Category: Easter


Where is Australian society heading?

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May 22, 2011

This year has been an extraordinary year. It’s far from over, but already we have seen natural disasters of enormous scope and severity, wars and revolutions we could never have predicted, political tension and change here and abroad.

On the moral front there are profound concerns by people of faith over proposals to redefine marriage, concerns shared by others who are beginning to realise just what will be lost if we lose the current understanding of marriage to the same sex agenda.

A recent survey found that four million Australians consume alcohol in order to get drunk. Woolworths owns more poker machines than the Adelaide casino. The Victorian police commissioner says parenting has become a lost skill.

Where is Australian society heading? How is it with you and your family? This Easter weekend, take time to pause and reflect on the challenges and opportunities you face, and with God’s help determine to make a difference in your world. Happy Easter!

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 24 April 2011.

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The evidence of Easter

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May 22, 2011

Tomorrow Australians celebrate ANZAC Day, but today is an even more significant day, especially for Christians: it’s Easter Sunday – the day on which, for more than 2,000 years, followers of Jesus Christ have celebrated his resurrection from among the dead, and the vindication of all his claims, and the guarantee of all his promises.

Many of us are familiar with the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus, narrated by the Four Gospels in the Bible, and now brought to the screen in blockbuster movies. In fact, we’re so familiar with the story of Easter that we have difficulty appreciating just how awesome those events actually were.

The first followers of Jesus did not easily reach the conclusion that their dead leader had risen to life after such a shocking death. When Mary saw the empty tomb, she thought the body had been moved. Peter and the other disciples saw the evidence, and believed, but not with complete understanding.

Two thousand years later, people are still weighing the evidence, and putting their trust in Jesus, the way to God, the hope of the world.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 24 April 2011.

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Easter offers life and hope

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May 22, 2011

At dawn this morning, Christians across Australia and around the world will be gathering in groups large and small to see the sun rise, and join together in prayer and song and affirmation, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and expressing gratitude to God for their invitation to participate in the life and love of God through a spiritual connection with God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

I wasn’t present at an Easter dawn service this year, but at 9.00am sharp this morning, I was with my family, deep underground in the Cathedral Chamber of the Lucas Cave at Jenolan Caves, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, sharing in an awesome non-denominational Easter service.

Christians celebrate every Sunday, but Easter Week holds a special place on the Christian calendar, commemorating the final week of Jesus’ life, his death, and his resurrection on the first Easter Sunday.

Wherever you were this morning, wherever you are right now, be assured that God loves you, Jesus died to save you, and he rose from among the dead to give you new life and hope. This is the message of Easter.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 24 April 2011.

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Remembering Easter and Anzac Day

Filed under: ANZAC Day, Easter, theology — Leave a comment
May 22, 2011

This weekend, we celebrate both Easter and ANZAC Day. Both are times to remember the sacrifice of others on our behalf. On ANZAC Day we remember those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom and peace, and we honour those currently serving to defend justice and rebuild nations ravaged by war.

And at Easter we remember the death of Jesus Christ, deployed by God on a mission to establish peace and justice in a world that had lost its bearings. His sacrifice achieved a peace that was deeper than the absence of hostility. Jesus made possible a restored relationship with God, who loves us unconditionally and believes in our future. But death was not the end of Jesus’ story. On the first Easter Sunday he came back to life, breaking the power of death that kept us out of the life of God.

This Easter, we thank God for the service and sacrifice of Jesus, and the freedom and peace that a personal relationship with Jesus makes possible.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 24 April 2011.

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Kudelka’s Easter cartoon

Filed under: art, Easter, freedom of expression — Leave a comment
April 1, 2010

I’m no art connoisseur, but I recognise beauty and ugliness in works of art.  Some art inspires awe, other art invokes outrage or offence - especially art that ridicules religious symbols and traditions, such as the infamous “Piss Christ” artwork, or caricatures of baby Moses parting his bath water, or the Danish cartoon which offended Muslims in 2006.

Or Thursday’s cartoon by Kudelka in The Australian depicting Jesus on a cross, under a school shade structure, while Mr Rudd and his deputy look on, and a centurion tries to convince a thief to be nailed to the same cross to save the budget. We may laugh it off, but precious religious symbols ought not to be debased in this way. 

The irony is that the caption to Kudelka’s  cartoon, “Building a crucifixion revolution,” reminds us that the true Easter story is absolutely revolutionary, offering reconciliation with God, a new beginning, and a hope that never fades away. 

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 4 April 2010.

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