Category: newsletter (Page 11 of 12)

Seeing God at Work

26/10/2016 /
It’s so encouraging to see how God is at work around this great nation and around the world. We’re going to have a great day this coming Sunday hearing about the 30+ years the Etherington’s have spent in the Northern Territory and I can’t wait!
Lately I’ve read two great Christian biographies, one about taking the gospel to remote cannibalistic tribes in Western Papua New Guinea (‘Peace Child’) and another we’ve been reading to the kids at bed time about Nepal (‘My Seventh Monsoon’).
These Christian biographies can be a great companion to our regular Bible reading and prayer to help us in living our lives for Jesus Christ. Maybe you’d like to borrow a book from me to read, I have plenty to lend and/or suggest.
One of the most encouraging things for me is that I see God at work outside of the pages of books or third party stories.  I see God at work in your life.  I see you maturing in your faith, I see you stepping up with trepidation to serve in new ways in Church, and I see you sharing your faith with others.

People are like Lego Blocks

10/10/2016 /

People are like lego blocks.  Each person only has a limited number of connections that they can really sustain in their lives.  A standard piece might have 6 close friendships in its life, but then there are those really long and skinny pieces that can maintain 10, or the short ones that only have space for 2.
Over time, our connections fill up and we simply don’t have room for any more friendships in our lives.  When a new person joins our community they find a lot of friendly faces, but they might find it very difficult to make friends.  It’s not our fault, all our connections are taken.
The hard fact is that for our Church to grow, newcomers need to make friends, not just find people ‘friendly’.  This might require the multiplying of congregations or bible study groups, or even the easing of long-held friendships, to open up our connections to others.  This is a painful but necessary process if we are truly intent on sharing the great gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and growing his Kingdom.
You might not have made a new friend for a while, so this might be a little scary, but start simple and invite them over for lunch – find out what interests them and see where it goes.
Most of all, think about how you can place Jesus at the centre, we’re not a social club – we’re God’s people.  Why not offer to pray at the end of an evening meal discussion?  Or read the Bible when you meet to catch up?  Let’s not limit ourselves to being ‘friendly’, let’s be friends!
Being a welcoming Church is not just about who’s on the roster at the door – it’s about setting a culture of welcoming newcomers, seeking to build them up in Christ and incorporate them into our family.  It’s our responsibility – all of us.

Sit with Love

28/09/2016 /

Have you ever thought about the impact it makes when someone deliberately makes a decision to come and sit next to you?
Perhaps you can recall that time at the high school dance, where that special someone boldly strode across from the boys (or girls) side of the room to sit with you!  Or perhaps you remember the friend who came to sit with you for the bus ride on the way to school.  Sitting next to someone is more than just an act of physical proximity.
Where you sit at Church is also very important.  Not just for a good view, or to feel comfortable about being in the same spot each week, but for the sake of others.  Sitting next to someone lets them know you want to spend time with them and that they are important.  It speaks volumes to both a newcomer and a regular at Church when somebody deliberately makes a choice to sit with them.  Those of us who come to Church on our own will be especially helped by someone joining us, but at the same time we shouldn’t assume that a family grouping wants their ‘space’ more than our company.
When you arrive at Church each week, why not pray on the way in about who you might be able to sit next to and encourage or welcome.  Share with them how you’ve been encouraged by God and his word and ask them how they are going.  Of course there are plenty of opportunities to welcome and encourage one another after Church, but who you sit next to is an important decision.  Sit with love.
Being a welcoming Church is not just about who’s on the roster at the door – it’s about setting a culture of welcoming newcomers, seeking to build them up in Christ and incorporate them into our family.  It’s our responsibility – all of us.

‘Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ – Heb 10:25

part 2 of 3

Mimic A Meerkat

21/09/2016 /

The meerkat is everyone’s favourite at the zoo.  After busily foraging around for food (haven’t they noticed that the food mysteriously appears every day at 9am) they stand to attention bolt upright and check this way and that to see that there is no danger at hand.  They’re looking out for one another, because they’re a team, because they’re family.
I want to suggest that might be a good habit for us to be in at Church.  Not in order to notice any danger, but to notice anyone in danger: anyone who is standing by themselves; anyone looking lost or lonely; or anyone who has come to Church for the first time and will leave again promptly if nobody comes to speak with them.
I completely understand that there is always a friend at Church who you’re itching to catch up with, or to gloat about how you’re team beat their team in the football.  But that conversation can wait.  When the service finishes, just put that conversation on hold for a second and mimic a meerkat.
I also understand that talking to strangers is scary.  Why not be a pair of meerkats?  Try it with a friend, say ‘Hey, have you ever seen that person at Church before?  Why don’t we go and say hello?’
Mimic a meerkat, and you just might find an opportunity to welcome somebody to our Church, listen to their story, show them around, describe how our ‘King’s Kids’ Sunday school or youth ministries or bible studies work, or even explain the good news of Jesus!
Being a welcoming Church is not just about who’s on the roster at the door – it’s about setting a culture of welcoming newcomers, seeking to build them up in Christ and incorporate them into our family.  It’s our responsibility – all of us –and so over the next few weeks in this space, I want to explore this issue.

part 1 of 3…

 

Happy Fathers Day

01/09/2016 /

Fathers Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the important role Fathers have in the life of the family.  Being a Dad isn’t easy – I can certainly attest to that.  It requires patience and love, endurance and self-control, gentleness and strength.  None of us are perfect in the role, but if we do our best to provide stability, love and godly leadership to our wives and our children then we are making an enormous contribution to the well-being of the family and to the health of our Church and society.
When God made humanity he made us male and female to complement each other.  Both equal and in God’s image, but each different and unique.  A man who rules over his family, who demands obedience or who uses strength or violence to get his way is not following Christ’s example.  Each Christian man is to strive to emulate the sacrificial love of Christ Jesus in laying aside his own needs to care for the needs of others.  In using his strength to love and serve with gentleness.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” – Ephesians 5:25.

Judgement isn’t a very popular notion these days

25/08/2016 /

Judgement (this weeks sermon topic) isn’t a very popular notion these days.  But it is actually very important in the right place by the right people in order to establish justice and in order to show love.

Imagine the child who grows up thinking they are a wonderful singer, but can’t actually hold a tune.  Encouraged by parents and peers, they have no idea how much they are embarrassing themselves, but no-one wants to ‘judge’ so the farce continues.

One of the dramatic shifts in our culture over the last decade or so has been the rise of ‘tolerance’.  Tolerance is the new queen of virtues, taking the place of love.  The problem with tolerance is it doesn’t care enough to intervene.  Love, on the other hand, doesn’t just tolerate, but seeks what’s best for the other person, even when it might involve disagreeing or even rebuking another person.  Very often we aren’t in a position to judge, since we only see things from our own limited perspective.

Ultimately God is judge, and he will set to right all the injustices of our world on the day when Jesus Christ returns in glory.  The problem for us is that from God’s perspective (the true perspective) we will all be found wanting on that judgement day – every single one of us (Romans 3:10-12).  Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ has provided a way for us to find forgiveness and escape God’s righteous judgement – and we’ll see more on this next week!

Don’t be counted, make it count!

10/08/2016 /

You may or may not have been counted by now in the Australian Census.  Satirical news sites jokingly announced on Tuesday morning that Australia now has only 48 citizens (because the rest of us experienced technical difficulties).  What we’re interested in here at Church isn’t counting you, but helping you make your life count.
Your life counts because you are part of something eternal and valuable – the glory of God and the growing and maturing of his people.  1 Corinthians 12 describes the Church as the body of Christ – and every person in it as uniquely valuable and significant.  You (every one of you) are a vital part of God’s Church in Picton and Wilton – we miss you when you can’t come, you encourage us by your presence, and every one of you brings your unique personality and talents to the team.
The aim is that we all grow up into Christ and become mature.  The body of Christ grows and builds itself up as each part does its work (Ephesians 4:16).
Yours in Christ,

Ben

Olympic Peace

04/08/2016 /

We’re all ‘feeling very Olympic today’ to quote that fantastic movie, Cool Runnings.  Did you know that the five interlaced Olympic rings represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games?  The Games strive to create peace and harmony in our world through sport.  The games are a great spectacle and do a lot of good – but like every human activity they are riddled with corruption and sin (just ask the Russians).

The only thing that can bring true peace is actually a person – Jesus Christ.  What humanity needs isn’t a common cause, or a common stage, but somehow to deal with our common problem of sin.  Jesus lived the perfect life and died on the cross to bear our sin in our place.  Then he rose from the grave, conquering death and securing peace with God, hope and eternal resurrection life to all who trust in him.

So let’s enjoy the Olympics this month, but let’s enjoy peace with God and life in Jesus Christ for eternity!

Yours in Christ,

Ben

The Bible in our mother tongue

05/07/2016 /

One of the most remarkable things about being Christian is recognising that God has Spoken.  It is incredible to be able to open up the bible, at home or at Church or wherever we are, and hear God speak to us.

This week I received an email from our CMS link missionaries the Etheringtons with these breathtaking words:

“Another two days or so of paperwork and the text of the Kunwinjku New Testament goes to the Bible Society who will turn it into a finished book. Join us in praising our Lord for this long, slow miracle, and in praying that Kunwinjku people will continue to read and translate into action God’s words to them in their own heart language. This of course is a prayer for all of us as we read our own Bibles.”

The Kunwinjku people are a native Australian people group in far northern Australia.  I pray that they (and we) will treasure and read and believe and obey the precious words that God has spoken to us.

Yours in Christ,

Ben

Assurance and Stability in an Unstable World

02/06/2016 /

We live in a confused and unstable world.  We’re not sure whether a gorilla or a 4 year old boy is more important to protect.  A fluctuating economy and market conditions send 350 local workers out of a job and their families into insecurity.  And Queensland dominate in State of Origin Football (Ok so this last one kind of doesn’t matter).

Thank God for Christ who ‘suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God’ (1 Peter 3:18).  Jesus has won for us assurance and stability – knowing that we are loved by God and precious to him, we can weather any storm that might come our way.

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