Our Alpha course begins Monday 13th September. Alpha is a great opportunity to explore life, faith and meaning in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Who are you going to invite?
Your LG leaders will let you know all the details!
For many of us there are so many different questions, thoughts, and concerns swirling about in our minds when it comes to the coronavirus and how we should respond to it and how we should respond to how our government responds to it and how we should respond to how our friends and family respond to it!!! It can be exhausting, frustrating, confusing, and anxiety inducing.
That is why we need grounding in God’s word and good counsel. Both of which are helpfully outlined in an article by Ray Galea Pastor of MBM Church Rooty Hill.
In it he writes, “God’s church should be a profound mystery to the world: a place where men, women, young and old; where people of many different cultures, classes and political persuasions come together in love—united by Christ’s precious blood and sealed by his Holy Spirit. Let’s not divide it over vaccines.”
His teaching is solid and his points are wonderfully rooted in Scripture. Such a helpful read and directive for us as a church. I’ve been wanting to write and say something about this issue and then came across this article that said it for me! Thanks Ray!
You can find the article here.
If you have concerns or queries about the virus, the vaccine, or the various responses to it, I’m here for you! I’ve already had a number of people reach out to me privately, so please feel no hesitation at all!
Alana Burnett had a great idea for our Zoom service, a quick book review during our 5 minute break. She kicked us off with “Hope In An Anxious World” by Helen Thorne (which is only $7.50 atm!).
If you have an idea for a book that you’d like to review, text or email Alana and let her know!
We’re now 5 sessions into our 12 month long ‘Leadership Bootcamp’ and what a great start it’s been. The bootcamp itself is designed to help folk who have an interest in leadership, to understand what it means to lead in a way that is biblical, fuelled and formed by the realities of the glorious gospel of Christ, and therefore be better equipped to be used by God in whatever sphere he calls them to: home, church, work, sport, neighbourhood, etc.
We have 15 folk in this cohort, 12 from Sovereign Grace Churches and 3 from outside of ourselves. Riley Spring, our Director of Church Development, recently caught up with a couple of them to see how they’re finding it…
Andrew Whitehouse
“I've really enjoyed and benefited from being involved in Sovereign Grace's Leadership Bootcamp this year. The first thing I noticed was the emphasis Sovereign Grace places on the character of leaders rather than their ability, or gifting. I'm grateful to know this is important for our church and look forward to growing in my own character, knowing of course that Christ is at work in me.
I also treasure the opportunity to gather and learn with a group of brothers and sisters in Christ. We have different backgrounds, from different generations and cultures, yet we are one in Him. Seeing how Jesus has brought us together and having the opportunity then to learn from one another really encourages me to push on with, and into, my journey with Jesus. (Which really, I see as our journey because of the unity we share in Him)”
Baree Tripodi
“In the first month, we went through a book called Humility - True Greatness by CJ Mahaney and discussed the topic of humility. I think I have always thought of myself as a humble person in that I don’t outwardly brag about my successes, if people compliment me I usually thank them and divert the conversation to something or someone else so as to not look proud. This is why this topic stood out to me so much, because I quickly realised I wasn’t humble much at all. Through reading the book and discussing true humility with the leadership bootcamp group, I quickly realised although I wasn’t outwardly “arrogant”, a lot of my lack of humility was concealed within me and my own mind.
Mahaney defined humility as “honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness”. I was quickly rebuked by this as God revealed to me many ways which I responded to my lack of holiness or sinfulness. In moments of sinfulness, I was (and still am, it’s something I will continually need work and prayer on) quick to put up a defensive barrier and blame other things, people or situations for the reason why I was acting in a certain way. I have always struggled to apologise, through my own stubbornness, and through reflecting on this topic of holiness, it taught me both the great importance of this new definition of holiness (new to me anyway), and the sense of peace that the only judgement or comparison we should be making is between ourselves and God’s holiness.
Although I don’t hold any worldly leadership positions in my life, reflecting on humility within my role as a Christian leader to my non-Christian work colleagues and friends, has highlighted and reminded me of the importance of being a light when interacting with them. For example, in moments when I am caught in a conversation of people gossiping or speaking poorly of another person, I am quicker to question whether my engagement in this conversation is in line with God’s holiness. This reflection then helps me to either refrain from engaging or speak up against the sinful conversation. Through true humility as defined by Mahaney, I can more accurately reflect on my actions in light of God’s holiness, and strive harder and more successfully in becoming more and more like Him.”
So far, so good… But please keep praying for everyone involved in this bootcamp. May His grace be with us, and may the fruit bring much praise to His name.
As you know, situation in Afghanistan is terrible. I recently received this prayer update from Open Doors that I’d commend you to pray through:
“Right now, I am coming to you to ask for urgent prayer for our family in Afghanistan. It's hard to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy taking place in Afghanistan, and even harder to know how to pray. What's happening? The withdrawal of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan has led to a successful advance of the Taliban. As of August 15, the Taliban has seized the capital of Afghanistan, leading to a mass exodus of Afghani's attempting to flee to neighbouring countries in search of safety from violent Islamic extremism. The Afghani president, Ashraf Ghani, had fled the country and is seeking asylum in Iran for fear of the Taliban. All Christians in Afghanistan live in secret, and the only church exists underground. Afghanistan is #2 on the World Watch List. Our persecuted family pray for us, and now is our time to pray for them. Please pray:
* For underground church members who have been living in anonymity. Underground church leaders report that they have already received threatening letters from the Taliban indicating that the radical militia know who they are and what they are doing. Pray for protection over these leaders and their families -- that God would 'make seeing eyes blind' and keep believers hidden in plain sight. Pray that they would have the boldness and resolve to proclaim the gospel, even unto death.
* For women in the country - many women will lose their rights to an education and freedom under Taliban rule. Many are forced to marry Taliban members and face extreme violence and oppression. Pray that God would comfort and rescue vulnerable women.
* For the Taliban members - pray that they would have Saul/Paul Damascus Road-like encounters with the man Jesus Christ, and that they would become passionate and zealous members of the underground church, spreading the gospel in Afghanistan. This is not uncommon - you can read a testimony of this here.
* For families who have fled to seek safety elsewhere. Pray that refugee camps would be safe places of healing and community where people encounter Jesus. Pray they find a safe place to live.
* For protection against the spread of Covid-19, specifically the rapidly spreading Delta variant.
* For world leaders and the leader of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani - that God would work through them to institute miraculous peace and stability in the nation. Feel free to share these prayer points with your church community. As the church in NSW, let's galvanise to pray for our family in Afghanistan. 'When one part suffers, all parts suffer with it.'“
On Sunday, we saw in Matthew 15:1-20 Jesus give us two warnings about worship:
Beware of worthless worship (worship that is determined by the rules of man, not the law of God, worship that is externally impressive but internally our hearts are far from God v.1-9)
Beware of having clean hands but dirty hearts (sin comes from the inside out, not the outside in, v.10-20)
And we saw that what we need is true cleansing, a changed heart leads to a changed life and true worship.
As Bishop JC Ryle says:
“What is the first thing we need in order to be Christians? A new heart - What is the sacrifice God asks us to bring to him? A broken and a contrite heart - What is the true circumcision? The circumcision of the heart - What is genuine obedience? To obey from the heart - What is saving faith? To believe with the heart - Where ought Christ to dwell? To dwell in our hearts by faith - What is the chief request that Wisdom makes to every one? “My son, give me thine heart.”
One question I wanted all of us to ask is: are you doing all the right things externally but is your heart far from God? If so, repent, and turn to God and ask Him to draw you back!
Listen to the message here.
If people are taking the time to reflect on life at the moment, they’re likely pondering: Is there more to life than this?
On Sunday Richard announced that we are planning on running an online version of the Alpha course. This course is designed to help people to investigate life and faith in Jesus Christ via interesting, informative, and beautifully made videos coupled with discussion questions. You can view the first one here.
The first four sessions are what we’ll go through and then give people the chance to commit to following Jesus and learning more about Him by completing the remaining 7 sessions.
Is There More To Life Than This?
Who Is Jesus?
Why Did Jesus Die?
How Can I Have Faith?
We want to do this really well so that if you step out in faith and invite a friend, they’ll have the best possible experience of coming to learn about Jesus, albeit in an online version of Alpha.
There will be more detail to come but for now, let me encourage with one thing: begin praying for God to put on your heart who you are going to invite.
I commend to you a fantastic article by SGC Sydney Pastor, Brendan Willis, entitled: “If Christ Has Been Raised: How To Live Like Christ Is Alive’. Read it here
“Knowing with confidence that Jesus Christ is alive and reigning ought to profoundly impact the way we live our lives . Our lives should seem foolish to those around us who have hope only in this life . Our daily priorities and passions only make sense if Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.”
How can we live like Jesus is really alive? Well, you’ll have to read the article to find out!
https://www.sovereigngrace.com/journal
Recently we introduced a new song from Sovereign Grace Music, ‘Christ Will Be My Hideaway’. It is a beautiful song based on Psalm 91, which reminds us that Jesus will always be our refuge, even in the midst of a pandemic!
Here are two versions to listen to: Studio + Acoustic:
VERSE 1
I will dwell within the shelter of the God who reigns above
I will rest beneath the shadow of the mighty King of love
Though a sickness hides in darkness, though a plague destroys by day
I will stand upon His promises, Christ will be my hideawayCHORUS
In You, my God, I trust, You are strong and here with us
In You, my hope remains, Christ will be my hideawayVERSE 2
Angels gather to protect me when they hear my Savior call
Sovereign hands are ever ready to uphold me should I fall
Safe beneath His wings of refuge all my fears are kept at bay
I am shielded by His faithfulness, Christ will be my hideawayVERSE 3
Though a thousand fall around me, though death looks me in the eye
Evil shall not have the vict’ry while the Lord is at my side
God in power raised my Savior, I no longer fear the grave
Through this fragile life and evermore, Christ will be my hideaway
https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/christ-will-be-my-hideaway/