem to be outwardly wasting away (we’re losing our health, our money, our friends, etc.), Paul says to remember that inwardly, we are being renewed in the likeness of our saviour. I find this a really helpful corrective. Rather than focusing on the earthly, outward things that waste away, I can look to the person the Holy Spirit is making me into every day.

Similarly, when life is full of trouble, I need to remember the eternal glory that is to come! Reading this verse, I pictured a see-saw with a little pebble on one end and a mountain being dropped on the other end. When my troubles (which seem big, difficult and hard to fix) are compared to the eternal glory that is waiting for me, there is no comparison. People say nothing lasts forever but that’s not technically true. Difficulty in life doesn’t last forever, but the glory awaiting Christians does.

And so, I need to look at the invisible. Not on the troubles of life that are easy to see, but in the midst of the troubles, the pain and grief and difficulty, look to the future – to the eternal glory that is ours in Christ. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Caleb is one of our Student Ministers.

2 Corinthians 4:13-15

2 Corinthians 4:13-15 - Daily Devotion - 29 November 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

13 But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, “I believed; therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak. 14 We do so because we know that the one who raised up Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence. 15 For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Lachlan Shead

In the cross of Jesus, hope and suffering meet. But sometimes, when I'm suffering for the gospel, hope can feel pretty distant! Today's passage highlights that struggle for me, but it also offers answers and comfort.

Yesterday we heard about Paul's weakness and intense suffering. He was beaten and persecuted for preaching the gospel. But today we see that Paul still speaks up, despite knowing the cost. Paul tells us why he does this: it's because of his faith.

But I'm more interested in how he manages to press on speaking about Christ. Does Paul have a superpower? Is he just in denial about his suffering?

The answer comes in verse 13, where Paul quotes Psalm 116. It's a song about God's rescue from trouble. Verses 3 to 6 of the Psalm go like this:

"The cords of death entangled me,
 the anguish of the grave came over me;
 I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “Lord, save me!"

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
 our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me."

By quoting this psalm of David, Paul makes it clear that he shares David’s total dependence on God for rescue. He's still a jar of clay, and his suffering is deep.

How, then, does Paul keep on speaking up? It's by having a hope that's even deeper than his suffering. We see this in verse 14 of today's passage: just as Jesus rose from the dead, Paul looks forward to eternal life with him. And we share that hope!

Take some time now to thank God for your hope in Christ. Pray for the help to speak up about your faith today. And if you fear opposition, pray: "Lord, save me!" You can expect a “yes” in the risen Lord Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lachlan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 - Daily Devotion - 28 November 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed, 10 always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body. 11 For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body. 12 As a result, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

I regularly receive a newsletter from an organisation called Voice of the Martyrs. I recall reading not too long ago a story about an Indian pastor, who was thrown into jail, persecuted for his faith, tortured, and kept locked up for the simple crime of preaching the gospel about the Lord Jesus Christ.  In that story, he recounts all the various ways in which, in spite of his imprisonment, he continued to press on in sharing the gospel, talking with inmates and prison guards, seeing fruit from his labour as people would eventually come to know the Lord through the many years of his imprisonment. Today’s passage reminds me of his story.

We do not have a treasure that is to be locked away in a safe vault, away from the world, kept from prying eyes. Instead, we have this treasure in clay jars – that is, in us! We are weak, fragile, and breakable like clay jars, but God has chosen to use us as his instruments to present the glorious news about Jesus to others – that’s the treasure! We are to reflect this treasure outwards to the world – and because we’re weak and breakable, it will be clear to everyone that the treasure really is Jesus, not us.

So for those of us who are experiencing trouble on every side, experiencing persecution, experiencing the feeling of being knocked down, today’s passage lets you know that: even though death might be at work in you, the life of Jesus may just be being made visible in you. So as you show and share Jesus, people around you will know that the extraordinary power comes not from you, but from God himself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 - Daily Devotion - 27 November 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged. 2 But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Nathan Ting

I really enjoy baking. Over the course of many attempts and failures, I’ve come to realise that baking usually requires a fair bit of precision – and usually, I find myself following my own intuition rather than the recipe. For example, baking soda and sugar are great ingredients to use, but adding too much of either one will take away from the intended product and the focus will instead be directed towards the disappointment of a failed recipe.

Even though baking and sharing Jesus are two very different things, in a sort of similar way, I’ve realised that when I share Jesus with the people in my life, I can sometimes end up adding too much of myself. I find myself trying to present the gospel in a way that I think would be most relatable or appealing to whoever I’m talking to. This might be in the form of a funny story that happened at church or about my own life as a Christian – and as well-intentioned as this may be, doing this too much shifts the focus onto me, rather than Jesus, where the focus should be.

Paul reminds us in verse 5 that we “do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.” That is, we are not the focus of the gospel, our Lord Jesus Christ is.

I feel slightly rebuked by this because I am certainly guilty of preaching myself sometimes. However, it is equally encouraging to be reminded in verse 1 that it is through God’s mercy – our awesome, sovereign and gracious God – that we share in the ministry of sharing Jesus with others. It is God in his grace and mercy by his Spirit who changes the hearts and minds of people. I don’t need to add any extra baking soda or sugar. All I need is to boldly, humbly and truthfully present the good news of Jesus and his death and resurrection.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nathan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 - Daily Devotion - 26 November 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we behave with great boldness, 13 and not like Moses who used to put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from staring at the result of the glory that was made ineffective. 14 But their minds were closed. For to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read. It has not been removed because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 But until this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds, 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Earlier on in this chapter, Paul affirms that through Christ, he has confidence towards God, and that the Corinthians are living proof that the ministry of the Spirit has been at work in them.

Today’s passage is a continuation of that theme. Paul compares the ministry of the gospel of Jesus with the ministry of Moses under the old covenant.  When Moses preached God’s word, both the message and Moses himself were veiled. Veiled towards a people whose minds were closed.  When Paul preached the news about Christ, both the message and the preacher are unveiled.  Unveiled because when people hear the gospel and turn to the Lord Jesus, the Spirit opens their minds to know God and his glory in Christ.  And unlike Moses, whose face was temporarily transformed to reflect the glory of God, those who are in Christ have now been transformed, and continue to be transformed, into the image of Christ himself, thereby reflecting the true glory of God to all.

I love how Paul describes this state of being in Christ as having ‘freedom’.  Freedom to access the Lord. Freedom to have unveiled fellowship with God himself.  Freedom to reflect the glory of the Lord to the world around us.  And all of this through the Spirit who is the Lord, and who is with us, and continues to transform us. 

If I could remember this reality, and have this truth dwell with me as I go about the business of doing life, then I feel like my words to people with veiled minds would not be so timid, and my words to people with unveiled minds would be more encouraging, all the more as I rest in the grace of being transformed to be more like Christ.  What might this freedom in Christ mean for you today?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.