‘Knowing, Serving & Proclaiming Christ in the power of the Spirit to the glory of God.’ St. Peter’s South Tamworth St. Peter’s South Tamworth & All Saints Duri & All Saints Duri Bible Reading Judges 17 St Peters Church: [email protected] - sun@6 Carinya School Hall: sun@10 - sun@4 Online Sunday from 8.30am 20th September 2020 Homebrew religion Over the last term in the book of Judges we’ve observed a steady downward spiral for God’s people. Their leadership has declined, their allegiance to the Lord has all but stopped, and their way of life has become completely pagan. Today we get a snapshot of just how bad things had become as we begin down the home straight to the end of this sad period in Israel’s history. Micah was an Israelite from the hill country of Ephraim who was into homebrew religion. The vacuum of spiritual leadership in Israel meant people like him were simply making up their own way to worship God. Now Micah is not an impressive man: he steals from his mother, then gives the money back, not because he’s sorry, but to avoid a curse. Part of the money paid back is used to make an idol overlaid with silver, which Micah then places in his household shrine, along with all his other household god’s. He then makes an ephod and installs his son as a priest. The arrival of a wandering Levite priest comes as a bonus and Micah employs him to add some priestly clout. “Now I know that the Lord will be good to me since this Levite has become my priest.” (17:13) So, here is a religion that is strongly superstitious and based in fear. It’s essentially pagan religion that seeks to appease the deity to secure blessing. Most human religious expression is the same even today, but Christian faith is different. It is about relationship not religion. It’s about responding to the God who has rescued us by his grace us and set us apart to honour him as his people. It is God-centred not self-centred. It’s not about twisting God’s arm to make him do things for us, but about seeking to love and honour him because of what he has already done for us. It’s not about earning his favour but about living in the light of his favour according to his word. Well, back in Judges, Micah’s set up looks very religious but it’s basically DIY idolatry, which has nothing to do with worshipping the true and living God. And so, Micah the religious man, with no anchor in God’s word, leads his whole family into idolatry. Well, will this idolatrous religion work for Micah? The Danites had failed to take possession of land according to Judges 1 and were looking for a place in the promised land to call their own. They send out spies to check out the possibilities and on entering the hill country of Ephraim they come across Micah’s sweet little set up with his own Levite as priest. Having checked out how he got there and what he’s doing they decide it might be good to have a bit of religious certainty for their quest and so they say to him “Please inquire of God to learn whether our journey will be successful.” The priest answered them “Go in peace your journey has the Lord’s approval.” Now this interchange is dodgy from start to finish. What we have here is a tribe without inheritance, seeking guidance from a priest without God’s word. How dare the Levite priest presiding over idolatrous worship presume to speak on God’s behalf! He basically tells them what they want to hear to gain their favour. Encouraged by the Levite priest’s assurance the spies leave Micah’s household and come to the city of Laish where “the people were living in safety; peace and secure.” Realising that these people are defenceless they take it as confirmation that this is the land they should “conquer.” They return home and report the good news, then gather a force of 600 Danite men armed for battle. On the way to Laish they steal Micah’s Levite priest, his idol and his household god’s. The Levite priest is happy because he sees it as a promotion. Micah is unhappy, because his pagan religious security blanket has been whisked away, which shows his homebrew religion was completely ineffective all along. Nevertheless, the Danites took what Micah had made and his priest and went onto Laish against a people of peace and secure (Judges 19:27). They put them to the sword, burned the city, and set themselves up in the land where they…establish idolatry using Micah’s idol! Wrong, wrong, wrong! Everything about this is wrong! Stealing, cowardice, murder, and rank idolatry all show that Israel is in religious chaos. The final verse of the chapter underlines that what has happened here is a long way from the house of God in Shiloh, it’s about as far away as you can get from the worship God intended for his people in the land. All of this is a stern reminder of what happens when God’s people forget God’s word and do as they see fit (Judges 17:7, 18:1) What was true of Israel back then is just as true of the church today. Without solid spiritual leadership that is committed to the faithful teaching of God’s word the church will drift with the tide of the surrounding culture and end up in idolatry. Let us never forget that as Christians Jesus is our King: through his death we have the assurance of forgiveness, through his resurrection we have the certain hope of eternal life, and through his Spirit we have help to live as His people for His glory. May the Lord continue to bless us with godly leadership and strengthen us by his Spirit to always live in accordance with God’s word. With love in Christ, Rod Chiswell.
Transcript
‘Knowing, Serving & Proclaiming Christ in the power of the Spirit to the glory of God.’
St. Peter’s South Tamworth St. Peter’s South Tamworth & All Saints Duri& All Saints Duri
Bible Reading
Judges 17
St Peters Church: [email protected] - sun@6Carinya School Hall: sun@10 - sun@4 Online Sunday from 8.30am
20th September 2020
Homebrew religionOver the last term in the book of Judges we’ve observed a steady downward spiral for God’s people. Their leadership has declined, their allegiance to the Lord has all but stopped, and their
way of life has become completely pagan. Today we get a snapshot of just how bad things had become as we begin down the home straight to the end of this sad period in Israel’s history.
Micah was an Israelite from the hill country of Ephraim who was into homebrew religion.The vacuum of spiritual leadership in Israel meant people like him were simply making up their own way to worship God. Now Micah is not an impressive man: he steals from his mother, then gives the money back, not because he’s sorry, but to avoid a curse. Part of the money paid back is used to make an idol overlaid with silver, which Micah then places in his household shrine, along with all his other household god’s. He then makes an ephod and installs his son as a priest. The arrival of a wandering Levite priest comes as a bonus and Micah employs him to add some priestly clout. “Now I know that the Lord will be good to me since this Levite has become my priest.” (17:13) So, here is a religion that is strongly superstitious and based in fear. It’s essentially pagan religion that seeks to appease the deity to secure blessing. Most human religious expression is the same even today, but Christian faith is different. It is about relationship not religion. It’s about responding to the God who has rescued us by his grace us and set us apart to honour him as his people. It is God-centred not self-centred. It’s not about twisting God’s arm to make him do things for us, but about seeking to love and honour him because of what he has already done for us. It’s not about earning his favour but about living in the light of his favour according to his word. Well, back in Judges, Micah’s set up looks very religious but it’s basically DIY idolatry, which has nothing to do with worshipping the true and living God. And so, Micah the religious man, with no anchor in God’s word, leads his whole family into idolatry. Well, will this idolatrous religion work for Micah?
The Danites had failed to take possession of land according to Judges 1 and were looking for a place in the promised land to call their own. They send out spies to check out the possibilities and on entering the hill country of Ephraim they come across Micah’s sweet little set up with his own Levite as priest. Having checked out how he got there and what he’s doing they decide it might be good to have a bit of religious certainty for their quest and so they say to him “Please inquire of God to learn whether our journey will be successful.” The priest answered them “Go in peace your journey has the Lord’s approval.” Now this interchange is dodgy from start to finish. What we have here is a tribe without inheritance, seeking guidance from a priest without God’s word. How dare the Levite priest presiding over idolatrous worship presume to speak on God’s behalf! He basically tells them what they want to hear to gain their favour.
Encouraged by the Levite priest’s assurance the spies leave Micah’s household and come to the city of Laish where “the people were living in safety; peace and secure.” Realising that these people are defenceless they take it as confirmation that this is the land they should “conquer.” They return home and report the good news, then gather a force of 600 Danite men armed for battle. On the way to Laish they steal Micah’s Levite priest, his idol and his household god’s. The Levite priest is happy because he sees it as a promotion. Micah is unhappy, because his pagan religious security blanket has been whisked away, which shows his homebrew religion was completely ineffective all along. Nevertheless, the Danites took what Micah had made and his priest and went onto Laish against a people of peace and secure (Judges 19:27). They put them to the sword, burned the city, and set themselves up in the land where they…establish idolatry using Micah’s idol! Wrong, wrong, wrong! Everything about this is wrong! Stealing, cowardice, murder, and rank idolatry all show that Israel is in religious chaos. The final verse of the chapter underlines that what has happened here is a long way from the house of God in Shiloh, it’s about as far away as you can get from the worship God intended for his people in the land.
All of this is a stern reminder of what happens when God’s people forget God’s word and do as they see fit (Judges 17:7, 18:1) What was true of Israel back then is just as true of the church today. Without solid spiritual leadership that is committed to the faithful teaching of God’s word the church will drift with the tide of the surrounding culture and end up in idolatry. Let us never forget that as Christians Jesus is our King: through his death we have the assurance of forgiveness, through his resurrection we have the certain hope of eternal life, and through his Spirit we have help to live as His people for His glory. May the Lord continue to bless us with godly leadership and strengthen us by his Spirit to always live in accordance with God’s word. With love in Christ, Rod Chiswell.
Mission Prayer Fellowship (MPF)Join in prayer for local outreach and our overseas ministry partners. All welcome! When: 4-5pm, Monday 28th SeptWhere: St Peters chapel.
September is BCA Money Box Opening TimePlease hand your boxes to either Margaret Martin or Margaret Marsh at 8.30 am service or drop them into office. BCA has been supporting our Parish over many years by way of fundingto assist with staff training and outreach. We look forward to their continued support.
Pack a Box withOperation Christmas ChildBoxes are available in the office and at the back of St Peter’s Chapel.How wonderful it is that a child understands that they are loved by God. Packing and
sending a box for a child is a simple way to share Jesus.
Connect with St Peter’sScan this QR Code to the left with your phone’s camera, open the link to send us questions, feedback, prayer requests etc. Or click here.
Face MasksMasks are strongly recommended at all our church services as we show Christ-like love to help protect one another.
St Peter’s Youth25th Sept last night for term 3. See you again after the holidays. Friday Nights - Junior 5:30pm, Senior 7:30pm. Check our facebook page ‘St Peters Youth’ or Instagram ‘stpetersyouthtamworth.’
Give to the Uganda AppealRegular support til Christmas is needed.
Judges SeriesOnly a few weeks left in our series in Judges. Let us know what you have learned, enjoyed, or found interesting. Use the connect card via QR code or text us!
How to give to missions:
1. Direct Deposit or Internet Banking to:Westpac Bank Tamworth. Acc name: St Peter’s Trust AccountBSB 732-621. Acc # 07 0873. Reference: specify a mission/missionary 2. Use the mission side of the envelope and write on it the name of the mission/missionary you want to support. Unless specified in writing, donations will go into unspecified receipts and be distributed proportionally across the missions targets.
Pray for our Ministry Partners...
Almighty and eternal God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the church is governed and sanctified: recieve our prayer which we offer before you for the many different members of your holy Church; that every one of them in his vocation and ministry may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Katherine and Kimsoeun SeatKhemrin and KetyaSiem Riep, Cambodia
- Currently there are about 13 boys from our area who are spending each day training and/or playing with Way of Life church soccer team. We recently had them over to stay for the weekend where they heard the gospel. Pray that the seeds of the gospel will take root.
- We can meet in a group of 10 or less for church. So Soeun leads a meeting each Sunday morning at home. Zoom meetings are also happening but most people don’t have the technology to access a zoom meeting.
- Pray for our young church unable to access good teaching, fellowship or encouragement. Soeun spends a lot of time on the phone ministering to people as best he can.
- Give thanks our application to join Interserve is progressing despite all the difficulties of this season.
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For online banking details please note information to the right on this page. Arrangements for those giving by envelope:
• They can be dropped to the church office. • Please contact the office if you would like someone to collect your offfertory.
1. Direct Deposit or Internet Banking to:Westpac Bank Tamworth.Acc name: St Peters General AccountBSB 032-621Acc # 810 168 Reference: Giving/Offering
2. Giving Envelopes Sets of envelopes for anonymous giving are available at the office.
Giving at St Peter’sGiving at St Peter’sOffertory Boxes availble at all servicesBoth at St Peter’s and Carinya hall, will be an offertory box available for your giving.
**Alice 1,700 571 34%Bible Society 3,500 200 6%Bush Church Aid 4,000 278 7%CMS - B & L Hayes 3,000 200 7%CMS - General 14,000 2,555 18%CMS - Law,Gillian 1,700 410 24%CMS - A & M Newman 3,000 290 10%Prison Fellowship 1,500 200 13%**Robyn 1,700 200 12%Scripture Union 3,000 200 7%**Seat K&K 3,000 460 15%SIMAID Brian & Jen NEAl 3,000 200 7%Uganda - North Kigesi Dioc. 2,000 325 16%**Wycliffe - K & C Franklin 3,000 190 6%**Wycliffe - R & M Love 3,000 687 23%**YWAM J & J George 3,000 266 9%
