On this page you can find details of the second of the Dean of Melbourne’s Lent Addresses 2017, “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done” – Knowing Jesus Christ: Finding Salvation. You may watch the first address here.
For Christians, Lent is a period of renewal and growth.
In this address, the Dean of Melbourne, the Very Revd Dr Andreas Loewe, reflects on the gift of faith and its power to transform lives, and to give us new directions and hope.
You can read the readings Dean Andreas reflects on in his talk, and you can watch his talk.
When you have done so, you may wish to use the questions for group reflection our congregations are using for their Lent discussion, and the ‘thought for the week’ for your personal reflection. You may wish to conclude by praying the prayer used at our Lent discussion.
Readings for the Second Sunday in Lent:
You first may wish to read the three Bible readings on which this talk is based.
Do read the following Bible readings: Genesis 12.1-4a – The Call to Abram (bible.oremus.org/?ql=355844084), John 3.1-17: Jesus meets Nicodemus (bible.oremus.org/?ql=355844352), and Romans 4.1-17: God saves all who believe
(bible.oremus.org/?ql=355844301).
Dean’s Address:
]You may read a transcript of the address here.
Questions for Group Discussion or Individual Reflection:
- Reflecting on Dean Andreas’s sermon and our readings today, how would you explain “Faith” to someone who had never heard the term? Is there a difference between “Faith” and “Belief”?
- Dean Andreas reminded us that the writer of the Hebrews declared “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11.1). What are those things that as Christians we hope for? What are the “unseen” things to which the writer refers?
- How does St Paul state that one is declared to be righteous (justified) before God? (Romans 4:3-5) How does this differ from the understanding many people in society have about how a person achieves righteousness?
- Consider again Romans 4:16-17 and John 3:14-17. How is a person “saved” and so finds entry to the Kingdom of God?
- What does it mean to “turn in faith to Jesus”?
A Question for Personal Reflection During the Week:
When was it that I turned to Jesus Christ in faith? Or have I yet to put my trust in Jesus to save me, knowing that it is only through faith in Him, that a person can be put right with God?
If you are unsure about the answer to these questions, and would like to be sure, why not chat with one of the Cathedral clergy or another trusted Christian friend in order to discuss them further.
A Prayer at the end of your Study Time:
When was it that I turned to Jesus Christ in faith? Or have I yet to put my trust in Jesus to save me, knowing that it is only through faith in Him, that a person can be put right with God?
If you are unsure about the answer to these questions, and would like to be sure, why not chat with one of the Cathedral clergy or another trusted Christian friend in order to discuss them further.
Amen.
© The Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne, 2017