2. More than lip service – Stories that Stir!

Matthew 21:23-32 – Jesus’ parable of the two sons | Sunday 27^th September 2026 | Message by Pastor Rolly Stahl

Friends, how do you feel when people don’t keep their word? 

• Like when you arrange to catch up at a venue, but they don’t show up – or call you.

• Or you invite people to dinner, and they say, “Yeh, I’ll get back to you about that.”  But they don’t.

• Or someone says, “I’ll get that job done for you by the end of the week.”  But a month later, nothing’s done.

When such things happen, you might feel disappointed, miffed, or rejected. 

You might feel disrespected, perplexed, or even angry.   

So you call them to find out what happened.  They give a lame excuse, a quick apology, and promise to do better in future.  But if they keep breaking their word, what happens to trust? (It evaporates)  And what happens to the relationship? (It falls apart)

Friends, let me ask: How’s your track record?  Are you a person who can be trusted to keep their word?

Healthy relationships require more than just lip service.  Lip service is when we give a commitment in words  – but don’t back it up with action.

At the end of the day, mere lip service is hypocrisy.  It’s saying one thing – but doing another.  Jesus warned his followers not to be like the religious leaders of his day because many of them were hypocrites.[1]  They put on a show of piety to impress people.  But they didn’t impress God because it was fake.  It was just an act.

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem

In Matthew 21, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey and is given a king’s welcome. He clears out the temple courts and heals a bunch of people.  A day or two later, Jesus is teaching in the temple.  The leading priests and elders confront him: “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” (Matthew 21:23 NLT)

Jesus stitches them up with his reply: “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question.  Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” (Matthew 21:24-25 NLT)  Now if they answer, “From heaven,” Jesus will say, “Then why didn’t you believe him.”  If they answer, “Merely human,” they’d be mobbed because the people regarded him a prophet.  They said to Jesus, “We don’t know.”  So Jesus didn’t answer their question!

Jesus tells the religious leaders a story

“What do you think?  There was a man who had two sons.

He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 

“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.   

“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.

He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered. (Matthew 21:28-31 NLT)

The first son changed his mind. (v.29)[2]  Does that ring a bell?  It’s a similar word to “repent”.  The common Greek word for repent (metanoew) means “change of mind.”  The Greek word in Jesus’ story (metamelomai) means “to regret, be sorry, or change one’s mind.”   After his initial rebellion, the first son did what his father wanted.

The second son gave lip service.  He said, “Yes sir!”  But then he disobeyed his father.

Jesus unpacks his story for his audience

Jesus said to the leading priests and elders, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent[3] and believe him.” (Matthew 21:28-32 NLT) 

At the preaching of John, the notorious rule-breakers repented of their wrongdoing and turned to the Lord for mercy.  They confessed their sins and were baptised.[4]  Like the first son in Jesus’ story, they did what Father God wanted.

Now friends, can you remember what John the Baptist said to the religious leaders who came out to watch him baptize at the Jordan River?

“You brood of snakes!  Who warned you to flee the coming wrath?  Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.  Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing…  Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:7-10 NLT)

In other words, “No good fruit – get chopped off at the root. No good fruit – get the boot.” 

The religious leaders refused to repent and believe John’s preaching. 

And they refused to repent and believe in Jesus.

They were more interested in their position and power than in pleasing God.

That’s why they rejected Jesus as their Messiah – and had him killed.    

In his sermon on the mount, Jesus reiterates John’s words:

“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.  So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.  Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:19-20 NLT) 

In the next verse, Jesus draws a clear line in the sand:

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21 NLT) 

What do Jesus’ words mean for us?

To address Jesus as “Lord” and refuse to do what he says is a contradiction.  When we keep deliberately disobeying Jesus, we are denying him as Lord of our lives.

Jesus calls us to turn away from doing life our way, to receive his forgiveness for all our past mistakes, and to let him call the shots for our lives.  It means daily dying to self – and rising to new life in Christ.  It’s only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

And it’s more than lip service.  It requires a change of heart, a change of mind, and a change of life.  The fruit of repentance and the fruit of the Holy Spirit is joyful obedience to the Father’s will – as revealed in Jesus.  Regardless of our past failures, all who believe in Jesus and follow him as Lord, share in the kingdom of God. 

Friends, as a faithful Son, Jesus always said “Yes” to his Father’s will – AND did what his Father wanted.  Remember, in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus cried out: “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Matthew 26:39 NLT)  Jesus’ perfect obedience has made it possible for us to be forgiven and to come into God’s forever family.

Here’s why Jesus wants us to put his words into practice!

In the closing words of his sermon on the mount, Jesus says:

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27 NLT)

In both scenarios there are floods, winds, and storms.  But only the house built on solid rock stands firm.  Friends, we will never be losers by listening to Jesus and following his instructions for our best possible life – in this life, and into eternity.

Jesus – who always keeps his word – promises us:

“My sheep listen to my voice;

  I know them, and they follow me. 

  I give them eternal life,

  and they will never perish.

  No one can snatch them away from me.” (John 10:27-28 NLT)  Amen.

(c.1470 words)

Three points for personal reflection:

1. How do you think Father God feels when we don’t trust him to keep his word and his promises?  What promise from God’s word inspires you to press in closer to him?  

2. How do think Father God feels when our passion for the things of this world is greater than our passion for Jesus and his kingdom?  I invite you to tell God what distractions might be affecting your relationship with God, and to ask for his mercy and help.  

3. Are there some places in your life where you’ve been ignoring what Jesus wants for you?  How’s that working out for you?  Since Jesus has better things in store for us, why not take this opportunity to repent, receive Jesus’ forgiveness, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you follow Jesus in obedience?

An audio version of this message is available on St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully YouTube page: https://youtu.be/0EO1Y0ufpeQ

---

[1] See: Matthew 6:2,5,16; Matthew 15:7, 23:18-29, 24:51.

[2] μεταμέλομαι (metamelomai) – to change one’s mind and purpose, to repent, or regret.  This word is found in: Matthew 21:29 & 32.  Matthew 27:3 Judas was filled with remorse.  2 Corinthians 7:8 Paul did not regret the sadness from his letter to the believers at Corinth. Hebrews 7:21 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’.

[3] The same word from verse 29, metamelomai, is used here.

[4] Matthew 3:1-6.

1. From little things…(big things grow)

Series: Stories that Stir! (Jesus’ parables in Matthew) | Sunday 20^th September 2026 | Message by Pastor Rolly Stahl

Matthew 13:31-35 –  Jesus’ parables of the mustard seed and yeast1 Corinthians 15:16-20, 58 – Jesus’ resurrection guarantees our resurrection

Introduction

In our new series: “Stories that Stir!” we’re looking at parables that Jesus told.  Jesus used pictures from everyday life to describe the kingdom of God – and to invite his hearers to become part of it. Let’s pray for God to open our hearts to today’s message.

Friends, at times we all get discouraged.  Yes?

• Sometimes we look back on events, or seasons of life, and wonder: “What was that all about?” 
• When we’re serving our families, or working hard in our jobs, we might sometimes wonder: “What difference am I making?” 
• Sometimes we’re so exhausted that even simple tasks overwhelm us.   
• At times, we might look at our lot in life, or the world around us, and wonder: “What on earth is God up to?”   

Friends, if you’ve ever been discouraged that God isn’t doing more in your life, or more in the world, or that God isn’t doing it as fast as you’d like, then today’s parables will encourage you and renew your perspective.  One parable is about a farmer growing herbs; and the other a woman baking bread.

1. Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed

“The Kingdom of Heaven[1] is like a mustard seed planted in a field.  It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32 NLT)

In the ancient Middle East, the mustard seed was used to describe anything small.  

• For example, the Jews talked of a droplet of blood as small as a mustard seed. 
• If they were discussing a small breach of the ceremonial law (perhaps not washing hands properly), they’d speak of the defilement as small as the mustard seed.[2]  
• Jesus even said: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will.” (Matthew 17:20 NLT)

While the mustard seed was small, the plant could grow as high as 3-4 meters.  According to one commentator, “It was a common sight to see such mustard bushes …surrounded with a cloud of birds, for the birds love the little black seeds of the tree, and settle in the tree to eat them.”[3]

In ancient times, a huge tree was used as a metaphor to describe a vast kingdom. 

E.g., Ezekiel describes the Assyrian empire as a great cedar tree. 
     The birds nested in its branches, and in its shade all the wild animals gave birth.
     All the great nations of the world lived in its shadow.  (Ezekiel 31:6 NLT, see Ezekiel 17:22-23)[4] 

The kingdom of God is like a tree.  Despite small beginnings, God will grow his kingdom. 

Now at his trial, Jesus said that his kingdom is NOT of this world (John 18:36).  As a servant King, Jesus ushers in the kingdom of God by putting broken people back together again, by telling them how things are in the kingdom of God, and by calling people into it by following him. 

Jesus brings his forgiveness and leadership to all who receive him as their King. So,

the kingdom of God is wherever Jesus rules in the hearts and lives of his people. 

While his kingdom started with only a few followers, it will end up greater than we can imagine.  The grandeur of God’s kingdom will be revealed to all when Jesus returns in glory.  People from many nations will be gathered within it.  They will be part of a renewed creation, basking in the love and glory of God, and enjoying perfect peace.

2. Jesus’ parable of the yeast

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” (Matthew 13:33 NLT)

In the Bible, yeast is often used as a metaphor for evil that spreads – and influences people’s values and choices.  But here, Jesus mentions yeast as a catalyst of growth and change.  A woman baking bread would take a small portion of dough with yeast spores fermenting in it.  Then she’d knead it through a large batch of new dough – and put it in a warm place.  The hidden yeast goes to work, causing it to ferment and rise. 

As the yeast metabolizes the sugars in the dough, it releases carbon dioxide that produces tiny gas pockets throughout the dough.  The gas can’t escape because of the elastic gluten in the flour.  When the loaf goes into the oven, the gas expands even more – until the dough bakes into shape.  And out comes a loaf of bread.

Just as yeast transforms the dough, the kingdom of heaven permeates a person’s life – and brings profound and lasting change.  It happens in both individuals and communities.  Once Jesus comes into our hearts and lives, we are never the same again.  And once the kingdom of heaven gets inside a bunch of people, it permeates and transforms society.

For example, the first Christians in Rome picked up abandoned babies left to die (mostly girls) – and raised them as their own.  They provided welfare for widows and orphans.  They loved one another in ways that made the pagans envious. 

During two great plagues in the Greco-Roman world (c.165 AD and 251 AD), Christians cared for pagans whose families had deserted them.[5]  Why did Christians risk their lives for the sake of others?  Because Jesus’ resurrection had given them hope of a better future – and this transformed their behaviour.  As a result, many pagans converted to Christianity.  

Four encouraging application points:

1. Little is much if God is in it! (can we please say this together)

Friends, God’s works often start small. 

• God chose an old couple, Abraham and Sarah, to create Israel and to bless all peoples on earth. (Genesis 12:3) 
• The Lord raised Joseph from an Egyptian prison to save the world from starvation. 
• God chose Gideon – the least of his family from the least of the clans – to deliver Israel from their enemies. (Judges 6:15) 
• The Lord chose David, the runt of his family to be king.  Little is much if God is in it.

RC Trench comments on Jesus’ humble beginnings: 

“The Son of Man grew up in a despised province; he did not appear in public until his thirtieth year; then taught for two or three years in neighboring villages, and occasionally at Jerusalem; made a few converts, chiefly among the poor and unlearned; and falling into the hands of his enemies, died the shameful death of the cross; such, and so slight, was the commencement of the universal kingdom of God.”[6]

The baby born in a stable now influences the world.  The man put to death now offers life to all.  Paul reminds us: God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV)

From an insignificant seed, comes a mighty bush

From just a little yeast – an entire loaf is transformed.

Friends, whenever you’re discouraged by a lack of progress, remember: “Little is much if God is in it.”  When you put the little you have into God’s hands, he can do much with it! 

2. God is still at work, so don’t lose heart!

When struggling with small beginnings, it’s tempting to quit.  Yet every big movement started from small beginnings. 

From small beginnings…  A bunch of once frightened and defeated disciples spread the good news of Jesus throughout the ancient world.  Within a few generations, Christianity had spread all over the Roman empire and beyond, to India in the East, Ethiopia to the South, and Britannia to the West.

From small beginnings… the son of a German miner left law to study theology.  Martin Luther’s discovery that God makes us right with himself through Jesus began the reformation.

From small beginnings…  William Pitt urged his good friend William Wilberforce: “Why don’t you give notice of a motion on the slave trade?”[7]  The idea was sown into the mind of one man, and with God’s help – and decades of resolve – the slave trade was abolished throughout the British empire.  

From small beginnings… a bunch of Lutheran Christians gathered in this area.  They started off meeting in people homes, until a transportable building became available.  Then they built a church building with an office, kitchen, and Sunday school rooms.  A few years later they built the church building we’re in today.  Over those 60 odd years, thousands of people have heard the good news of Jesus, grown as his followers, and influenced others throughout Australia and the world.

Jesus’ parables of the mustard seed and yeast remind us that God is always at work in this world.  With God’s power, the seed we sow today will grow crops in due season and add to the Lord’s harvest.  In his big plan, God will bring all things together under one head, Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:10)  So friends, don’t lose heart or give up![8] 

3. God’s kingdom is at work within you!

Yeast working within the dough describes how the Holy Spirit transforms us.  It’s like a home renovation.  Jesus enters our hearts and comes into the “house” of our lives.  But Jesus doesn’t want to be stuck in one room.  He wants to do ALL of life with us.  He wants to do a complete makeover – one room at a time.

Over time, the Holy Spirit transforms:  

• Our understanding of who Jesus is, what he’s done for us, and what it means to do life with him.
• Our attitudes, values, opinions, passions, and interests. 
• Our work and our play.
• How we go about relationships, sexuality, and marriage.
• How we process our emotions and resolve conflict.
• How we manage our finances – and serve others with our gifts.
• What we watch on TV, and how we engage with social media.
• How we deal with temptation, trials, or difficult people.  

It’s an ongoing process.  Paul reminds us: God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6 NLT) 

4. God’s kingdom comes to others through you!

We believe that Jesus frees us from guilt and shame, makes us right in God’s eyes, is directing our lives for good, and has given us hope of eternal life.  Yes?

You know, Jesus wants everyone on earth to share in that.  

How does God’s kingdom grow like a mustard seed into a tree? 

How does the grace of Jesus spread to others like yeast in dough?

One person at a time; one encounter at a time. 

• Your life is the only “Bible” that some people read.
• You bring Jesus into your everyday encounters with others.
• Your everyday words and actions are pointers to the difference Jesus’ makes.

Every time that happens, people get to taste and see that the Lord is good.  So, we keep praying that they too will come to trust and experience life forever with Jesus.  Amen.

(c.1860 words)

An audio version of this message is available on St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully YouTube page: https://youtu.be/MldhXPz4dG4

---

[1] The Kingdom of Heaven is Matthew’s version of the Kingdom of God.  It’s the same thing.

[2] William Barclay, Gospel of Matthew, 2:84

[3] William Barclay, Gospel of Matthew , 2:85.

[4] Likewise, Daniel interprets a dream for the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar: “The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see.  It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches.  That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth.”’ (Daniel 4:20-22 NLT, see also Daniel 4:10-12)

[5] For a detailed account, see Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity – How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries, Chapter 4: Epidemics, Networks, and Conversion, (HarperSanFrancisco, 1997),73-94.

[6] RC Trench, “Notes on the Parables of our Lord,” http://executableoutlines.com/pa/pa_06.htm

[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilberforce  ‘On 12 May 1787, …Pitt challenged his friend to give notice of a motion concerning the slave trade before another parliamentarian did.’  ‘On 12 May 1789, he made his first major speech on the subject of abolition in the House of Commons, in which he reasoned that the trade was morally reprehensible and an issue of natural justice.’

[8] In my office, I have a Tom Roberts’ print of The Splitters with this text: Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)  When I’m struggling, it encourages me to keep going. 

Baptism – and life with Jesus

Baptism Celebration Sunday 13^th September 2026 | Message by Pastor Rolly Stahl

Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:26-27 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 6:1-2

Imagine some of us borrowing a fire truck, driving to Tea Tree Plaza, and running some hoses inside.  Then we could squirt every person we see – while saying: ‘In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!’  By day’s end, we could “baptise” thousands of people. 

Hmm. How would this end up for us?  

Two possibilities: We’d either be arrested; or taken to a mental health facility!

There’s some evidence that in the late 1400’s to the early 1500’s, some European explorers did this sort of thing with native tribes of the Americas.[1]  Arriving back home, they claimed to have turned pagans into Christians.  This sounds odd.  And it is odd! 

Likewise, these days it’s odd when people are baptised – without any interest in Jesus.[2]  It’s also odd when people ask about baptism – yet want nothing to do with Jesus’ Church.

Baptism and Jesus go together like 2 sides of a coin

Since the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, telling the good news of Jesus has always been part of the baptismal practice.[3]  The good news is that through Jesus’ death on the cross, God forgives you all your sins.  The good news is that through Jesus’ resurrection, God gives you a future of life with him and his people forever. 

Reading through the book of Acts, when people began trusting and following Jesus, they were baptised.  When believing parents asked whether their children could also be baptised, it seems that they were.[4]  At Pentecost, Peter says: “This promise is to you, your children, and to those far away.” (Acts 2:39 NLT)

Obviously, those who wanted nothing to do with Jesus walked away, dismissing the message as nonsense.  They certainly wouldn’t bother with baptism – for themselves or their families. 

Those who were baptised kept meeting with other followers of Jesus to learn more.[5]  This pattern fulfils the commission Jesus gave his followers:

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  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.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT)

Friends, making disciples can start with teaching or with baptism.  But the point is they belong inseparably together.  So, when people enquire about a baptism, we are to ensure they know who Jesus is, what he has done for us, and what it means to do life with him.  Here are four reasons why:

1. In baptism, God connects us with Jesus and his saving work 

Paul writes to believers in Rome:

‘Have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?  For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism.  And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.  Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.’ (Romans 6:3-5 NLT)

Friends, the death and resurrection of Jesus give baptism its “bite”.  In baptism we have died with Christ.  In what sense have we died?  (It’s not a physical death, otherwise no-one would be baptised.) 

So what sort of “death” is Paul talking about?  In baptism, our old selfish nature (that insists on doing life MY WAY) has been crucified with Christ. 

As Paul writes in Galatians: ‘My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.’ (Galatians 2:20 NLT)  In other words, ‘I’m not the centre of my life anymore.  Jesus is!’

In the early church, this was symbolically enacted when candidates ‘put off’ their dirty old clothes – before entering the water to be baptised. Coming out of the water, they were dressed in a white robe.  (BTW, this is the origin of “baptism gowns”.)  

2. In belief and baptism, God makes us his children

Paul writes: ‘For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.’ (Galatians 3:26-27 NLT) 

Note how faith in Christ and baptism go together.  Baptism connects us with Jesus.  Faith is trusting and following Jesus.  It’s how God makes sure his children are “properly dressed”. 

Years ago I was asked: ‘So what’s so important about baptism?’  My reply: ‘At one point in my life, God reached out to me to make me his.’ 

Regardless of what we’ve been through or what we’re facing, baptism remains a lifelong assurance that God is for me: that Jesus’ Father is also my Father; that I am in Christ; and that the Holy Spirit wants to keep me in God’s family forever.

Friends, do you know that Martin Luther struggled with depression?  During bouts of depression, Luther declared: ‘But I am baptised!’  Not: ‘I was baptised.’  Rather: ‘I AM baptised.’  In other words, ‘God I’m your child – and you are my heavenly Father.  No matter how terrible I feel, or what happens to me, you’ll never let me go!’ Baptism is a great comfort and assurance in tough times. 

3. In baptism, God brings us into the body of Christ: the Church

Paul writes: ‘The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.’  (1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NLT)

Western individualism tells us: ‘The most important person in the world is …you!’  But at what cost?  Selfishness isolates us and alienates us from one another. 

Yet in God’s plan, all who are baptised and believe in Jesus are part of the body of Christ, the holy Christian Church.  Since God is our Father, and Jesus is our brother, then the Holy Spirit makes us members of one family – where we are brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Regardless of our age, gender, or ethnicity;

regardless of our body shape, or marital status;

regardless of our gifts, abilities, or disabilities;

together we are the body of Christ!

Since God brings us together into the body of Christ, what does it say when we avoid contact with other followers of Jesus? 

Truth is that we need one another for support, encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth.  How can anyone grow as a healthy part of Jesus’ body by refusing to be part of it?  Friends, it’s nonsense when people say they love Jesus – but loath his Church.

4. Living in baptism is trusting and following Jesus

Because of what Jesus has done, we have a new identity as God’s loved and forgiven children.  With this new identity we live a new life.  We don’t keep following our selfish desires or impulses, or the ways of the world – but what God wants for us.

Paul asks: ‘Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?  (Should we keep disobeying God and hurting others – so God can keep pouring more of his grace on us.)  Of course not!  Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?’ (Romans 6:1-2 NLT) 

It’s not natural for God’s children to deliberately keep rejecting God’s good instructions for our best possible life.[6]  Yet when we accidentally fall short of what God wants for us, we can always turn to God for forgiveness.

Part of living out our baptismal identity is finding out what pleases God – and asking the Holy Spirit to help us live it out.  Whatever doesn’t mesh in with Jesus needs to be ‘put off’.  And whatever is true, right, pure, and fitting for God’s people needs to be ‘put on’ like the daily clothes we wear. 

Martin Luther explains this in his Small Catechism (a small book of instruction for Christian families):

Baptism – Part 4.  

What does baptism mean for everyday living?

Because we have been baptised, we should keep on drowning the old nature we were born with; everything selfish and sinful in us has to die.

This happens when day after day we are sorry for the wrong things we have done and ask God to forgive us.

And the new nature God has given us in baptism should come to life day after day.  We should live as new people, who do what is right and good and live with God forever.

What does the Bible say?

When we were baptised, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptised, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father. (Romans 6:4 CEV)

Friends, no wonder it’s been said: ‘In baptism there’s enough for a lifetime!’ Amen.

(c.1540 words)

An audio version of this message is available on St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully YouTube page: https://youtu.be/B_pB59R_ABQ

---

[1] https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/christianity-and-colonial-expansion-americas

[2] Some think of baptism as an insurance policy that guarantees their child or grandchild eternal life.  

[3] The first Christians were baptised on the day they believed (Acts 2:41).  As was the household of Cornelius (Acts 10:48).  The Ethiopian eunuch was  baptised by Philip in some water on the roadside (Acts 8:36).  Lydia was baptised after hearing and believing the Good News of Jesus (Acts 16:13-15). The Philippian jailer was baptised in the early hours of the morning (Acts 16:33-34). 

[4]  After hearing the good news of Jesus at Pentecost, the people were cut to the heart and asked: ‘What should we do?’

‘Peter replied “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away — all who have been called by the Lord our God.”’ (Acts 2:38-39 NLT)   On baptising households, see: Acts 10:24-48, 16:15, 16:33, 1 Corinthians 1:16.

[5] See Acts 2:42-47.

[6] Where there is no contrition or repentance, no turning away from what we know is wrong, and no desire to change, spiritually we are on dangerous ground.  We need to remember the cost of our forgiveness was Jesus’ perfect life and his sacrificial death in our place. 

8. What’s God building through you?

Series: A person after God’s own heart (David) | Sunday 6^th September 2026 | Message by Pastor Rolly Stahl

2 Samuel 7:1-17 – The Lord’s covenant promise to David; Matthew 22:41-46 – Jesus quotes from Psalm 110 to question and confound the Pharisees.

Today is the last part of our series on David: A Person after God’s own Heart.  We’re picking up the story after David was well established as King of Israel. He’d defeated the surrounding hostile nations.  After bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, the city became the political and spiritual centre of the nation. 

Enjoying a time of peace, David looks at the palace he lives in and wonders: “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!” (2 Samuel 7:2 NLT)  David wanted to build a house or temple for God. 

But God said, “No.”  Hmmm.  What happens when you want to do something great for God, and God says, “No,” “Not yet,” or “Not you!”?  Some people spit the dummy or take offence at God.    

Friends, when God says “No” he has good reasons.  Maybe God is growing our character – or preparing us for something different down the track.  Either way, we can trust God knows what’s best for us.

God did not need David to build him a ‘house’.  Instead, the LORD said he’d build a ‘house’ out of David.  

God promised David FOUR major blessings:

1. a great name/reputation. “Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth!” (2 Samuel 7:9 NLT) 3000 years later, we’re still talking about David.

2. peace for Israel. “And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed.  Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past.” (2 Samuel 7:10-11 NLT) 

3. that one of David’s offspring would build a house for the Lord.  “For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants… He is the one who will build a house — a temple — for my name.” (2 Samuel 7:12-13 NLT) 

4. that God would establish an everlasting dynasty though David’s line.  “Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16 NLT) 

David’s son, Solomon, built the temple and kept Israel at peace.  But sadly, it didn’t last. 

Some kings from David’s line were faithful to God and promoted justice (E.g. Hezekiah and Josiah[1]).  Others worshipped pagan idols, engaged in corruption, and shed much innocent blood (E.g. Manasseh[2]).

God sent prophets to call his people back to the Lord and to justice – but they didn’t listen.  So in 586 BC, about four hundred years after David, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians.  The temple and other significant buildings were burnt to the ground.  The city wall was demolished.  The king, leaders, and people were exiled to Babylon.  

Decades later, after returning to their homeland,[3] Israel became a backwater province of Persian and Greek empires.  Then after about 100 years of independence, the nation  was taken over by the Roman empire in 63BC.[4] 

After centuries of foreign domination, the Jews must have wondered:

• When will we be free from foreign rulers and taxes? 
• What happened to God’s promise of an everlasting dynasty from David’s line?
• When will this “son of David” restore the fortunes of our nation?  

God’s promise is fulfilled in Jesus

About 1000 years after David, an angel tells a young woman that God is about to keep his promise: “Don’t be afraid, Mary…  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” (Luke 1:30-33 NLT)

Every Christmas, David’s name is mentioned – and God’s promise remembered.  Both Matthew and Luke trace Jesus’ family tree back to David.  In the Gospel accounts, Jesus is addressed as the Son of David.[5]  Jesus is also the Son of God.

In his ministry, King Jesus ushers in the kingdom of God  

Jesus started his ministry with these words: “The Kingdom of God is near!  Repent of your sins and believe the Good News. (Mark 1:15 NLT)[6] 

Jesus’ stories often begin: “The kingdom of God/heaven is like…”  His stories reveal God’s loving care for us, and how we can be part of God’s story for this world. 

Now Jesus didn’t establish his kingdom by invading or conquering nations with brute force.  Jesus never intimidated or forced people to follow him.

Rather, Jesus brings people into the kingdom of God by wooing them with his love.  He touches people’s hearts, transforms their lives, and invites them to follow him.

We see Jesus’ love for us when he was crowned King on a cross.  At the cross:

• Jesus took away our garbage; and gave us his goodness. 
• Jesus blotted out the guilt and shame of our past; and brought us into his future.
• Jesus took our place of death; and gave us eternal life. 

Jesus’ death and resurrection have established the eternal kingdom that the Lord promised David.  This kingdom is made up of all who trust and follow Jesus.  Friends, by receiving Jesus’ forgiveness and authority over your life, your future is secure in Christ.  Nothing in all creation can separate you from his love.  

We are partners in God’s kingdom plans

Now who does Jesus want to share his kingdom with?  Everyone! 

And how does he do that?  Through you and me! 

In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray: “Your kingdom come…”  We remember that God’s eternal kingdom is more important than our own kingdoms.  As God’s loved and treasured people, it’s our pleasure to go about our King’s business.  What does this mean for us?  Here are 3 application points. 

Going about our King’s business means:

1. Growing the heart of the King  

When a child is born, most parents hope for 3 three things:

1. that their child will be secure in their love;
2. that their child will always know who and whose they are;
3. that their child will reflect the family values – and bring credit to the family name!

Friends, Father God wants you and me: to be secure in his love, to keep growing as his much loved children, and to reflect his love to others.  We see what that looks like in Jesus. 

That’s why Paul writes: Find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:10 NIV)

And Peter writes: You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18 NLT)

Growing disciples have healthy habits.  Like:

• daily Bible reading, reflection, and prayer.
• weekly worship to celebrate and share in the good things of God.
• doing life together with other disciples.
• serving God in both his Church and world.

The goal is for our hearts and character to become more like Jesus. 

2. Living out our identity as kingdom people 

God no longer lives in houses, temples, or church buildings.  Instead, God takes up residence in hearts who receive Jesus as their King.    

Paul writes: Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? … God’s temple is holy, and you (plural) are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NLT)

God’s Holy Spirit in us means that you and I are bearers of God’s holy presence in this world![7]  By the Holy Spirit, we reflect the grace and truth of Jesus to the world around us.

Friends, do you know that God’s presence in us by the Holy Spirit makes our bodies holy?  Paul says: Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT) 

In the context of this passage, Paul calls us to honour God with our sexuality.  Our daily walk with God is lived out in a body.  Jesus has bestowed great dignity on our bodies by sharing our bodily existence – in his birth and growing up in a family; in learning his trade; in his ministry of service; in his suffering and death; and in his resurrection. 

Since our bodies have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus – and these bodies will be transformed in the resurrection –  we are to take care of them!  What we do with, to, and in our bodies matters to God.  It demonstrate God’s power and presence in our lives.  And it reflects the beauty of Jesus to a confused and messed up world that we are made for better things than indulging our selfish desires. 

3. Sharing the kingdom of God with others 

Wherever we live, work, and play, we are ambassadors of King Jesus.  By the Holy Spirit living in us, Jesus touches other people’s lives. 

Each week, we encounter family, friends, and neighbours.  We encounter fellow students or fellow workers.  We encounter people in the marketplace, and people who share our interests. 

Friends, Jesus comes to them through us.  Each encounter is an opportunity to take an interest in people, listen to them, encourage them, and look for ways to point them to Jesus.  That’s how God is building his kingdom – and fulfilling his promise to David.

Friends, what is God building through you and me?

• How is God’s story for his world being realised in our life stories?
• How are our dreams and passions making a “Jesus type of difference” in other people’s lives?
• What will be your spiritual legacy 100 years from now?
• When people walk away from your funeral, what part of you will go with them?   

Mother Teresa once said: “I’m just a pencil in God’s hand!”  She allowed God to be the script writer for her story.  Likewise, our stories will have kingdom impact as we surrender ourselves into the King’s hands.  Our stories will only make eternal sense when they are woven into God’s story – as we do life with Jesus. 

A person after God’s own Heart – series summary

Shania Twain had a song: “That don’t impress me much!”  Friends, God’s not impressed when we’re showing off to others for personal glory.  God’s more interested in whether our hearts are open of closed to him. 

If we want our life to count for something in God’s kingdom, then we need to find our identity, security, and destiny in Jesus.  By God’s Word and Spirit, may you keep doing life with Jesus – so you can keep growing as a person after God’s own heart. Amen.

(c.1780 words)

An audio version of this message is available on St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully YouTube page: https://youtu.be/-G_ZIKmAWBw

---

[1] For more details on their stories: Hezekiah – 2 Kings 18-20,  2 Chronicles 29-32.  Josiah – 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35.

[2] ‘Manasseh also sacrificed his own sons in the fire in the valley of Ben-Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the Lord’s sight, arousing his anger. Manasseh even took a carved idol he had made and set it up in God’s Temple…  Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the pagan nations that the Lord had destroyed when the people of Israel entered the land.’ (2 Chronicles 33:6-7, 9 NLT) 

‘Manasseh also murdered many innocent people until Jerusalem was filled from one end to the other with innocent blood. This was in addition to the sin that he caused the people of Judah to commit, leading them to do evil in the Lord’s sight.’ (2 Kings 21:16 NLT) 

[3] King Cyrus of Persia conquered the Babylonian empire in 539 BC.  He ordered groups of exile to return to their homelands. The Old Testament records groups of Jews returning between c. 537BC and 445BC.

[4] ‘The Hasmoneans were the ruling dynasty of Judea and the surrounding areas from 164 BC to 63 BC during a period known as the Maccabean Period of Jewish Independence.’  https://www.compellingtruth.org/Hasmoneans.html  In 63 BC the Romans took over.

[5] E.g., Matthew 9:27, 15:22, 20:30-31, 21:9, 21:15, 22:42.

[6] The parallel in Matthew 4:17 NLT: “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

[7] ‘For through him (Christ) we both have access to the Father by one Spirit….  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.’ (Ephesians 2:18-22 NIV) 

6. Renewing our passion to worship God

Series: A person after God’s own heart (David) | 2 Samuel 8:12-15, 17-19; 2 Samuel 24:18-25; Luke 4:14-21 | Sunday 30th August 2026 | Message by Pastor Rolly Stahl

2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19 – David brings the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem; 2 Samuel 24:18-25 – David purchases and builds an altar on threshing floor of Araunah. This became the site of the Jerusalem temple. Luke 4:14-21 – Jesus’ custom was to attend worship in the synagogue.   

We see tremendous excitement and passion at football matches (regardless of the code).  Fans turn up early, so they don’t miss a thing.  They cheer, clap, shout, and jump up and down for their team – especially when a player shows great skill – or scores a goal.  If their team wins, they sing the team song with gusto.  Some fans eat, drink, live, talk, and breathe football.  Their deep and abiding passion could be labelled as “worship”. 

Friends, I wonder: “Where’s our deep and abiding passion for the living God!” 

And: “How is that evident in our worship patterns and practices?” 

Today we look at three things we can learn from David about renewing our passion to worship God. 

1. Worship is doing ALL of life with God – not just an hour on Sunday!

Long before becoming king, David had a heart of worship. He had a reputation as a gifted musician. That’s how he came to work for King Saul.  When Saul was upset, David played his harp to soothe his troubled soul.[1] 

We still have David’s song lyrics in our Old Testament psalms.  Some indicate the occasions when David wrote them.  No matter whether life was good, or bad, or ugly, David poured out his heart to God. 

Those ancient prayers have echoed in the hearts of God’s people for 3000 odd years.

• David’s prayers still help us take our worries, complaints, and anxieties to God.  
• David’s prayers still help us express our thanks and praise to God.  

Friends, David’s walk with God wasn’t just an optional extra, or even just a weekend thing – but the source and centre of his life. 

We also see this in David’s greatest grandson: Jesus.  Luke tells us about Jesus’ passion for worship: When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. (Luke 4:16 NLT)  Jesus’ custom was to worship with God’s people every Sabbath in the synagogue; and to participate in the annual festivals at the Jerusalem temple.  

Since connecting with his heavenly Father was the well-spring of his life, Jesus also took regular time-out to pray.  His pattern of worship was both personal (on his own); and corporate (with others).  Jesus made space in his life for both.  Friends, as his followers, are we doing that?

If we want to become more like Jesus, how can that happen if we squeeze time with God out of our lives.  Both personal and corporate worship are vital for growing followers of Jesus.

• If we confine our worship practice to just our personal Bible reading and prayer, we miss out on the support, strength, growing, and serving together with other believers.

• If we confine our worship practice to just the Sunday service, then how does our relationship with God impact our lives for the rest of the week?

Friends, worship is more than just a Sunday morning affair.[2] 

Christian writer, Alison Stewart, puts it like this:

…we know our worship reflects and glorifies God very practically when it is lived out not just in a one hour service but from day to day in the lives of worshippers.  … Real worship permeates life in the way any really significant relationship does.  …To worship is to live out a relationship with Jesus.  It is not a one hour meeting;… it is a whole life’s progress in loving God.[3]    

2. Worship is participatory – not a spectator sport!

When worship comes from the heart, it engages our whole being. (Just think back to our footy fans.) 

We see an example when David brought the Ark of the Covenant[4] into Jerusalem.  The ark was a symbol of God’s holy presence with his people.  The ark often accompanied the army into battle.  But decades earlier, the Philistines captured the ark in a battle with the Israelites.  Since the ark was too hot to handle, the Philistines sent it back.  It remained at Kiriath-Jearim for 20 years. (1 Samuel 7:2)

While bringing the ark to Jerusalem, David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.  (2 Samuel 6:14-15 NLT)

We might think it undignified for a king to dance vigorously in public!  Yet when worship comes from the heart, it moves us in body, mind, and spirit.  That’s why the ancient Israelites danced to celebrate God’s victory.  They raised hands to pray.  They knelt with their faces to the ground to honour and worship the Lord.  In times of grief, famine, or crisis, they put on sack cloth and ashes.  In good times they sang, shouted, and used all sorts of instruments.  

For thousands of years, God’s people have expressed their relationship with God through music and singing.  In Exodus 15, after God brought his people through the Red Sea, and wiped out the Egyptians, the Israelites sang praises to the Lord and the women danced.

David established guilds of singers and musicians for corporate worship.  So the Levites set up choirs to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals. (1 Chronicles 15:16 NLT)[5]   These guilds continued for hundreds of years – and resumed their service after the exile.[6]

Our singing in worship continues this pattern.  According to Revelation, praising God is something we’ll do in heaven – along with God’s angels.  

An application question:  Am I a spectator or a participant in corporate worship? 

• Spectators sit in the grandstand demanding to be entertained. 
• Spectators want a performance – and often judge that performance.

After a worship service, someone might say: “I didn’t get anything out of that!” 

Hmm.  That’s interesting.  What did you contribute into it? 

Was your heart set on who God is and what he wants for us – or only on what you want?

Since the living God is our source and centre of worship, the focus needs to be on HIM!   Worship is not a spectator sport.  Worship is participatory: First, in receiving from God.  Second, in responding to God.

We cannot worship as mere spectators up in the grandstand.

We need to “get down into the game” as active participants.

So we sing, we engage, we listen to God’s Word, we receive the presence of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper, we give, we greet, and we bless!  The joy of the Lord is our strength when we delight in worshipping together!

3. Worship is sacrificial – not worthless!

Our word “worship” comes from the old English word “worth-ship”.  We demonstrate the worth or value of any relationship by what give to the other person. 

Take family life for example. You can give gifts to one another.  You can give unrushed time and focussed attention.  You can do acts of service to help the other.  You can declare your love and appreciation with words.  Or you can demonstrate your love through touch: perhaps a hug or a cuddle. 

Such acts cost you something: in time, thought, effort, and/or money.  Yes?

Likewise, David knew that true worth-ship is sacrificial.  During a plague, the prophet Gad told David, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” (2 Samuel 24:18 NLT)[7] 

So David approached Araunah to buy his threshing floor.  Araunah offered to give the site to David, along with his oxen for the burnt offering, as well as his wooden threshing boards and ox yokes to build a fire on the altar. 

But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen.  David built an altar there to the Lord and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the Lord answered his prayer for the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped. (2 Samuel 24:24-25 NLT)

Friends, if our worship costs us nothing, then it’s hardly an expression of worth-ship – is it?  David reminds us that worship is sacrificial! 

That threshing floor later became the site for the temple, built by David’s son, Solomon.  David provided lavishly from his own personal fortune for the building of the temple: almost 120 tonnes of fine gold and over 250 tonnes of silver. David’s sacrificial giving demonstrated how much he valued his relationship with God.

Question: What are you worth to God?   

According to John 3:16, God gave his one and only Son for you – so that by believing in him, you would not perish, but have everlasting life.

Peter writes: It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed…, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV)  Out of love for you, Jesus sacrificed his perfect life for you – shedding his innocent blood on the cross – so you could be forgiven and do life with him forever.  That’s his deep and abiding passion for us! 

In Jesus, God shows his love to us – and how desperately he wants us in his forever family.  This love of Jesus changes our hearts; and opens us to the glorious possibilities on God’s heart for us.

I sometimes wonder if God is waiting to give us more than we are ready to receive. 

If that’s true, I wonder how much we’re missing out on.  Maybe a renewed passion to worship could open our hearts for more of what God wants to do in us, for us, and through us. 

Reflection/Application questions  (Please pause after each one.)

1. Does God get to do all of life with us – or does God only get our attention when it hits the fan in our lives? 
2. How would the people we encounter each week know that our relationship with God is the most important thing in the world to us?  What would they observe in our lives as evidence? 
3. More importantly, what does God observe when he looks into your heart and mine?  Does he find a heart where Jesus is enthroned above all else – or a heart full of other things? 
4. How can we make some space each day to listen and respond to God? 
5. What would you like to tell or ask God about renewing your passion to worship him?

From David’s story, we discover that a person after God’s own heart has a passion for worship that is sacrificial, participatory, and touches all of life.  Amen.

(c. 1780 words)

An audio version of this message is available on St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully YouTube page:

https://youtu.be/-G_ZIKmAWBw

---

[1] 1 Samuel 16:18 NLT: One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player…  He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.”    1 Samuel 16:23 NLT: And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.

[2] Joyce Meyer: “It’s time to let God out of the Sunday morning box because God wants to invade your life!”  God wants to “invade” our lives so he can bless our lives. 

[3]  Alison Stewart, 3. The Power of Worship, in Worship Team Handbook (Illinois: IVP, 1998),13-14.)

[4] The Ark was a wooden box, gilded with gold, with two cherubim (angels) on atonement cover – facing one another.  Inside the ark were the 2 tablets of the 10 commandments – the record of the covenant relationship between the LORD and Israel made at Sinai.  It was an agreement of how they would do life together.

[5] See: 1 Chronicles 6:31-32, 15:26-27,  25:1ff.

[6] See: 2 Chronicles 29:25-30, Neh 12:45-47. 

[7] Threshing floors were flat places on hill tops where sheathes of grain were threshed.  Then , using a winnowing fork, it was thrown up into the evening breeze to separate the grain from the chaff.  The chaff would blow away.  The grain would fall to the ground and be collected. (Today, motorised headers do all that.) 

5. “Fessing up” to our failures

Series: A person after God’s own heart (David) | 2 Samuel 12:1-14, Psalm 51:1-12 | Sunday 23rd August 2026 | Message by Pastor Rolly Stahl

I invite you to reflect on you own, or discuss with a friendly person:

How might people respond when “nailed” for a mistake or failure?

• We might blame others, lie about it, or deny it.
• We might make excuses for it, or justify it.
• We might try to minimise it: “Well at least I haven’t killed anyone!” 
• We might point out the failures of the person confronting us, “Hey, what about the times you lied, stole, and got booked for dangerous driving!?”

The way a person handles failure reveals a lot about their character. 

Let’s see what we can learn from David about two of his big blunders:  

1. David’s adultery with Bathsheba and cover up  

Instead of joining his men in battle, David was potting around his palace – perhaps feeling bored or restless.  Once we lose sight of godly purpose in our everyday lives, we become vulnerable to temptation.  As the old saying goes: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” 

From his palace roof, David saw Bathsheba bathing – and his desires were inflamed.  He used his position to commit adultery with her.  It’s ironic that David never lost a military battle; but he lost his battle with lust.[1] 

When Bathsheba sent word to David that she’d fallen pregnant by him, David calls her husband, Uriah, back from the army, plies him with alcohol, and urges him to go home and sleep with his wife.  That way, Uriah and others would assume the baby was his.  But Uriah refuses. 

When David asks him why, Uriah replied, “The Ark[2] and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.” (2 Samuel 11:11 NLT) 

Why does Uriah refuse to go home?  Because his fellow soldiers are involved in a holy war.  The army go out with the ark of the covenant – the symbol of God’s holy presence.  Since God’s holy presence accompanies the army, all the soldiers need to be ceremonially clean – and that means no sex.  Uriah swears on David’s life that he will not compromise himself, the army, or God by sleeping with his wife.  Uriah’s devotion to duty highlights David’s self-indulgence. 

Since plan A failed to cover up his moral failure, David resorts to Plan B.  He arranges Uriah to be struck down in battle.  

Then we read: When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her [Bathsheba] and brought her to the palace, and she became one of his wives. Then she gave birth to a son. But the Lord was displeased with what David had done. (2 Samuel 11:27 NLT)  David didn’t just sin against other people.  He also sinned against God.

Friends, no matter how hard we try to cover up our moral failings, God always sees it.  God cannot pretend it doesn’t matter.  Since God is perfectly good, holy, and just, he must deal with it.  There are always consequences for breaking God’s commands.  

The prophet Nathan presents a case to David for judgment.  A poor man has one precious ewe lamb that’s like a member of his family.  It ate from his plate and drank from his cup.  He cuddled it like a daughter.  Then there’s a rich man who has a visitor.  Instead of taking an animal from his own vast flocks and herds, the rich man butchers the poor man’s pet lamb to feed his guest.

David’s anger hits the roof: “This man deserves to die!”  With just four words, Nathan hits the bullseye of David’s heart: “You are that man!”  “You have many wives, yet you took another man’s only wife and had her.  When your efforts at cover up failed, you murdered her husband – and took his wife to be yours!”

Once confronted, there are 7 things David didn’t do:

1. He didn’t blame his upbringing: “As the youngest son, my big brothers picked on me.”

2. He didn’t blame other people: “I was under pressure from my advisors.  I was under pressure from the competing claims of my wives and children.”

3. He didn’t blame his life circumstances: “Not being part of the war efforts against the Ammonites, I was having a mid-life crisis.”

4. He didn’t use past hurts to justify his actions: “After spending a decade on the run from Saul, I deserve a few kickbacks.”

5. He didn’t compare himself with others: “Other kings have done much worse things than I’ve done!”

6. He didn’t use his position as an excuse: “Since I’m the king, I can do as I jolly well please!”

7. He didn’t execute the prophet who confronted him.

Instead David “fessed up” to his failure

“I have sinned against the LORD.” (2 Samuel 12:13 NLT)

We even have a record of his confession in Psalm 51. 

As I read some of it, note what David is asking God:

Have mercy on me, O God,
    because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
    blot out the stain of my sins.  (David knows that sin is stain on the soul that only God can remove)

Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
    I have done what is evil in your sight.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
    and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.  (like what happened to King Saul)

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you.  (Psalm 51:1, 4, 10-12 NLT)

After David “fessed-up”, Nathan replied, “The Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin. (2 Samuel 12:13 NLT)  The Lord spares David’s life, takes away his sin, and restores relationship with David. 

Now there were consequences of David’s actions: violence broke out in his family; four of his sons died prematurely; and one of David’s sons took his “wives”[3] and had them in public!  Yet with the assurance of God’s forgiveness, David still gets to do life with God. 

That same amazing grace is available for you and for me.  By the blood of Jesus, shed at the cross, God has punished our mistakes – and blotted out the stain of our sins.  Through his forgiveness, we still get to do life with God.  

So friends, whenever you’ve done wrong, take a leaf out of David’s book.  Confess it to God.  Renounce it out of your life.  Receive God’s forgiveness for Jesus’ sake.  And keep asking the Holy Spirit to help you live in the love and truth of Jesus.    

Here’s another mistake David made.

2. David took a military census

The king [David] said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.” (2 Samuel 24:2 NIV)

Now the Lord could order a census of the Israelites.  This happened twice in a book of the Bible called Numbers.[4]  But if a king of Israel took a census, it was regarded as an act of pride in his army. 

It was also considered an act of mistrust in God as Israel’s source of security.  Even David’s ruthless general, Joab, objected: “May the Lord your God let you live to see a hundred times as many people as there are now!  But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this?”  But the king insisted that they take the census. (2 Samuel 24:3-4 NLT) 

About 10 months later, Joab reported the numbers to the king. But after he had taken the census, David’s conscience began to bother him. And he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, Lord, for doing this foolish thing.” (2 Samuel 24:10 NLT)   

Again David owns up, confesses his sin to God, and asks the Lord to forgive him. 

Question: How can David so freely “fess up” to his failures? 

Because he trusts that God’s mercy is greater than his sin!

Application: 

There are 2 reasons why we avoid taking responsibility for our wrongdoing: 

1. Because like Adam and Eve, we strive to hide our guilt and shame.

• Because we’re not yet secure in God’s love for us in Jesus!

Follow the logic: If we’re not yet secure in God’s love for us in Jesus, we keep trying to secure ourselves.  How? 

• By making ourselves look good. 
• By trying to impress God or others with our performance. 
• Or by gaining our sense of worth from what we do …or what we own.

Since we can’t afford to “lose face”, we hide our guilt, shame, hurts, and insecurities under the “veneer” of success that we present to those around us. 

But like corks that keep popping up in a bucket of water, our selfish attitudes, words, and behaviours keep surfacing.  We keep messing up…but we hate to admit it!      

So, when we’re confronted or challenged about “those corks popping up”, what do we do?  Defend ourselves, justify ourselves, and attempt to make ourselves look good by minimizing the bad we’ve done.

Question: In ALL this, who is in the centre?  SELF!!  No wonder it’s a disaster!  We were never meant to be the centre of our own existence!  Truth is that we need God to free us from our self-centredness – AND from our failures that emerge from that.

Yet when our identity, worth, and self esteem

are based on God’s acceptance of us in Jesus,

our security in him frees us to acknowledge our mistakes

– without it destroying us!

Through the cross of Christ, we know that God’s mercy

is greater than our worst failures.  So now we can come clean.

John reminds us: If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:8-9 NLT)[5]  Friends, when God forgives us, he doesn’t rub it in.  Instead, God rubs it out!

The aging Paul admits: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”— and I am the worst of them all.” (1 Timothy 1:15 NLT)  If we can’t admit to being a sinner, then how can Christ save us?  Like Paul, I’m a sinner…  that’s why I need Jesus!  He’s made it possible for us to become saints.

People after God’s own heart rest secure in his love and kindness to us in Jesus.  Secure in God’s love, we can confess and renounce our failures, receive God’s forgiveness, and keep sharing his mercy with others!  Amen.

An audio version of this message is available on St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully YouTube page: https://youtu.be/1Sz4OKRsheg

---

[1] With David’s accumulation of wives and concubines over previous years, perhaps this indulgence was an accident waiting to happen.

See: 1 Samuel 25:39-44, 27:3, 30:5, 2 Samuel 2:2, 3:2-5, 5:13-16.  On kings and numerous wives, see the prohibition at Deuteronomy 17:17.  The outworking of the conflict among David’s children from these various wives is seen in 2 Samuel 13-19, and 1 Kings 1-2.

[2] The ark of the covenant.  A transportable wooden box gilded with gold. The stone tablets of the covenant were inside the box. The atonement cover on top featured 2 cherubim facing each other.  The Israelites understood that the Lord’s presence/throne was between the cherubim.  Psalm 99:1 NLT: ‘God’sThe Lord is king! Let the nations tremble! He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth quake!’ (See: Exodus 25:22,  Numbers 7:89,  1 Samuel 4:4,  2 Samuel 6:2,  2 Kings 19:15,  1 Chron 13:6,  Ps 80:1,  Isaiah 37:16)

[3] 2 Samuel 16:22 NLT: ‘So they set up a tent on the palace roof where everyone could see it, and Absalom went in and had sex with his father’s concubines.’

[4] Numbers 1:1-14, 26:1-4.

[5] Likewise, James says: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  (James 5:16 NLT)

4. Doing life in God together

Series: A person after God’s own heart (David) | 1 Samuel 14:1-15, 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 1 Samuel 23:14-18 | Sunday 16th August 2026 | Message by Pastor Rolly Stahl

1 Samuel 14:1-15 – Jonathan and his armour bearer take on the Philistines.

1 Samuel 18:1-4 – After David defeats Goliath, he and Jonathan become friends.

1 Samuel 23:14-18 – Jonathan finds and encourages David in the wilderness.

Recapping our series  

Today is part 4 of A Person after God’s own Heart, looking at the life of King David.  

• In part 1, we looked at God’s surprising choice of a shepherd boy to replace Saul as king over Israel. 
• In part 2, we saw how David relied on the Lord to defeat Goliath.
• In part 3, we considered David’s long wait to become king while on the run from King Saul – who wanted to kill him.

During those years, David was supported by others – including his best friend, Jonathan (King Saul’s oldest son).  Today, we look at how they did life in God together.

Two are better than one

About 3000 years ago, a wise man wrote: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.  But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT)  Aint that the truth?!

Western individualism feeds us the lie: “It’s all about…me.”  Sadly, when the ME is more important than the WE, we become self-absorbed, entitled, selfish.  That stuff wrecks relationships – so we end up alone. 

This same ethos can creep into our church family.  Instead of doing life in God together – many of us keep our faith and our inner worlds private.  Generally, we don’t share our struggles – or offer to pray with one another.  Generally, we don’t ask, “How’s your walk with Jesus going?”  Instead, we’re on our own individual walks with God – and perhaps wondering why our spiritual journey is a bit dull…or a bit lonely.

Friends, God created us in his image for relationships.  Our relationships with fellow believers are to reflect how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit honour and love one another – and work in unity together.

Friends, none of us come into the world without others.  None of us learns, grows, or matures without others.  And none of us can grow as followers of Jesus without close connections with other believers.  That’s why God has given us the church – also known as “the body of Christ”.  In this family we grow in God together.

When a person stops worshipping and fellowshipping with other believers, what happens when doubt, temptation, trouble, or despair knocks them over?  Pity the person who falls and has no one to help them up again! That’s why we need a few close Christian friends!

One reason David survived his years as a fugitive was through the support of friends.  David inspired loyalty from others – and was loyal to those who helped him.

How did Jonathan and David become friends?

Most people know the story of David and Goliath.  Yet in our first Bible reading, we see the same God-centred passion and courage in Jonathan:

Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on now, let’s go across to these uncircumcised pagans. Maybe God will work for us. There’s no rule that says God can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop God from saving when he sets his mind to it.”

His armor bearer said, “Go ahead. Do what you think best. I’m with you all the way.”

Jonathan said, “Here’s what we’ll do. We’ll cross over the pass and let the men see we’re there.

If they say, ‘Halt! Don’t move until we check you out,’ we’ll stay put and not go up. But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ we’ll go right up — and we’ll know God has given them to us. That will be our sign.”(1 Samuel 14:6-10 MSG) 

Note that Jonathan’s courage is not in his ability, but in the Lord: “Hey we’re God’s people.  God brought us into this land.  If God acts on our behalf, we can defeat our enemies!  So let’s rattle the cage of the Philistines.  If they invite us up the cliff to engage in battle, it’ll be a sign that the Lord has given them into our hand!” 

Against all odds, Jonathan and his armour bearer first climbed the cliff – and then began putting the Philistines to the sword.  Their army panicked and fled.  We read: When all the Israelites … heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit.  So the LORD rescued Israel that day. (1 Samuel 14:22-23 NIV)  And how many people did it start with?  Two!

Later, when David kills Goliath, Jonathan finds a kindred spirit: “Now, there’s a bloke who shares my kingdom passion.  Another bloke who’s willing to go forward with confidence in the Lord and fight for what belongs to us as God’s people!”[1] 

Jonathan and David made a covenant of loyalty to one another – and re-affirmed it several times.[2] 

Jonathan encourages David in his struggles

In times of trouble, we soon find out who our friends are.  A good friend walks in when others walk out.  Jonathan was that sort of friend to David.  During David’s season as a fugitive, we read: One day near Horesh, David received the news that Saul was on the way to Ziph to search for him and kill him.  Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. (1 Samuel 23:15-16 NLT)  I bet Jonathan never told his dad about this!

David had about 600 men with him. (1 Samuel 23:13)  But it was his mate Jonathan who found him, listened to him, encouraged him in his walk with God.  I imagine Jonathan saying: “Hey David, the Lord has chosen you to be the next king of Israel.  We don’t know when that will happen.  But between now and then, God will protect you from my dad.  Now let me pray with you and commit you to God’s care and keeping!”  

While Jonathan was the natural heir to the throne, he fully supported David as the next king.  They reiterated their covenant of loyalty to each other – and their descendants.[3]

Note that Jonathan didn’t stay for 6 months.  And David didn’t try to make Jonathan stay.  We dare not try to be “god” in anyone’s life.  Healthy spiritual care is helping people find strength in God – not making them dependent on us![4]

Friends, you or I can be in room full of people – yet still feel alone.  When it hits the fan:

• We need a friend to remind us that God is with us and for us. 
• We need a friend to point us to Jesus and what HE has done for us through his death and resurrection. 
• We need a friend to remind us of God’s promises. 
• We need a friend to pray with us and for us.

That’s how we help one another find strength in God. 

[Sadly, before David became king, Jonathan died in battle fighting alongside his dad and brothers against the Philistines.  David was devastated by the news.  You can read his lament in 2 Samuel 1:17-27.]

Application

Let me ask you some pastoral care questions:

• Who shares or ignites your passion for Jesus and his kingdom? 
• Do you have a friend with whom you can share your heart, your joys, your struggles and sorrows? 
• If you had an issue – or a burden of guilt – to get off your chest, who would you ask to listen to your confession? 
• Who helps you to find strength in God? 
• Who offers to pray with you when you’re struggling? 
• Who helps you with accountability in those areas you want to grow in? 

No matter how many friends or colleagues you have, who else in the world will ask you how your relationship with Jesus is going – apart from fellow Christians?  Friends, I submit to you that no one else will help you find strength in God except those who share your faith in Christ. 

Jesus gathered a group of 12 – and then 70 – and sent them out two by two.  The mission journeys of Paul seem to have been carried out by two, three, or more people. (Check out the beginning and ending of Paul’s letters.  Even in prison, Paul often has company.) 

Former head of the Christian Men’s Network, Edwin Louis Cole, made the point that:

We all need a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy.  We need a Paul to admonish us when we’re stepping out of line.  We need a Barnabas to encourage and lift us up when we’re down.  And we need to be investing into a Timothy – to mentor a “younger” Christian into maturity.  I reckon that’s spot on!  

That’s why finding a mentor, or getting together in small groups, is potentially so powerful.  We become like the people we hang out with – for better or for worse.  If you don’t have at least one good friend whose heart beats with the love of Jesus, you’re missing out on one of the greatest blessings on earth.

When we’re with trusted Christian friends, we can ask and listen carefully to one another’s responses to questions like these:

·      How have you been keeping?  (Or: How are things in your world? Or: How are you really going?)

      We often say, “Fine thanks”.  FINE acrostic: Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic, Emotional.

·      What’s been a recent joy or struggle in your life?

      A sorrow shared is halved; and a joy shared is doubled. 

·      What’s God been showing you lately? 

      This helps us to reflect and recognise God’s work in our lives.

·      How can I pray for you?

      This is inviting God into our everyday situations and relationships.

Doing stuff like this helps us to grow as people after God’s own heart. 

There are over 50 “each other” or “one another” phrases in the New Testament. 

E.g., Jesus’ says: “Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35 NLT) 

We do life in Jesus better by doing it together.  

Theologian, Jurgen Moltmann, puts it well:

“I become truly free when I open my life for other people and share with them, and when other people open their lives for me and share with me.  Then the other person is no longer the limitation of my freedom; he [or she] is an expansion of it.”[5]  

Jesus is our best Friend forever

Here’s why.  Jesus loves us unconditionally.  He always wants what’s best for us.  Through his sacrificial death in our place, Jesus has reconciled us with God.  In Christ, we are God’s loved and forgiven children forever.

Jesus promises: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NLT) 

And: “Where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20 NLT) 

We can talk with Jesus any time … anywhere… about anything.  Once we share our struggles with the Lord, we often find it easier to share them with someone else. 

If we want to keep growing as people after God’s own heart, we need to do life with other followers of Jesus.   Amen.

An audio version of this message is available on St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully YouTube page: https://youtu.be/riEh4-cC1s4

---

[1] David’s courage inspired others to join him: ‘David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.  All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.’ (1 Samuel 22:1-2) 

We read of David’s mighty men, who were fiercely loyal and helped win battles. (See: 2 Samuel 23:8ff, 1 Chronicles 11-12)

[2] 1 Samuel 18:3, 20:16-17, 20:42, 23:15-18.

[3] 1 Samuel 20:42, 23:18.  See the story of David’s kindness to Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth: 2 Samuel 9:1-13.

[4] If you “need to be needed”, watch out for co-dependency!  If you have a “merciful heart”, manipulative people will demand you to rescue them from the troubles they’ve got themselves into. Healthy boundaries are important because they help people to take responsibility for the consequences of their choices.

[5] Jurgen Moltmann, The Trinity and the Kingdom of God, 216.

3.Trusting God’s timing

Series: A person after God’s own heart (David) | 1 Samuel 18:6-16; 1 Samuel 24:1-12; 1 Samuel 26:1-12 | Sunday 9th August 2026 | Message by Pastor Rolly Stahl

1 Samuel 18:6-16 – Following David’s success, King Saul becomes jealous and afraid of him, 1 Samuel 24:1-12 – David spares Saul’s life at En Gedi, 1 Samuel 26:1-12 – David again spares Saul’s life in the wilderness of Ziph.

We’re in week 3 of our current series: A person after God’s own heart – based on the life of King David.  In week one, we marveled at God’s surprising choice of David to become the next king of Israel.  He was the youngest of 8 sons – and perhaps 15 years old.  Last week, in the story of David and Goliath, we saw how God gives us his authority to stand firm when we’re facing “giants”.  Today we’re exploring David’s long wait to become king.

I invite you to reflect on your own, or discuss these questions with a friendly person:

1. Why do we find waiting difficult?

2. How do we respond to a long wait?               

3. What might be some good things that can come from waiting?[1]

Friends, here’s an insightful Proverb about waiting:

      Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 

       but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12 NLT)

David’s long wait

After his anointing by Samuel, David didn’t become king next week, next month, next year, or even next decade.  Sometime after his anointing, David came into Saul’s service as a musical therapist.  When Saul was troubled by a tormenting spirit, David played the harp to soothe his soul.  David also became Saul’s armor bearer. (see 1 Samuel 16:15-21)  

Saul was initially fond of David.  But following David’s victory over Goliath, Saul’s attitude changed dramatically.  Here’s why.  When women celebrated the victory, they sang:

“Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!”

This made Saul very angry.  “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands.  Next they’ll be making him their king!” So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. (1 Samuel 18:6-9 NLT)

David’s success exposed Saul’s insecurity – and incited him to violence.

One day Saul tried to spear David, but David escaped him twice. (1 Samuel 18:10-11)   When that failed, Saul sent David on military campaigns (or suicide missions) so David would be killed in battle – but to no avail.  Instead, David’s success and popularity increased – infuriating Saul even more! (1 Samuel 18:14-30) 

Saul intensified his efforts to eliminate David.  He sent spies to track David down – and had his army follow up sightings.  To evade capture, David and his loyal men fled from town to town, hid in caves, and kept moving through the Judean wilderness. 

Scholars estimate that David waited about 15 years after his anointing to become king – including 10 years of being pursued by Saul!

Imagine David’s prayers: “Lord, why is this happening to me?  I’ve faithfully served Saul, but now he’s hunting me down like a wild animal to kill me.  Lord, how long will this go on?  How long before I can settle down in one place?  How long before you open the way for me to become king?”  Friends, there are:

Two traps to avoid in the waiting

1. Passive resignation

One temptation is to forsake the calling and passion that God has put on your heart – and to settle for something that’s unsatisfying. 

• Like staying in a job you loathe because you don’t have the confidence or discipline to pursue your passion. 
• Or marrying a person you don’t even like to avoid being alone. 
• Or resignation: “I’m just going to mope around until God comes through for me.” 

2. Manipulation and control  

Another temptation is to manipulate people and control events towards our desired outcomes: “I can’t wait any longer!  Since God’s not coming through for me like I expect, I’m going to make things happen!” 

Friends, when we refuse to wait on God’s timing, we end up trying to be “god” over others.  So there’s bullying, control, coercion, intimidation, and anger.  Friends, there’s no grace in that.  No love, no kindness, no mercy or giving freedom; just using and abusing others to get our own way.  

David’s shows us two better ways:

1. Tell God all about it  

We find examples of David’s complaint prayers in the psalms.  David honestly shares his thoughts and feelings with the Lord – and asks God for help. 

E.g., Psalm 59:1-4 NLT.  The title tells us David’s situation.

“A psalm of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him.”

‘Rescue me from my enemies, O God.
    Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.
Rescue me from these criminals;
    save me from these murderers.
They have set an ambush for me.
    Fierce enemies are out there waiting, Lord,
    though I have not sinned or offended them.
I have done nothing wrong,
    yet they prepare to attack me.
    Wake up! See what is happening and help me.’

Friends, Father God loves you and wants you to tell him whatever’s on your heart – whether you’re feeling glad, mad, bad, or sad.  David’s complaint psalms might give you the words: to voice your disappointment to God; to get that burden off your chest; and/or to ask the Lord for his help. 

2. Keep trusting in God’s timing  

While waiting and running for his life, David had two opportunities to kill Saul and take the throne by force.  The first time, Saul goes into a cave to relieve himself.  He doesn’t know that David and his men are hiding deeper in the cave.  David’s men urge him to kill Saul, but David refuses.  Instead, David secretly cuts off a piece of Saul’s coat. 

But then David’s conscience bothered him.  He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king.  I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.” So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. (1 Samuel 24:6-7 NLT) 

In the dialogue that follows, David tells Saul, “May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you.” (1 Samuel 24:12 NLT) 

The second time, David and a mate take Saul’s spear and water jug while Saul and his army are sleeping in a field!  David’s offsider wants to kill Saul.  But David says, “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the Lord’s anointed one?  Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle.  The Lord forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed! ” (1 Samuel 26:8-11 NLT)   Afterwards, David again assures Saul that he will do him no harm. (1 Samuel 26:23-24) 

David refused to kill Saul and take the throne by force.  Instead, David relied on God to remove Saul; and trusted God’s timing to make him king.[2]  Fifteen years is a long apprenticeship, but when David came to the throne, he was READY!  Once David became king, he ruled for 40 years. 

Likewise, when we’re waiting, the living God invites us to trust him for our future.  

Three questions can help us settle the issue:

1. Who is running the world – you or God?

2. Will you let Jesus be the managing director of your life?

    (Or do you think you can do better without him?)

3. Will you let the Holy Spirit lead and equip you in God’s plans for your life?

Friends, when our lives are in God’s hands, we don’t need to be in a desperate hurry getting to where God wants to take us.  

Now that’s not easy for some of us!  We’re so used to instant gratification that we don’t even consider what God might be doing during our season of waiting. During winter, nothing seems to be growing.  But hidden in the ground, lots of things are getting ready for the spring season ahead.    

God’s seasons are for good reasons 

When/If you’re in a season of waiting, don’t waste it by drowning in self-pity; or constantly venting your anger on others.  Regard it as a time of preparation for the next season. 

Friends, not all hard things in life are harmful.  In Jesus, we know that God is with us always.  In the waiting, God is growing our character and deepening our trust in him. 

It’s helpful to reflect on questions like these:

• What might be God’s purpose for me in this “waiting season”? 
• What is the Lord teaching me about his plans for his world – and my place in that? 
• How is the Lord opening my heart to him and transforming my character?
• How is the Lord growing my compassion, understanding, and concern for others?

Friends, no matter what season you’re in, God wants to keep growing you into a person after his own heart!  And waiting is often part of that.

Now, the waiting season might be a time to develop skills or discern next steps:

• What skills would be helpful in fulfilling God’s calling on your life? 
• Have you considered joining a small group or finding a mentor to share your story – and help you to work out some next steps?
• Can you talk with some people who are doing what you’d love to do?
• Is there a course to consider or some volunteer opportunities to serve?

For some of us, the season of waiting might be a time to deal with baggage from the past.

• Is there someone you need to apologise to – or reconcile with?
• If you’re carrying hurts from the past, maybe it’s time to seek wise Christian counseling to process that pain and find healing. 

God has a right time for working out his plans in our lives

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT)  Part of the art of living well is to embrace each season as it unfolds – and not writing it off as a waste of time through defiance, discontent, or self-pity. 

While the people of Israel were waiting for the Lord to deliver them from exile in Babylon, he assured them: 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.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT) 

Friends, God knows what’s ahead for you.  So make the most of the season you’re in on the way to where God is taking you.

Friends, whenever we’re waiting, here are 3 things worth remembering:

1. God is always with us in the waiting.

2. Sometimes it takes God a long time to move quickly.

3. God is always on time; he is never late.

(c.1760 words)

An audio version of this message is available on St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully YouTube page: https://youtu.be/ZOUxhlxTXpM

---

[1] Helps us realise we’re not in control.  Helps us develop patience, perseverance, resilience.  Helps us to turn to God.  Gives us greater appreciation/relief/joy when the long wait is over.

[2]  ‘For no one on earth — from east or west, or even from the wilderness — should raise a defiant fist.

    It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall.’ (Psalm 75:6-7 NLT) 

2. God’s help in slaying giants

Series: A person after God’s own heart (David) | 1 Samuel 17:1-11; 32-50 – In the name of the LORD, David kills Goliath the giant | Sunday 2^nd August 2026 | Message by Pastor Rolly Stahl

Friends, I wonder: What “giants” have you faced in the past?

What “giants” are you facing now?

I invite you to reflect on your own; or share with a friendly person.

The story of David and Goliath

happened over 3000 years ago.  Yet even today, journalists and sports commentators talk about a “David and Goliath struggle” between two unequal opponents – or two mismatched teams.

Imagine the original setting.  The Israelite and Philistine armies were facing off across a valley.  For 40 days, a 9-foot (or 274cm) giant named Goliath kept challenging an Israelite soldier to a dual: “If he kills me, then we will be your slaves.  But if I kill him, you will be our slaves!” (1 Samuel 17:9 NLT) 

But none of Israel’s soldiers would take him on.  They’d forgotten the days of Joshua when God gave Israel victory over stronger nations so they could take possession of the promised land.  Having lost sight of God, they were shaking in their sandals and paralysed by fear.

One day, young David brings supplies from home for his older brothers and their unit – who were soldiers in King Saul’s army.  After witnessing Goliath’s challenge, David is furious: “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26b NLT) 

In ancient times, a battle wasn’t just between kings and their armies.  It was also a battle between the god of each nation to see which one was greater.  According to David, Goliath had insulted the Lord God of Israel.  David is so cranked off that he’s willing to confront the big bopper and do something about it.  

“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (1 Samuel 17:32-37a NLT) 

As David approaches, Goliath roars at him with contempt:

“Am I a dog that you come at me with a stick?”  And he cursed David by the names of his gods.  “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!”

David replied, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies — the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head.  …and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! … This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”  (1 Samuel 17:43-47 NLT) 

By faith in God:

• David refused to let Goliath dictate terms to Israel. 
• David wasn’t going to let the Philistines and their pagan gods rob Israel of their God given freedom. 
• David made a stand for the Lord and his honour in the world.

David defeated the giant with a pebble from his sling.  Why was Goliath so surprised?  Because nothing like that had ever entered his head before! (Boom Boom)  As soon as Goliath was defeated, the Philistines ran away – with the Israelites in hot pursuit. 

God gave David the courage and the skill to kill the giant – and gave Israel victory over their enemies.[1] 

Three application questions:

1. What “giants” are you facing? 

• Maybe health struggles, relationship struggles, work struggles, financial struggles, parenting struggles, or family struggles?

• Perhaps it’s loneliness, lack of purpose, worry, anxiety, guilt, shame, fear, or depression?

• Maybe one of the 7 deadly sins: laziness, greed, anger, pride, envy, gluttony, or lust.   

Friends, I’m regularly ambushed by difficulties that throw me into confusion.  I find myself riddled with fear and anxiety.  Truth is, none of us have a trouble free life.

Friends, did Jesus have an easy life? 

Did Jesus promise his followers a trouble free life? 

Friends, when we seek to do life with God and for his glory, we’ll encounter opposition. 

Paul reminds us that we’re in a spiritual battle.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NLT)

These evil spirits conspire against humanity to destroy us.

• Think of the serpent’s lies that tempted Adam and Eve to rebel against God.
• Think of the destruction of wars, and the devastation of our planet through greed.
• Think of the temptations we face every day.  Why is it a struggle to do the right thing?
• Why do we find it so hard to admit when we’ve done wrong, and to apologize to those we’ve hurt? 
• Why is it a struggle to keep growing in the good things of God?  Why do we so often get distracted by other things?

One reason is that the devil and his sidekicks seek to destroy our relationship with God.  That’s why Paul urges us to: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11 NLT)

Question: “Who is greater: the giant you are facing; or the God you’re following?” 

David reminds us that God is greater than any circumstances we face.  

Once we remember that the Lord is with us and for us, we can put our problems into his hands.  We can find peace in knowing that overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NLT)

2. In what areas of life are you giving in to “the enemy”

     – without a fight?

If David retreated out of fear, the Israelites would have become slaves to their enemies.  If Jesus retreated out of fear, we’d still be enslaved to the devil and our desires. 

If we keep retreating out of fear, we allow “the enemy” to make us his slaves.

According to Jesus, the devil is a thief who comes to rob, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10)  He’s a master of disguise and deception.  Through social media, TV, the internet, music, and pop culture, the evil one aims to undermine our convictions, distort our values, destroy our families, trash our relationships, and wreck our lives. 

There’s an old saying: “If we don’t stand up for something, we can fall for anything.”

Friends, if we don’t question culture in the light of God’s truth, we end up being shaped and enslaved by it.  The word “acquiescence” means to give in without a fight.  Through acquiescence, we allow the enemy to establish strongholds in our hearts and minds.   

The evil one often uses our past hurts or present habits to enslave or imprison us.  E.g.,

• past rejection or abuse that keeps us in a silent prison of shame;
• bitterness or unforgiveness that poisons our souls;
• dysfunctional habits that keep messing us up;
• or addictions we can’t seem to shake. 

Satan, the accuser, tells us the lie that it’s God’s fault we’re so messed up. 

• He also tells us the lie that after what we’ve done – or what others have done to us – God wants nothing to do with us! 
• He keeps whispering the lie: “There’s no hope for you!  NO hope for you!  No hope for you!”  

While we keep believing those lies, we remain trapped in misery.

Friends, the good news is that Jesus came to set us free!  In his ministry, Jesus restored thousands of messed up people to health and wholeness. 

At the cross, Jesus paid the price to break us out of the enemy’s prison and to win victory for us over the powers of evil.  Paul tells us:

God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

      (Colossians 2:14-15 NLT) 

At the cross, Jesus took the blame and punishment for all the wrong things we’ve done.  Through the atoning blood of Jesus, your sins are forgiven.  As a result, the powers of evil can no longer accuse us, condemn us,[2] or threaten us. 

Since Jesus shares his victory over them with us, we no longer need to live in fear or resignation to the evil one and his sidekicks.  Jesus came to set us free so we can live confidently in the light of God’s truth and love. 

3. In the name of the Lord Jesus, will you make a stand?

Paul writes to Timothy: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)  Friends,

By the authority of God’s word,

and the power of the Holy Spirit,

and the mighty name of Jesus,

we can say “No!” to temptation and compromise.

Instead of acquiescing to the enemy, Paul urges us to live in the freedom we’ve been given in Christ: Christ has set us free to live a free life.  So take your stand!  Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. (Galatians 5:1 MSG)   

People of God, by the authority of Jesus, we can make a stand.  Following David’s example, we could declare something like this:   

“I will not passively sit back and watch the enemy plunder what God has given me and my family.  By the grace of God, I’m going to stand up for what God says is right; and resist what God says is wrong. 

In the name of Jesus, I will keep worshipping.  

I will keep loving, respecting, and serving others.  

I will keep growing in the good things of God. 

I will keep praying.  And I will keep pointing others to Jesus.  Amen.”  

            Friends, if this resonates with you, I invite you to join me in declaring it.

Next time you’re facing “a giant” remember the story of David and Goliath. 

Remember that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8 NLT)

And that overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NLT)  

May the Holy Spirit give us the grace and courage to slay whatever giants threaten the truth and life that is ours in Jesus.  Amen.

(c.1840 words)

An audio version of this message is available on St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully YouTube page: https://youtu.be/ZOUxhlxTXpM

---

[1] In another story, David is at it again.  The same passion and courage under fire happened near the same place where David killed Goliath. ‘Eleazar son of Dodai… was with David when the Philistines gathered for battle at Pas-dammim and attacked the Israelites in a field full of barley. The Israelite army fled, but Eleazar and David held their ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord saved them by giving them a great victory.’ (1 Chronicles 11:12-14 NLT) 

[2] ‘So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.’(Romans 8:1-2 NLT)  

1. God’s surprising choices

Sunday 26th July 2026 | Message by Pastor Rolly Stahl | Worship Series: A person after God’s own heart (David)

1 Samuel 16:1-21 – God chooses David and anoints him to be the next king of Israel; Mark 4: 30-34 – Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed; Acts 13:16-23 – Paul preaches that King David’s descendant, Jesus, is God’s promised Saviour of Israel

Introducing our new series

Today we kick off a new series: A person after God’s own heart.  Over seven weeks we’ll be looking at David’s transition from a shepherd boy to the king of Israel; as well as stories from his 40-year reign. 

After deciding to remove King Saul, God said to the prophet Samuel: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ (Acts 13:22 NLT See: 1 Samuel 13:14)

Friends, I invite to reflect on your own, or discuss with a friendly person: 

What do you think it means to be a person after God’s own heart?

Here’s a few I came up with:

• A person so secure in Jesus’ love that they want to do all of life with him.
• A person who trusts God above all things, loves God above all others, and respects God more than anyone or anything else. 
• A person who delights in God’s word and putting it into practice.   
• A person who can admit their mistakes to God and others – and by his grace, move on. 
• A person who is open to all God wants to do in and through their life.
• A person who has a heart for other people because they too matter to God. 

Hands up if you’d like to keep growing as “a person after God’s own heart.”

Let’s ask God to grow us into that.  (We pray…)

The thrill of being chosen

Maybe you can remember back to school days when two captains chose players for their teams.  Those with obvious talent or popularity were always chosen first.  Then those with average ability were chosen next.  Finally, it got down to the last few.  If you were one of those always left to the end, it wasn’t much fun, was it? 

Hopefully at some points in life, we discover the thrill of:

• being chosen for a special position, assignment, or job.
• or being chosen as a husband or wife.  (I’m still amazed that Leanne chose me!)
• or being chosen to participate in a great adventure.  

In 1997, I was chosen along with pastor David Altus to represent the LCA at a mission school in Bavaria, Germany.  It was a great honour and an unforgettable experience. 

It’s always a thrill to be chosen.  Yet sometimes the ones who were chosen end up being rejected.  We’ve seen high profile celebrities, sporting greats, or politicians who’ve lost their position due to misconduct.  That’s what happened to King Saul.  

Saul was chosen, but then rejected

God chose Saul as Israel’s first king.  He was impressive in appearance.  It says: Saul was the most handsome man in Israel — head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.

(1 Samuel 9:2 NLT, // 1 Samuel 10:23) 

Saul was strong and courageous in battle.  Yet Saul had some deep character flaws.  When under pressure or angry, he made impulsive oaths that put people in danger.  And despite his size, Saul was insecure and afraid of what others thought of him.  Friends, when we fear people’s opinion more than God’s opinion, it often leads to compromise.[1]

As a result, Saul twice disobeyed God’s instructions through the prophet Samuel. 

• The first time Saul didn’t wait for Samuel to offer sacrifices before going into battle – but did it himself. (1 Samuel 13:7-14) 
• The second time, God instructed Saul to destroy the Amalekites and all their animals.  But Saul spared the Amalekite king and the best animals. (1 Samuel 15:9)

Rejecting God’s instructions, Saul became a law unto himself. 

Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” (1 Samuel 15:10-11 NLT  See 15:35) 

After confronting Saul about his disobedience, Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else.” (1 Samuel 15:28 NLT) 

Saul’s disobedience grieved God – and the Spirit of the Lord left him. (1 Samuel 16:14) The rest of Saul’s life was marked by suspicion, fear, paranoia, and death in battle at the hands of his enemies.

Friends, our disobedience can also grieve the Holy Spirit and forfeit the destiny God has in store for us.  When our hearts are closed to God, we end up in a mess.

God tells Samuel to anoint a successor

Now the Lord said to Samuel… fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” (1 Samuel 16:1 NLT)     

So Samuel heads to Bethlehem and looks up Jesse.  When Samuel sees Jesse’s first strapping son, Eliab, he thinks: “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” (1 Samuel 16:6-7,10 NLT) 

Puzzled, Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”  Note how David was ignored by his family and wasn’t even invited to the feast!

“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.

And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.  (1 Samuel 16:11-13 NLT)

Surprise, surprise!  God chose the “runt of the litter” to be the next king of Israel.  He’s not the one others would’ve chosen.  But God looks inside David’s heart and says: “Now there’s a man after my own heart – a heart that’s open to me!” 

Friends, I wonder if that’s what God says when he looks inside your heart – or mine.

• “Look, there’s a heart that’s open and available to me!”
• “Look, there’s a heart that rests secure in the love of my Son, Jesus!” 
• “Look, there’s a heart surrendered to my kingdom plans for the world!” 

To be honest, my heart is often more centred in self than in God.  I constantly need God to create a new heart in me.  Perhaps you can relate to that.

Friends, here’s the good news.  Since God constantly holds you and me in his heart, he wants to create a new heart in us!  Now God doesn’t force himself onto us against our will.  Yet the Holy Spirit keeps renewing our hearts as we do life with Jesus.  It’s an amazing thing!  As God renews our hearts, he can touch the hearts and lives of others through us!  How does that happen?

God equips his chosen ones by the gift of the Holy Spirit

With the anointing of oil, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. (1 Samuel 16:13 NLT)

If David were here today, he’d quickly point out that the empowering Spirit of the Lord gave him the inspiration to write songs, the strength to persevere in tough times, the courage to fight in battles, the wisdom to rule, the humility to repent, the grace to remain faithful, and the charisma to gain favour with others.  God equips his chosen ones.

We also see this in David’s greatest grandson.  At Jesus’ baptism, the Father declares Jesus as his Son – and the Holy Spirit anoints him with divine authority for ministry. 

With this authority, Jesus taught the people, healed the sick, cleansed lepers, gave sight to the blind, delivered people from unclean spirits, and raised the dead.  The Holy Spirit gave Jesus the love and courage to lay down his life on the cross in our place.  And the Holy Spirit raised Jesus to life again so we could have a future.[2]

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit equipped the disciples to continue Jesus’ work in this world.  Friends, do you know that the word “Christian” literally means “anointed one”?  At your Baptism, God anointed you with his Holy Spirit.  God calls you into his ministry of serving others – and pointing them to Jesus.   

God equips those he calls!  He did it with David.  He does it with us!

Working out God’s choice – David’s apprenticeship

Sometime after David’s anointing, God opens an opportunity for him to work for Saul. 

Saul was troubled by a “tormenting spirit” that filled him with depression and fear.  His servants suggested a harp player to soothe his soul.

“All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.”

One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that — he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.” (1 Samuel 16:17-18 NLT) 

Friends, people had been noticing God’s presence in David’s life. 

So David went to Saul and began serving him.  Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. (1 Samuel 16:21)  In this position, David could learn how the king’s court functions, about statesmanship and diplomacy, about battle strategies and war. 

In this “apprenticeship”, David is gaining insight and wisdom for when he comes to the throne.  But that’s still a long way down the track. 

God’s surprising choices

Friends, God has a habit of choosing people the world looks down on to accomplish his purposes.  Do you know that – even before he made the world – Father God was thinking about you – and loving you.  Even before he made the world, Father God chose you in Christ to be his!

Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 1.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. (Ephesians 1:4-5 NLT)[3]

Regardless of what we look like, our family of origin, our personal history, or our past mess ups and failures, God chose you and me to be his through Jesus Christ.  And God anointed us with his Holy Spirit to bless, serve, and build up others.

God chose an ignored shepherd boy and turned him into a great king.  Friends, imagine what amazing things God might want to do through you – as his loved and chosen children in Christ!  Amen.

(c.1840 words)

An audio version of this message is available on St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully YouTube page: https://youtu.be/FLbxklcuDdg

---

[1] Proverbs 29:25 NRSV: The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the LORD is secure.

[2] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. (Romans 8:11 NLT)

[3] In Ephesians chapter 2, Paul tells us: God saved you by his grace when you believed.  And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT)

And in the next verse Paul tells us why God chose and saved us: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)