Spirited Word
By God's Word proclaimed, the Holy Spirit works faith in God's grace in Jesus, when and where he pleases. Sermons by Pastor Adrian Kitson, Lutheran Church of Australia.
St Petri Lutheran Church, Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia.
www.stpetri.org.au
Spirited Word
Earthy Faith: Why Are We Here?
Why are we here? This is one of the fundamental questions of life. People seek purpose in many places - success, pleasure, relationships, or self-fulfilment. But for us as Christians, our purpose is given to us by God, not something we create for ourselves.
Today’s readings help us understand our purpose in the light of God’s actions, His call to not dwell in the past, and His promise of something new ahead. Isaiah 43:16-21 speaks to the people of Israel as they struggle in exile, reminding them that God is the One who makes a way through the wilderness.
Philippians 3:4-14 is Paul’s personal reflection on his journey of faith, abandoning his past achievements for the sake of knowing Christ. Together, these passages point us to God’s answer to our deepest question: We are here because God has called us to know Him, trust in Christ, and press on toward His eternal promises.
Paul Ridley