TELLING THE GREAT WORKS OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD TODAY …
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A New Song Is Coming To Melbourne's Festival Hall – Hillsong’s Latest Venture Hillsong, the Pentecostal megachurch, has bought Festival Hall, a major Melbourne con- cert venue, which was put up for sale almost three years ago. While the building has been the venue for numerous pop stars and rock groups, Mel- bourne’s Christians remember it as the venue for the Airst few meetings of Billy Gra- ham’s 1959 Crusade. Such was the response to Dr Graham’s crusade in Melbourne that the meetings had to be moved to the larger venue of the Myer Music Bowl and Ainally to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the last meeting of the crusade still holds the record number for attendance at the MCG. Until the imposition of severe restrictions by the Victorian Government due to the COVID-19 virus, Hillsong had been meeting in the Atheneum Theatre in the CBD, at Knox City and at Maidstone. In announcing the purchase, Hillsong state pastors Tim and Nicola Douglass said the West Mel- bourne building had been bought after a years-long search for a home in the city. ‘This journey of pur- chasing this incredible facility started about 18 months ago,’ Mr Douglass said. ‘We just happened to hear that it was for sale and started inquiring, thinking that it was a long shot. I mean, we've been looking for seven or so years and had come up empty-handed.’ Mr Douglass said the proposal ap- peared to fall through around Christmas last year, but ‘through a roller coaster of events’, the church managed to buy the building this year. ‘The cool thing about purchasing Festival Hall is it's going to continue to be Festival Hall,’ he said. ‘It has served the people of this city in different events over the years and it’s going to continue to do that. We just get to be the church that purchases it and continues to serve, but also gets to see it be the house of God on Sundays.’ An artist's impression (above) shows how Festival Hall could look after its purchase by the church, with seating surrounding a circular stage. Hillsong founder Pastor Brian Houston said the building needed a lot of work, and the church was hoping to renovate it. ‘But we're going to continue running it as a community venue,’ he said. When it initially put the build- ing up for sale in 2018, Stadiums Limited had applied for a permit to demolish it and replace it with two 16-storey apartment towers, but that proposal was thwarted when the building was heritage- listed. Vol 83 No 9 1 November 2020 Free On Request: [email protected] ‘Tell the people the full message of this new life’ – Acts 5.20b www.nlife.com.au TELLING THE GREAT WORKS OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD TODAY Dr Billy Graham preached in Festival Hall at his 1959 Crusade.
Transcript of TELLING THE GREAT WORKS OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD TODAY …
A New Song Is Coming To Melbourne'sFestival Hall – Hillsong’s Latest VentureHillsong,thePentecostalmegachurch, hasboughtFestivalHall,amajorMelbournecon-certvenue,whichwasputupforsalealmostthreeyearsago.Whilethebuildinghasbeenthevenue fornumerouspopstarsandrockgroups,Mel-bourne’sChristiansrememberitasthevenuefortheAirstfewmeetingsofBillyGra-ham’s1959Crusade.SuchwastheresponsetoDrGraham’scrusadeinMelbournethatthemeetingshadtobemovedtothelargervenueoftheMyerMusicBowlandAinallytotheMelbourneCricketGround,wherethelastmeetingofthecrusadestillholdstherecordnumberforattendanceattheMCG.Untiltheimpositionofsevererestrictions bytheVictorianGovernmentduetotheCOVID-19virus,HillsonghadbeenmeetingintheAtheneumTheatreintheCBD,atKnoxCityandatMaidstone.Inannouncingthepurchase, HillsongstatepastorsTimandNicolaDouglasssaidtheWestMel-bournebuildinghadbeenboughtafterayears-longsearchforahomeinthecity.‘Thisjourneyofpur-chasingthisincrediblefacilitystartedabout18monthsago,’MrDouglasssaid.‘Wejusthappenedtohearthatitwasforsaleandstartedinquiring,thinkingthatitwasalongshot.Imean,we'vebeenlookingforsevenorsoyearsandhadcomeupempty-handed.’MrDouglasssaidtheproposalap-pearedtofallthrougharoundChristmaslastyear,but‘througharollercoasterofevents’,thechurchmanagedtobuythebuildingthisyear.‘ThecoolthingaboutpurchasingFestivalHall isit'sgoingtocontinuetobeFestivalHall,’hesaid.‘Ithasservedthepeopleofthiscityindifferenteventsovertheyearsandit’sgoingtocontinuetodothat.Wejustgettobethechurchthatpurchasesitandcontinuestoserve,butalsogetstoseeitbethehouseofGodonSundays.’Anartist'simpression(above)showshowFestivalHall couldlookafteritspurchasebythechurch,withseatingsurroundingacircularstage.HillsongfounderPastorBrianHouston saidthebuildingneededalotofwork,andthechurchwas
hopingtorenovateit.‘Butwe'regoingtocontinuerunningitasacommunityvenue,’hesaid.Whenitinitiallyputthebuild-ingupforsale in2018,StadiumsLimitedhadappliedforapermittodemolishitandreplaceitwithtwo16-storeyapartmenttowers,butthatproposalwasthwartedwhenthebuildingwasheritage-listed.
Vol 83 No 91 November 2020
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TELLING THE GREAT WORKS OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD TODAY
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TELLING THE GREAT WORKS OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD TODAY
PrayingForOneAnother‘Prayalsoforme,thatwheneverIspeak,wordsmaybegivenmesothatIwillfearlesslymakeknownthemysteryoftheGospel,forwhichIamanambassadorinchains.PraythatImaydeclareitfearlessly,asIshould’.– Ephesians6.19,20
InhisbookAGriefObserved, C.S.Lewistalksaboutthedeathofhisbelovedwife,Joy,fromcancer.AtonepointhewondersatthecrueltyofGodwhocouldallowJoytonearlygetwell…onlyforhertobesnatchedbackintothejawsofcanceragain…andthentodie.Itishardforthosewhowatch. ButmayIspeakasonewhohascan-cer?My‘take’onitisdifferenttothatofC.S.Lewis.Iseethingsinquitethereverse.Ithasbeentheprayersoffriendsandlovedones– workinginharmonywithGod’spurposes– thathavesnatchedmebackfromdeathandenabledmetoengageinfurthermission…bethatwritinganotherbook,orwhatever.Quitesimply:Ifeel‘carried’bytheirprayers…anditisanextraordinaryexperience.So,beassured: noprayeriseverwasted.Ihavereliedonthem– andIsaythisassomeonewhomaydiesoon.Thisismyprayer: DearFather,IlovethewayYouchoosetoworkthroughtheprayersofYourpeopletofulAilYourpurposes.ThankYoufortheteamthatsurroundsmeandcarriesmewiththeirprayers.
– NickHawkes
TheBibleSocietypublishesabrief,helpfuldailydevotionalbyvari-ousauthors. TheaboverecentcontributionwaswrittenbyDrNickHawkes,ascientist,pastor,apologist,writerandbroadcaster.Forafreedailysubscriptiongoto: <[email protected]>DailyBiblereadingsanddevotionals.
‘Come by faith to Christ.Do not come, Pharisee-like, telling God what youhave done, how often youhave gone to church, re-ceived the sacrament,fasted, prayed, or the like.No! Come to Christ aspoor, lost, undone sin-ners, and He will acceptyou.’
– George Whitefield1714 - 1770
PreachingChrist,OurRisenLordAndSaviour
PAKISTAN: Christian Ministry Filling The AtmosphereWith Young Voices Worshiping JesusJesusMyShelterministryinTobaTekSingh,Pakistan, hasbeenleadingchildrenandyouthintheWordofGodandwor-shipformanyyears.Theirorphanage,schoolandwomen'sprogramareallfaith-basedandsuccessful.Recently,JesusMyShelterbeganHosannaStudios,withthegoalof‘workingfortheWordofGodinPakistanbyproducingChristianworshipsongsperformedbychildren;andbuildingworshippersofGod.’Musician-songwriterandproducer,SaqibYaqubex-plained, ‘WearecommittedtoengagethechildrenofthisgenerationwiththeBibleandexpressingaloveforJesusChristthroughChristianMusic.Wearebringingallourbesteffortsandpracticestomo-tivateandencourageChristianchildrentobecomeworshippers,musiciansandproducersforourSaviour.’AsCOVID-19hasaffectedpeopleandministriesaroundtheworld, it'salsomadethingsdifAicultforthetrainingschool,andYaqubsayshehopesotherbelieverswhoappreciatetheirmissionwillcomealongsideandhelpsupportit.Theirworshipprojectiscalled ZaboorWithJoy(PsalmWithJoy),andtheirworshipproductionsareavailabletoviewontheYouTubechannelforHosannaStudios.‘ThisisaChrist-centeredandBible-basedChristianchildrenfamily thatwillgrowaroundtheworld,’saidYaqubregardingtheproject,‘Afamilywithonevision;glorifyingandpraisingJesusChristwithbeautiful,soulfulvoicesandmusic’.
– BreakingChristianNews(PicfromHosannaStudios/MusicSchool)
InvestingInHope–ApprenticeshipsTransformLivesInPakistanNikson’s futureisbrightnow,asthedisabledyoungman,whohasneverbeentoschool,learnsskillstoenablehimtosupporthim-self.LikemanyyoungPak-istaniChristians,hisimpoverishedparentscouldnotaffordtoeducatehim.Christians,adespisedminorityinPakistan,areoftendiscriminatedagainstinemploy-ment.Beingdisabled,hisfutureseemedhopeless.ButNiksonhasbegunanapprenticehip,learninghowtobeamotormechanic,withfundingfromBarnabas.Heisgainingskillsthatwillenablehimtoearnaliving:suddenlyNikson’sfutureisbrightandhecanlookfor-wardtolivingindependently.Dawoodwasalmostinde-spairnotlongago,butnowheishappyandhopeful,andlooksforwardtohav-inghisownbusinessoneday,Godwilling,asthis16yearoldChristianappren-ticeislearningthesametrade.Dawoodgotasfaras4thclassbutthenhadtoabandonhisschoolingduetofamilyproblems.HeconAidedinhispastorhowdes-
peratelyworriedhewasabouthisfuture.Dawood’spastorknewaboutBarnabasFund’sapprenticeshipschemeandrecommendedhimtotheirprojectpart-ners.Dawoodhasreallytakentomotormechanics.Heloveshiswork,haslearnedalotinashorttime,andisveryhappy.Hehopestobeabletosetuphisownbusi-nessinthefuture.BringingHopeToYoungChristiansThereare100Christianyoungmenandwomenal-readyservingapprenticeships,withthehelpofBarn-abasFund,infourcitiesacrossPakistan.Hundredsmorearewaitingtojointhescheme.Somearelearn-ingtorepaircars,likeNiksonandDawood,otherstorepairmotorcycles.Somearelearningtobeelectri-cians,tailors,plumbers,hairdressersorbeauticians.Severalarebeingtrainedincomputerhardware.Twoarelearningwelding.Oneislearningcarpentry,an-othervideoediting,andanotherislearningtorepairmobilephones.Ineachofthefourcities,aChristiansupervisorfundedbyBarnabasvisitstheyoungap-prenticesregularlytomentorthemandmakesureev-erythingisgoingwell.Barnabasalsopayseachapprenticeasmallmonthlystipendtocovertheirtraveltoworkandotherbasicneeds.WhentheyarequaliAiedintheirtradeorprofession,theywillbeabletoearnmore.Theindividualswillalsogainrespect,independence,andrecognition.– BarnabasFund
MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF THE DAYMEETING THE CHALLENGE OF THE DAY
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PASTOR WANTEDKurriKurriCongrega,onalChurch welcomesexpressionsofinterestfrommenwhobelievethatGodmaybecallingthemtoserveasMinister orAs-sociateMinister ofourchurch.
Theposi,on isthatoffull-;mepastorbutconsidera;onwillbegiventomenwhowouldprefertobegininanassociaterole(assumingfullpastoralresponsibilitylater).Coreresponsibili;esincludepreaching,Bibleteachingandpastoralwork.As;pendandallowancespackagewillbeoffered,basedonindependentlyrecommendeddenomina;onalrates.Commencementandlengthofservicearenego;able.
Theman willbeassumedtohaveabiblicallyconserva;veevangelicalper-spec;ve.Anappropriatebibleortheologicalcollegequalifica;onandpre-viouspastoralexperiencewouldbedesirablebutnotessen;al.ApersonallovefortheLord,theBible,andthegospelisexpected.
The Church is an autonomous evangelical church situated in theNSWHunterValleyregionaltownofKurriKurri,about1½hoursfromSydney.Itspeoplecomefromadiverserangeofages,educa;on,employmentandbackgrounds.CurrentlythechurchsupportstwoSundayservices,biblestudygroups,Sundayschool,women’sandchildren’sministries,andspecialevents.Thechurch’smodernisedpropertycomplexiscentrallylocatedinthetown.
Ifyouwouldliketoknowmorepleasecontact:PhillGraham([email protected] ) or
JonVanVorst([email protected] )Phone:(02)49371049
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Halloween.It’slikeEasterandChristmas –itcomesaroundlikeclockworkonceayearon31October.Yetit’snotlikeEasterandChristmasbe-cause(inAustraliaatleast)itisan‘unofAicial’thingthatseemstohavecreptinbystealthduetotherelentlessAmericaninAluenceonteenagersinparticular.Andit’snotgoingtogoaway.Mytakeisthat‘Halloweennight’willbecomemoreandmorepopularintheyearsahead.Thecommonre-actionbyAustralianChristianstoHalloweenistofearit,avoidit,ordosometut-tutting.However,IwantustoseeHalloweenasasuperbGospelop-portunitypresentedtouseveryyear(justlikeEasterandChristmas).Letmesharemyexcite-ment!Itseemstome thatHalloweenistheoneday(well,evening)oftheyearthat‘doorknocking’issociallyacceptable.When31Octobercomesaroundthisyear,andthere’saknockatthedoor,peoplewillusuallyanswerit.Theywillallbeex-pectingkidsdressedasghoulssaying‘Trickortreat?!’Ithinkit’stimeforChristians tomakethemostofthisopportunitytogodoorknockingontheeveningof31Octobereveryyear.Imagine…thedoor-bellringsandthefamilyinsideopensthedoortoAindagroupofpeoplewhosay‘Treat!’andofferthemabagcontainingsomelolliesandother‘treats’,apamphletabouttheirchurchandtheactivitiestheyrun,aninvitationtoanupcom-ingoutreacheventorcourselikeChristianityEx-plored,abusinesscardfromthePastor,aGospelpamphlet,andacopyoftheNewTestamentoroneoftheGospels.Afewwordsfromoneofthegrouplike:‘Hi!We’refromthechurchthatmeetsdowntheroadonSundaymornings.We’reheretogiveyouatreat.Here’sashowbagfulloflollies–andwe’dliketoinviteyoutochurchsometime,sothere’salsosomeinfointhereaboutwhatwedo.Youcaneatthelolliesorgivethemaway!Thanks…Seeya!’…Andofftheygotothenexthouse.SOMEBENEFITS:•Itprovidesawayintotheneighbourhood inanon-threatening,funway.Peopledon’tevenhaveto‘talkaboutJesus’(whichwillputmostChris-tiansatease!)becauseit’sessentially‘advertising’forthechurch.•Itkeepsevangelismontheagenda ofthechurch.
•Itputsevangelismontheagenda offamilies.•Itprovidesaneasy‘\irstcontact’withpeoplefromthelocalchurch.Non-ChristiansactuallygettophysicallyseeaChristianwhogoestothechurch.•It’sagreatopportunitytogetpeoplein-volved indoorknockingonanightwhenitwill‘work’marvellously.Thisyearit’sonaSaturdaynight –whichisevenbetterforfamiliesandthechurchtodosomethingtogether.Plus,peoplemightturnupatchurchonSundaymorning!Isuggeststartingwitheveryonegatheringto-gether, perhapsstufAingtheshowbags,prayingtogether,andthenheadingoutinfamilygroupsand/orpairs.FinishtheeveningoffwithachurchSausageSizzle,sharestories,andprayagain.WhiletheHalloweenphenomenonhasn’ttakenoffinAustralia inamassivewayyet,there’senoughofitaroundtosuggestthatthisideawillhavelegs.MyvisionissobigthatIwouldloveittotakeoffinsuchawaythatintheyearsahead,whenthere’saknockonthedoorontheeveningof31October,Australianhousehold-erswillneverquitebesureifitisgoingtobeabunchofkidswithvampirefangswantingsomelollies,orabunchoflocalChristiansgivingthemsomething!Whatanopportunity! Tomeit’sano-brainer(anotherAmericanism?)!Ican’tbelieveno-onehasthoughtofitearlier.
SteveMcKerney isaStaffworkerwithAFES,pro-claimingtheGospelamongstudentsatMurdochUniversityinPerth.He’smarriedtoMelindaandtheyhavefoursons(twoaremarriedandtwoarestillathomeandstudyingatuni).Heattendsasmallishandnewishchurch‘southofthe(Swan)river’,whoaregoingtohaveagoat‘treating’theirneighbourhoodthisyear.ThisarticleisreprintedfromthewebsiteofTheGospelCoalitionAustralia.Yes,it’sjusttoolateforthisyear, sowhatabout\ilingitawaybutkeepingitinmindforadvanceplanningnextyear?Theforcesofevilusethisdayasanopportunitytopromotetheirgodlessviews.ChristianscanuseittopromotetheOnewhosays:‘Behold,Istandatthedoorandknock.IfanyonehearsMyvoiceandopensthedoor,Iwillcomeintohimanddinewithhim,andhewithMe’.– Ed.
Halloween – A ‘Treat’ Of An Opportunity!
SPREADING THE WORDSPREADING THE WORD
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BibleBlessingsForBrazilBackedbyasizablematchinggrant,WorldMissionaryPress,isrampingupanewprogramtosendGospelmate-rialstoBrazil.HelenWilliamswithWorldMissionaryPresssaysthatrecentlyadonorapproachedthemandof-feredamatchinggrantofupto$110,000.AftercarefulthoughttheydecidedtousethefundsforalloneprojectandsendmaterialstoBrazil.Shesays,‘Wewillbelaunchingourproject calledBlessingsForBrazil,laterinOctober,andthencar-ryingitonforthreemonthstoraisematchingfundstogetthreecontainersofmaterial(primarilyinPortuguese,andsomeinSpanish),forourmajordistributorstousethroughoutBrazil.’FourWorldMissionaryPressdistributorsthroughoutBrazil,wherethereisanewopennesstotheGospel,willsplitthree40-footcontainersAilledwithmaterials.Thesedistributorsreachpeopleineveryregionofthecountry.Thedistributorsarethrilledabouttheopportunity.Williamssaidonepartnersharedthatthetimingwasperfect.‘Hewassoexcited.Hesaidnowisjustthetime;hesaidthey’vegotanewgovernmentthatisalittlebitmoreconservative,thatdefendsreligion,andisnotasdifAiculttoworkwithasbefore,inthelast15years.Peoplehavebeenencouragedtoevangelizeevenmore.Hesaidthere’sanevengreateropennesstotheGospel–moreopportunities.’WilliamssaysthatdespiteCOVID-19 slowingdowndistributioninlargercities,thereisstilllotsofdistributionoccurringinthecountry.TheGospelisbreakingintoareasthathavebeenAilledwithidol-atryandpaganworshipformanyyears.SomepastorsareevengoingdoortodoorwiththegoodnewsoftheGospel.Theprospectsareexciting,buttheprojectisbig.Williamsasksforprayer.‘Wewanttoprayforthoseopenhearts toreceivetheWord,andforaharvest,’hesays.‘Wedon’twanttopourmaterialinjusttosay,“Look,whatwedid.Wegotalotofmaterial:wegotsix,sevenmil-lionpiecesintoBrazil.”WewanttoseeGod’sdirectionandHisSpiritmoveandseeaharvest.’PraythatGodwouldopen heartsandmindstohearthetruthoftheGospelandrespond. – MNN
FAITH NEWS WORLD-WIDE with Stan HuntFAITH NEWS WORLD-WIDE with Stan Hunt
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YOU CanAdvertiseHere.CallRachaelOn0415 612 646ForDetailsEmail:
Samaritan’sPurseisnowbuilding anemer-gencyAieldhospitalintheBahamasattherequestoftheBahamianPrimeMinister.Theyhavealsodeployedadisasterassistanceresponseteamofdoctors,nurses,andotherreliefspecialiststobuildthefacility,whichwillbepartofPrincessMargaretHospitalinNassau.Thegroup’sDC-8cargojet hastransportedthe28-bedCovidCareCentrewithmorethan14tonsofsupplies.TheCareCentrewillhelpexpandthehospital’scapacityforpatienttreatment,whichhasbeenstrainedasthenumberofcoronaviruscasesontheislandshasrisen.Samaritan’sPursePresidentFranklinGrahamsaysthattheirteamsrespondtothehardplaces
inJesus’Nametomakeadifferenceinthelivesofhurtingfamilies.TheAieldhospitalhaspreviouslytreatedhundredsofCovid-19patientsinItalyandNewYork.
– TheChristianPost
And Inspiring Talkwww.96three.com.auPhone: 03 5241 6550Email: [email protected]
Samaritan’s Purse Deploys Field Hospital To Bahamas
IRAN:UndergroundChurchGrowingApaceIran's‘underground’housechurchmovementisbeingfuelledbyexplosivesocialmediauseandsatellitetelevision,accordingtonewAindings.MiddleEastsatellitebroadcasterSAT-7revealsthousandsofIraniansregularlytuneintoChris-tianprogramsthatair24/7inFarsi,thelanguagespokenbymostIranians.SAT-7’ssocialmediachannelsreportanincreaseinonlinetrafAicbyIraniansduringtheCOVID-19pandemic.Therewerealmost5,000onlineinteractionsduringJulyandAugust,a34%increaseoverthesameperiodlastyear.ThenumberofChristiansinIranissurg-ing20%ayear,makingitthefastestgrowingchurchmovementintheworld,accordingtoare-portfromChristianNewswire.Muchofthesky-rocketingchurchgrowthinIranistakingplace
behindcloseddoors.It'sillegalforChristianstosharetheirfaithwithnon-ChristiansorholdchurchservicesinFarsi.IfcaughtChristiansriskarrest,imprisonment,beatings,andevendeath.
– ChristianNewswire
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FAITH NEWS FROM AROUND AUSTRALIA with Stan HuntFAITH NEWS FROM AROUND AUSTRALIA with Stan Hunt
FreeTGCTVAppNowAvailableTheGospelCoalitionhasjustlaunchedAppleTVandRokuapps.TheAirstseasontopremiereontheappistheEchoesOfTheReformation series.ThisseriesbeganwithitspilotepisodeonReformationSunday,25October.NewepisodeswillbepublishedeachSundaythereafterforatotalofsixepisodes.Thisse-riesfeaturesAlbertMohler,KevinDeYoung,andTrevinWaxastheydiscussaspectsoftheFiveSolasOfTheReformation. ThefreePDFstudyguideisalsoavailablefordownloadfromTGC’swebsite.
– thegospelcoalition.orgTowardsPokerMachinesReformAustraliahasthegreatestgamblinglosses,perhead,ofanynationintheworld,accordingtotheAllianceForGamblingReform.Theselossestotalalmost$24
billionperyear– unsurprising,givenalmost20%oftheworld’spokiesareinAustralia.RevTimCostello,ChiefAdvocatewiththeAlliancesaysthereisnogamblingreforminAustraliabecausebothsidesofpoliticsarecapturedbythegamblingindustry.Hesaysthe‘easymoney’raisedingamblingrevenueis‘thecorruptionofbothsidesofpolitics’,andthisiswherechurchescanstepinandraiseawarenessofcorruption,crime,domesticviolenceandhungrychildren.MrCostellosaysreformmeansshorterhours–pokermachinesnotopenfrom9amto5am,limitingbetsto$1spinsandslowingpokerma-chines.down.MrCostellowasspeakingduringGam-blingHarmAwarenessWeek,19-25October.
– EternityNewsatbiblesociety.org.au
READ: READ: The Practicality Of ChristianityThe Practicality Of Christianityby David Holden at www.defenceofthefaith.org
NSW Church Leaders Urge Government To Stay With Plans For Gambling ReformChurchleadersarepleadingwithMPs tobacktheNSWGovernment'splansforastate-issuedgam-blingcard,warningthatharmminimisationmeasuresaresofargrosslyinadequate.ThegovernmentwantstomovetocompletelycashlesspokermachinesandrequireplayerstoregisterforagamblingcardinthemostsigniAicantgamingreformsinthestate'shistory.TheSydneyMorningHerald reports thechangeswouldmeangamblersmustregisterandpre-loadmoneytothecard,whichwouldoperateinasimilarwaytocashlesscardsforpublictransport.For-merlong-servingstateLabortreasurerMichaelEganisalsourgingbackbencherstostaystrongagainstacampaignbytheClubsindustry,whichvehementlyopposestheproposal.AlettertoMPsfromseniorfaithleadersinSydneycallsonMPstobackthe‘boldreform’.– SydneyMorningHerald
It’sHardToKeepTrackOfAllGovernmentDecisionsRelatingToChurchesDuringLockdown,But:NewSouthWaleshasaltereditsrestrictionsonworshipgatheringsafterachurchleadercriticisedthegovernmentforbeingcontradictoryanddiscriminative.HillsongChurchfounderBrianHoustoncomplainedaboutthestate'sguidlines,whichallowedfor300peopletoattendweddingsbutonly100toattendaregularchurchservice.SpeakingonTheTodayShow,PastorHoustonhitoutattherules,insistingthatchurcheswerebeingleftbehindwhilelarge-scalesportingeventswerepermit-ted.NSWTreasurerDomPerrottetlaterannouncedthatchurchesandplacesofworship,excludingweddingsandfunerals,‘canhaveupto300people,subjecttoaCOVID-19safetyplan’.Earlier,theAn-glicanArchbishopofSydney,GlennDavies,saidthathehadraisedconcernswithstateHealthMinis-terBradHazzardaboutthe‘inconsistencies’surroundingthevirusrestrictions.Thearchbishopwelcomedthenewguidance. – TheTodayShow
VISITING MELBOURNE?ST KILDA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Cnr Alma Rd/Barkly St.
BALACLAVA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Cnr Hotham St/Denman Rd.MINISTER: Rev Luke Isham 0437 672 530
You’re Welcome to gather with us online on Sundaysfirst on YouTube premiere at 11am followed by a question time on Zoom.
– A Friendly, Caring, Bible-Believing Christian Fellowship –
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MATTERS FOR PRAYERMATTERS FOR PRAYER withwith Elizabeth KendalElizabeth Kendal
ElizabethKendalistheauthorofTurnBackTheBattle:IsaiahSpeaksToChristiansToday (DerorBooks,Melbourne,Australia,Dec2012)whichoffersaBiblicalresponsetopersecutionandexistentialthreat;andAfterSaturdayComesSunday:UnderstandingTheChristianCrisisInTheMiddleEast (WipfandStock,Eugene,OR,USA,June2016).Seewww.ElizabethKendal.com
PLEASE PRAY THAT THE LORD OUR GOD WILL:•causeasupernaturalpeacetowellupasaspringwithintheheartsofSam,MaryamandLydia;maytheylooktoJesusfor'rest'(Matthew11.28);maytheSpiritofGodbringconAidenceandhope(Psalm3.3)andmayallpersecutedandthreatenedIranianChristiansknowtheintimateclosenessoftheirfaithful,compassionateandsovereignHeavenlyFather(Romans8.31-39).•interveneinIrantostirupindignationoverLydia'scase;weprayespeciallyforJudgeMuhammadHassanDashtiandGrandAyatollahsNaserMakaremShiraziandYousefSaanei;maytheSpiritoftruthenlightentheirminds,maytheSonenlightentheirheartsandmaytheGodofcompassionAillthemwithaburningindignationthatcannotbecontained.•intervenesothatthestatewillrelentofthisshamefulrulingsothatLydiamightremainwithSamandMaryam,andsonootherChristianfamilywillhavetofearorsuffersuchacruelty.
'OHolySpirit,Grantmethefaiththatwillprotectmefromdespair...'– DietrichBonhoeffer
(LettersAndPapersFromPrison,MorningPrayers,Christmas1943).
IRAN: The High Cost Of DiscipleshipOn1July2019IranianChristianconvertsSamKhosravi(36)andhiswife,MaryamFalahi(35),wereamongeightChristiansarrestedduringraidsbytheMinistryofIntelligenceandSecurityinIran'sPersianGulfcityofBushehr.WhileSam'smother(61)wasreleasedbecauseofherage,theremainingsevenbelievers(fourmenandthreewomen)wereconvictedofspreading'propagandaagainstthestate','collusion',and'member-shipofagrouphostiletotheregime'.On21June2020thefourmenwerehandedcustodialsentencesofuptooneyearinprisoneach.Samandhisbrother,Sasan,receivedone-yearjailtermsafterwhichtheywillfaceworkrestrictionsandberequiredtoserveafurthertwoyearsininternalexile.ThethreewomenwereAinedandMaryam,whoisanurse,wasalsobannedforlifefromworkinginthepublicsector(includinghospitals).Therulingsarebeingappealed.Asifthatwerenotenough, on19July2020,inarulingthathasonlyjustcometolight,thecourtalsoorderedthatSamandMaryam's20-month-oldadopteddaughter,Lydia,bereturnedtostatecarebecause,asChristians,SamandMaryamwere'notAit'toraiseher.SamandMaryamadoptedLydia,whohasspecialneedscausedbyheartandgastrointestinaldiseases,fromanorphanageinFebruary2019whenshewasjusttenweeksoldandhavelovedandcaredforhereversince.JudgeMuhammadHassanDashti appearedreluctanttohanddowntheruling,leavingobserversconvincedhewasactingunderpressurefromMOIS.Inhisverdict,JudgeDashtiacknowledgedthatLydiadisplayedan'in-tenseemotionalattachment'toheradoptiveparents.Helamentedthat'consideringthehealthofthechildandherillness,thereiszeropossibilityofgivingherawaytoanotherfamily.Ifthechildreturns[totheorphanage],itispossiblethatshewouldbeforeverundertheprotectionoftheWelfareDepartment'.Withevidentsympathy henotedthatSamandMaryamadoptedLydiabecause'in13yearsofmarriage,[they]didn'thaveachildtobringlightandwarmthtotheirhome',beforesubmittingthatLydia(deemedMuslimbythestate)shouldneverhavebeenplacedintheircare.Inseekingtooverturntheverdict, thecouple'slawyerobtainedfatwas(religiousrulings)fromtwoGrandAy-atollahs.GrandAyatollahNaserMakaremShirazidecreedthatdueto'necessity'thechildmaystayinthefamilyandthattheadoptionistherefore'permissible'.GrandAyatollahYousefSaaneiconAirmedthattheadoptiondoesnotviolateIranianlaw,anddecreedthatthechild'sreligionshouldbedeterminedatpuberty.Despitethis, on22September,theappealscourtupheldtherulingandorderedthatLydia(nowjustshyofhersecondbirthday)beremovedfromSamandMaryam'scareandreturnedtotheorphanage.Thecasehaspromptedanoutpouringofsympathy. Advocatesareappealingforprayer,thatthestatemightrelentandallowSamandMaryamtokeepandcareforLydiaastheiradoptedchild.Thisiscriticallyimportant,notonlyforSam,MaryamandLydia,butforallIranianChristianswithadoptedchildren.
NEW LIFE – 1 November 2020 – Page TenNEW LIFE – 1 November 2020 – Page Ten
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ENQUIRIES:Website:hQps://capernwrayaustralia.org/Email:[email protected]:0248681516
SGA Makes Christmas An Opportunity For EvangelismTheSlavicGospelAssociation,whichpartnerswithchurchesthatcelebrateChristmason25Decem-berand7January,hasplanstodistribute50,000Children’sBibles toRussianchildrenthisChristmas.TheImmanuel’sChildChristmas programprovideschurcheswithanevangelisticopportunity.Inprevi-ousyear’swholefamilieshavecometofaithinChristduringtheevents.MinistryPresidentMichaelJohnson saysTheImmanuel’sChild program2020planstobeaspecialblessingtofamiliesinthisdifAiculttime.Hesaysthepandemicthisyearhaswreckedthenation'seconomy.Manyparentshavelosttheirjobsandsocan'tsupporttheirfamilies.ApartfromtheChil-dren’sBibles,Immanuel’sChild providesChristmaspresents,aStarofBethlehemornamentinscribedwith‘JesusLovesYou’andfollow-upforparentsandchildrenwhorespondtotheGospel.TheSlavicGospelAssociation spreadstheGospelintencountriesoftheformerSovietUnion.
– OneNewsNow
FROM ALL QUARTERSFROM ALL QUARTERS
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BaptistsRespondToPopes’StatementInresponsetoPopeFrancis’endorsementofsame-sexcivilunions,BaptistleadersreiteratetheircommitmenttotheauthorityoftheBible’steachingregardingsexualityandmarriage.PopeFrancis’endorsementcamewhilebeinginter-viewedinthedocumentaryFrancesco,whichpre-mieredrecentlyattheRomeFilmFestival.‘Homosexualpeoplehavetherighttobeinafam-ily’,thePopesays.‘Wehavetohaveacivilunionlawsotheyarelegallycovered.Thepope’sstate-
mentclearlycontradictswhathasbeenthelong-standingteachingoftheRomanCatholicchurchaboutsame-sexunions.RonnieFloyd,PresidentandCEOoftheSouthernBaptistExecutiveCom-mittee,saystheauthorityonsexualityandmar-riageistheBible.‘Nomatterwhatapope,pastororelectedofAicialsays,theydonotgettodeAinesexualityorthefamily,MrFloydsays.God,theCreatordoes,andonthisHisWordcouldnotbeclearer.
– BaptistPress
Knowing J.I. PackerAnewbookaboutthelifeandthoughtofthelateJ.I.PackerhasbeenreleasedbyHodderandStoughton.WrittenbyAlisterMcGrath,thebriefmemoirreAlectsonDrPacker’sengagingwritingstyle,alongsidehisseamlessintegrationofalovingandattentivereadingoftheBible.DrMcGrathsaysthatDrPacker’sbooksweavetogethertheologyandworkingoutoftheChristianfaithinholylivingandprayingadoration.PerhapshismostinAluentialbookwasKnowingGod.DrPackerde-scribedwritingthatbookas‘exploringthebiggestthingthatevertherewas’.DrMcGrathrecallshischurchministersaying‘itseemsthatwheneverthereisacriticalquestionfacingtheChurch,DrPackerwritesahelpfulbookaboutit’. – InspireMagazine(TheBannerOfTruthMagazine Number685islargelydevotedtorememberingDrPacker.Seebanneroftruth.org – Ed)
KERANG BAPTIST CHURCH IS SEEKING A SUITABLE CANDIDATETO FILL THE ROLE OF SENIOR PASTOR
Kerang is situated in Northern Victoria 280 km from Melbourne.The church has an average attendance of 115 people from across all age ranges.
We are seeing a Senior Pastor who will:• Be called to Kerang Baptist Church • Stand firm on the truth of God’s Word and the power of prayer.
• Support and promote programs within the church to encourage our members to spiritual growth and relationship.• Share God’s heart for the lost in our town, district, nation and world, passionately leading our church to reach out to the lost world outside.
The Pastor will be supplied with a 4 bedroom house located next to the church property which has been recently painted,has new air conditioning, new carpet fitted throughout and has a secure backyard.
More information can be found on the church website kerangbaptist.org.auFor a position description and church profile:
Contact: Les Smith 0429 640 066 email: [email protected] date for applications is 15 November.
Kerang Baptist Church exists to Glorify God, to encourage fellowship and unity, to nurture spiritual growth,based on God’s Word and to present Christ to the community and this lost world.
AuthoritiesintheLaoprovinceofSalavanchasedsevenChristiansfromtheirhomeson10October,forcingthemtoliveinmakeshifthutsinthewoodsbecausetheyrefusedtorenouncetheirfaith,eventhoughanationallawprotectstheirfreeexerciseofreligion.TheChristianswereforcedto\leetothefor-est,wheretheyarelivingwithoutenoughfoodandbasicamenitiesinasmallmakeshifthut.De-spiteeffortsbyfamilymemberstoprovidehelptotheChristians,villageauthoritiesreportedlywillnotallowrelativesorotherpeopletohelpthem.‘Theirfamilymembersaretooscared [tohelpthem]andfearthey,too,willbethrownoutoftheirhomesiftheydaretoprovideanyhelp,’alocalvillagertoldaforeignnewsagency.‘Theyhavenofoodorclothinganddonotknowwheretoturnforhelp.Thevillageauthoritieswillnotallowrelativesorotherpeopletohelpthem.’
SuchcasesofdiscriminationandpersecutionagainstChristiansarenotuncommonintheBud-dhist-majoritycountry,wherebelieverscomprisejust3%ofthepopulation.VoiceoftheMartyrsnotesthatinLaos,ChristianityisviewedasanAmericanreligionorasatooloftheCIAtounder-minetheLaotianregime.InDecember,thecountrypassedalawstrengtheningtheprotectionofChristiansandal-lowingbelieverstopractisetheirfaithwithsomerestrictions.However,LaotianChristiangroupssayofAicialsinruralareashavecontinuedtothreatenandoppressbelieversandtreatthemassecond-classcitizens.OpenDoorsUSA,whichranksLaosamongcountrieswhereit'smostdifAi-culttobeaChristian,notesthatthecountry’sCommunistgovernmenthaspassedlawsthatmakeitdifAiculttobuildchurchesorconductreli-giousactivities. – LeahKlett,ChristianPost
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FROM ALL QUARTERSFROM ALL QUARTERS
LAOS: Authorities Force Christians To Flee Homes,Live In Woods For Refusing To Renounce Christ
Saturday31Octoberwasasigni\icantday inthelifeofthePresbyterianChurchofAustralia’sPartnerChurch,theEvangelicalPresbyterianChurchofTimorLeste.Inthelate1970s TimorLestehadbeensufferingforacoupleofyearsunderwhatwasoftenacrueloccupationbyIndonesia.Inthebeautifulfoothills oftheisland’ssouthliesSame(‘sar-may’),amajortown.ManyhadAledfromSameinfearoftheirlivesandforyearslivedinthemountains,oftenmovingeachdayfromplacetoplacetoevadetheIndonesiantroops.Somestarved,otherswerekilled.SomeAledfromthecountry.Manywereeventuallycaptured.OneofthecapturedmenwasaChristian, andwhentheIndonesiantroopssearchedhismeagrebelongingstheyweresurprisedtoAindaBible.Thecommandantaskedtheman‘Weweretoldthatyouwereallcom-munists.WhydoyouhaveaBible?’TheprisonerrepliedthathewasaChristian,notacommunist,atwhichpointthecommandantsharedthathetoowasaChristian.Afterthat,manyoftheprisonerswerere-leasedandthecommandantsetabouthelpingthemconstructachurchbuilding.Overtheyearsthatcongregationhasgrown tobe-comemanyhundredsofpeople.IthassupportedmanysmallgroupsofChristiansmeetingthroughoutthesouthernpartoftheisland.Whentheoriginal
churchbuildinghadreachedtheendofitslife,theSamecongregation,withgovernmentaid,builtthisbeautifulnewchurchbuilding.ThisSaturday,31October, thebuildingwillbeopenedwithgreatrejoicingintheLord’sprovisionwithformerPresidentofTimorLeste,DrJoséRamosHorta,participatingintheceremony.PleasepraythatthisbuildingwillalwaysbeusedforthegloryofGodandthespreadoftheGospelandthatthroughthiscongregation’sministry,manyintheManufahidistrictmaycometoknowtheLordJesusastheirSaviour.
– KevinMurray,Director,
AustralianPresbyterianWorldMission
TIMOR LESTE: Christ Is Building His Church
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Will Graham’s Tasmania CelebrationAbout To LaunchSavethedate! GetreadytolaunchtheTasmaniaCelebration onTuesday3November.GatheryourfamilyandfriendsandjoinWillGrahamfortheTasmaniaCelebration onlinelauncheventonTuesday3Novemberat7pmAEDT.Goto: https://tasmania.billygraham.org/online-launch-event/ towatch.You'llhearWillGrahamsharehisheartforthisregion,alongwiththeBillyGrahamEvangelisticAssociationCelebrationteamandchurchesacrossTasmania.Feelfreetoforwardthisnewstothoseyouwouldliketoinvite,andprayforamightymoveofGodinTasmaniain2021!
FAITH NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ...FAITH NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ... With STAN HUNTWith STAN HUNT
TheAgonyAndTheEcstasyOfWritingForTheLordAuthorandformermissionaryNaomiReedhadnoideahowintenseitwouldbetowriteherbookATimeToHope.Thenewdevotionalsystemati-callyworksthroughtheBible,fromGenesistoRevelation,over365days.Thebestsellingauthorsuggestedthedevotionalideatoherpublisherbe-causeshewasfrustratedwiththerandomstyleofBibleverseswhichwouldshowuponherFace-book feed.Receivinganenthusiastic‘yes’,MsReedbeganinFebruarylastyearandspentthework-inghoursofeverydaywriting.ShesystematicallyreadherBible,andwroteherreAlections,until
sheAinallyAinishedthemanuscriptinAugust.ShetoldEternityNews shehadnoideahowlongandintenseitwasgoingtobe.WhensheAinishedtheBible’slastchapter,MsReedsaysshecriedbe-causeofit’smostgloriousending.ForNaomiReed,reachingtheendwas,well,arevelation!
– EternityNewsatbiblesociety.org.auSRILANKA: PastorForcedToHaltMinistryAfterthreatsfrompoliceandBuddhistmonks,aSriLankanpastorhasbeenforcedtostophismin-istryinBakamuna,PolonnaruwaDistrictafterbeingthreatenedandintimidatedbypoliceandBuddhistmonks.
– BarnabasFund
EGYPT: More Churches ‘Licensed’Egypthasapprovedthelicensingofanother100churches.Thisisthe17thbatchoflicencestobeapproved,bringingthenumberofchurchesgrantedofAicialrecognitionto1,738.However,almost2,000churchesarestillwaitingtobegrantedlicencesundertheLawForBuildingAndRestoringChurches, introducedinSeptember2016.ItisillegalforChristians toworshipinanunlicensedchurchbuildinginEgypt.Butuntilthecom-mitteebeganworkin2017itwasextremelydifAiculttoobtainalicence.TheCabinet-afAiliatedlicens-ingcommitteeisheadedbyPrimeMinisterMustafaMadbouli. – BarnabasFund
Read Romans 10.13-15How Can They Hear Without A Preacher?
TURN BACK THE BATTLE: TURN BACK THE BATTLE: Isaiah Speaks To Christians Today.Isaiah Speaks To Christians Today.
With persecution escalating globally, Elizabeth Kendal calls us to revisit the prophecy of Isaiah,maintaining that Isaiah 1-39 provides an unambiguous treatise on how God's people are to respond to persecution, suffering and existential threat.
For purchasing options, visit: www.ElizabethKendal.com
CHINA: Cynical ‘Sinecising’ As Printers Face Arrest,Closure For Publishing Christian MaterialTheChineseCommunistPartyissteppingupenforcement ofitsbanontheprintingofChristianandotherreligiousmaterialbythreat-eningprintersandreprographicsbusinesseswithclosure,andownersandstaffwithlargefinesorimprisonment.BarnabasFundreportsthatthemanagerofaprintbusinessinLuoyangcity,inthecentralprovinceofHenan,saidhewasrefusingallordersrelatingtoreligiousbooksandmaterials.‘Anyreligiouscontentmakestheissuepolitical,notreligious,’hesaid.‘Althoughbannersonthestreetssaypeopleareallowedreli-giousbeliefs,theonlyfaiththeycanpractisefreelyisthatinthecom-munistparty.’Thebusinesswasrigorouslyinspected byCCPofficialsinSeptember2020.‘Theyscrutinizedallrecords,andevenlookedatpapersheetsonthefloortoseeiftheyhaveprohibitedcontent,’explainedthemanager.‘Ifanysuchcontentisfound,I’llbefined,orworse,mybusinesswillbeclosed.’ThemanagerofanotherprintworkssaidCCPofficialsareparticularlystrictaboutChristiantexts.‘Any-onewhotakesonsuchordersbreaksthelawandmightbeputintoprison’,hesaid.‘Thisisalinethatweabso-lutelycan’tcross.Aprintinghouseinthecitywascloseddownforprintingreligiousbooksandsomeofitsstaffwerearrested.’Religiousmaterialssentviapostalorcourierservices arelabelled‘contraband’.‘Onlythemailingofgovern-ment-approvedbooksisallowed,’saidastaffmemberatacourierbusiness.‘Allbookswith“badinformation”,includingreligion,arenotallowedtobedispatched.Ifpublicsecurityauthoritiesdiscoverviolationsoftheseregulations,thecompanywillbefinedandcloseddown.’In2018,theCCPblockedonlinesalesofBibles, alreadybannedfromphysicalbookstores,aspartofanewfive-yearplanto‘sinicise’(i.e.‘makeChinese’)Christianity.InarecentexampleofhowthepartyisselectivelyinterpretingScriptureinordertopromote‘thecorevaluesofsocialism’officialsrewrotetheNewTestamentac-countinJohn’sGospel(8.3-11)ofthewomancaughtinadulterytodepictJesusChristasa‘killerandasinner’.
– BarnabasFund
PERSECUTION WATCHPERSECUTION WATCH
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IVORYCOAST:31OctoberElectionPerilTensionsareboilinginIvoryCoastaheadofthecontroversialandpotentiallyexplosive31Octo-berpresidentialelection.PresidentOuattara'san-nouncementthathewouldrunforanunconstitutionalthirdtermhassenttensionssoaring.Inthesouth,clasheshaveerupted.Whiletheseclashesarepolitical,theyplayoutalongethnic-religiouslineswithnorthernMuslimsbackingOuattaraandsouthernpeoples,espe-ciallyChristians,backingtheopposition.Thebat-tle-linesmirrorthoseofNovember2010,whenadisputedelectiontriggeredethnic-religiousvio-lenceinwhichsome3000Ivoriansdied.Sincethen,thousandsofnorthernMuslimformer'rebels'havebeenincorporatedintothemilitaryandpolice,raisingthestakes.Inthecommercialcapital,Abidjan,on13AugustpoliceofAicerscol-ludedwitharmedpro-OuattaraMuslimmilitants,lettingthemattackoppositionsupportersunhin-dered.Thesituationisdire.Pleasepray.CHINA:CallForReleaseOfDetaineePersecutionwatchdogChristianSolidarityWorld-widehascalledforthereleaseofaChineseChris-
tianonahungerstriketoprotestherdetention.HumanrightsdefenderandformerlawyerZhangZhanhasspentmorethan150daysincustodyafterbeingdetainedforpostingvideosandarti-clesabouttheCOVID-19outbreak.AccordingtoPremierNews ZhantravelledtoWuhantoreportontheGovernment'sresponsetothevirus.Hervideosandarticleswerepostedonsocialmediaplatforms.Shequestionedwhethertheauthori-ties'responsetotheepidemicinfringedonhumanrights,CSWsays.Andshequestionedwhethertherehadbeenacoverup.ArrestedinWuhaninMay,shehassincebeendetainedattheDistrictDetentionCentreinShanghai.CSW’sPresident,MervynThomas,saystheyarecallingforZhangZhan’simmediateandunconditionalre-lease.Shehasbeenonhungerstrikesincethebe-ginningofJune,withstaffatthedetentioncentreforce-feedingher. – PremierNews: PLEASE NOTE:PLEASE NOTE:
New Life Australia Ltd greatly appreciates all donations,but we respectfully ask that cheques be made out to
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CHURCH AND NATIONCHURCH AND NATION
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‘Theendjusti\iesthemeans’, isaphrasewhichisoftenusedinpoliticsandbusiness,butitalsoappliestooursociallives.Theattractiontojustifyquestion-ableor‘greyarea’actionsinordertoachievewhatisconsideredtobeagreatergoodhasalwaysbeenatemptation.Sooftenweforgetourvaluesandprinci-plesiftheresultwe’reseekingishighlydesirable.TheChristianChurchandChristians aresusceptibletothistemptationofacceptinganymeanstoachievewhattheythinkareGod’splans.DownthroughhistorymanyunfortunateactshavebeencarriedoutinthenameofChrist,butwhichfelltragicallyshortofthevaluesandteachingsofChristHimself.Thecurrentsit-uationwiththeCoronavirusCOVID-19vaccineonceagainpresentsuswiththisage-olddilemma.COVID-19,andgovernmenteffortstocontrolit,havehaddevastatingglobaleffects.Inthespaceoflessthanoneyearwe’veseenamassivechangetothewaywework,moveandsocialiseinoursociety.Manypeo-plehavebecomeanti-social,suspiciousandinsomecasesfearfulofothersinthenewcultureofsocialdis-tancing,masksandlimitationsonourmovements.Thishasresultedinamassivesocial,psychological,economicandspiritualcostaswewitnesstheclosureofbusinesses,physicallockdowns,andthecollapseofrecreationandsport.EvenmoreimportantlyforChristianshasbeentheclosureofworshipservicesandChristiangatherings.OurFederalandStategovernments havepinnedtheirhopesonthedevelopmentandprovisionofavaccinetoenablethesafereconstructionofoureco-nomicandsociallives.Tothatend,ourGovernmenthasenteredintoarrangementswithAstrazeneca,de-velopersoftheOxfordVaccine,sothatshoulditbesuccessful,ourownCommonwealthSerumLaborato-riesmaymanufactureit.Undeniably,thesegoalsareobjectivelygood, tore-storetheeconomy,preventillnessandsavelives.However,Christiansmustalsomeasurethe‘means’.TheBibleteachesthathumanlifebeginsatconception(Psalm51.5)andthereforeisopposedtoabortion.However,thisvaccineandotherfront-runners,useabortedfoetalmaterialintheirresearchandproduc-tionprocesses.Dothesegoodandwholesomegoals,justifythemeanswewillhavetousetoachievethem?GlennDavies,ArchbishopofSydney, haswritten:‘Somewillhavenoethicalproblemwithusingtissuefromelectivelyabortedfoetusesformedicalpurposes.Othersmayregardtheuseofacell-linederivedfromanabortionperformedbackinthe1970’sasnowsuf-Aicientlyremovedfromtheabortionitselftobeexcus-able.Butothersagainwilldrawastraightlinefromtheendingofahumanlifeinabortionthroughthecul-tivationofthecell-lineformanufacturingthisvaccine.Evenifthecellshavebeenpropagatedforyearsina
laboratoryfarremovedfromtheabortion,thatlineofconnectionremains.TheywillbeconcernednottobeneAitinanywayfromthedeathofthelittlegirlwhosecellsweretakenandcultivated,nortobetrivi-alisingthatdeath,andnottobeencouragingthefoetaltissueindustry.’BioethicistMeganBest regardsthekeyquestionaswhetherornottherehasbeenmaterialcooperationwiththeevilactofabortion.Iftheabortionwascon-ductedinordertoharvestmaterialstobeusedforvaccinesthenitwouldbeimmoral.Underthisview,sincetheabortionwhichprovidedthecellsusedintheOxfordvaccinewerecarriedoutforotherreasons,andsincethetissuematerialwasacquiredafter,thenusingthevaccinedoesn’tendorseabortionbecauseitsusersarenotcomplicitwiththeoriginalevent.Thereisanadditionalethicaldilemma forbeliev-ers,whichisthedawningknowledgethatthereareothervaccinesonthechildhoodimmunisationsched-ulethatareverylikelytohavebeenproducedusingcellsderivedfromabortedhumanfoetaltissue.AsChristiansseekingtoactinwisdom andrigh-teousness,perhapswecanaskourselvessomeques-tions.Forexample,willagreaterevilcomeaboutfromrefusinganunethicalvaccine,ratherthanfromaccept-ingit?Byacceptingthevaccinewewouldbelovingourneighboursandseekingthecommongood,forinordertobeeffective,vaccinesneedalargemajorityofthecommunitytobedosed.Orwecouldaskwhetheroneshouldacceptavaccinethathasoriginatedfromanabortion,evenifgoodcomesfromit?EventhoughtheOxfordvaccineusescelllinesthatareover50yearsdistantfromthetimeoftheabortionandthesecellsarearguablynolonger'theactualcellsoftheabortedinfant',theoriginalevilstillstands.Manywillconsiderthistoogreatacom-promise,andtheuseofanyunethicalvaccineunten-able.Underthisview,thechoosingofthelesseroftwoevilsisneveranacceptablecourseofaction.PerhapswemightaskwhetherAindingandprovidingeffectivemedicaltreatmentsforCOVID-19,ratherthanfocussingsoheavilyonafast-trackedvaccine,isabet-teroption.Itisreasonabletoquestionwhysomecom-monplacemedicines,showntobesuccessfulintreatingavarietyofconditions,includingCOVID-19,havebeendismissedorbannedforuseintreatingCOVID-19.Onesuchoptiongainingacceptanceisthetri-therapyrecommendedbyProfessorBorody,com-prisingivermectin,doxycyclineandzinc.ProfessorBorody’streatmentprotocol,whenadministeredearly,hashadahighsuccessrate.Itisalsoreasonabletoquestion thewisdomoffast-trackingvaccinesatall.Normally,thedevelopmentofanydrugforcommercialsaleneedstopassarigoroustestingregimethattakesmanyyears.(Cont.onp.13)
Do The Ends Justify The Means In COVID-19 Vaccine Options?
CHURCH AND NATIONCHURCH AND NATION
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(ContinuedFromp12.)Fast-trackingavaccineislikelytoobscure anyseri-ousmediumandlongtermsideeffectsofthedrug.Furthermore,itmustbeacknowledgedthatthemoti-vationto‘wintherace’tocreateaCOVID-19vaccinemightnotjustbethehealthofcitizensandrestorationoftheeconomy,butalsothebillionsofdollarsofproAitthatmanufacturersandinvestorswillmake.SowhatisaChristiantodo? Ultimately,thisisaquestioneachofuswillpersonallyneedtoanswer.However,thereisoneclearpathwaythatChristian’scanagreewithArchbishopDaviesandmanyotherson,andthatasChristians,weshouldcallontheGov-ernmenttoprovideethicalalternativevaccines.Al-readyonesuchalternativevaccinethattheFederalGovernmentislookingat,isbeingdevelopedbytheUniversityofQueensland.AnagreementhasalreadybeenestablishedwithCSLtoproduce51millionvac-cinesshoulditprovetobesuccessful.AtthetimeofwritingIenquireddirectlywiththeappropriatede-
partmentandwasassuredthatnoabortedfoetaltis-suehasbeenusedinitsresearchanddevelopment.Weshouldbethankfulfor thegiftofscienceandes-peciallyfortheinroadsthatmedicinehasmadeincurbingdiseaseanddisability.ButasChristianswemustensurethatweareplacingourtrustintheLordandconsideringthewordsfromJob14.5whichsays,‘aperson’sdaysaredetermined;youhavedecreedthenumberofhismonthsandhavesetlimitshecannotexceed.’Nomatterhowhardwetry,(foritisGodwhoblessesmedicaltreatment)noonecanaddonemoredaytoourlivesbeyondwhatGodhasdetermined.ButneithershouldweforgetthatwehavearesponsibilitybeforeGodtoseekrighteousnessandjustice,andsoitmustfollowthatwherewecanpursueethicalmedicaltreatments,wemustdoso.Wearetobecarefulandconsidered,butnotfearful,forourhopeisbuiltonJesus’bloodandrighteousness,nothingless– andnothingmore.– RevChristopherDuke,Convener,
ChurchandNationCommittee,PCV.
How Do I Get My Church To Grow?Iaskedagrouprecentlyhowtheywouldgrowthechurch.WehadbeenstudyingtheBookofActs,whichdescribesthegrowthofthechurch,andIwasafterwhattheymightprescribefromtheirread-ings.SohowdoweanswerGod-typequestions?Whatisthefoundationfromwhichwestartallouref-forts?Itwasinterestingtoseemygroupstartwiththeirworldlywisdom:churchgrowthcomesfromshortermorefunsermons,bettercoffee,andchangingthemusic.Applyingwisdomacross\ieldscanbeuseful. Achurchthatwelcomesothersinaculturallyrelevantwaymakessense.However,thebiggerfoundationalstepistoask,‘Howdowe,asfollowersofJesus,approachanyquestions?’Forme,thecentralissueishowweseetheBible? IfthesameSpiritgrewthechurchbackinActs,throughthemessageofJesus’resurrection,thenthesameSpiritisatworktoday,throughthemessageofJesus’resurrection.TheBibleisthecentralwayGodrevealsHischaracterandplan.Itisthelensthroughwhichallquestionsandissuesareviewed.Growingthechurch,therefore,comesfromadeeperunderstandingofthewaytheHolySpiritgrowsthechurchintheBible.ThisiswhattheBookofActspointsto. ThekeytoActsisunderstandingthewaytheHolySpiritem-powerspeopletosharethegoodnewsoftheresurrectionofJesus.Fromthispoint,peoplemakeachoice.Somepeoplewanttoknowmore,whileotherssneerandrejectit.Itisimportanttoseethatre-jectionisasmuchpartofthechurchasgrowthis.Growingthechurch,fromtheBookofActs’perspec-tive,isaboutproclaimingthestoryofJesus.Thebestexampleofthisconceptwasthe16thCenturyReformation. TheproclamationoftheGospelwasattheheartofthegreatestrevivalever.Thegrowthofthechurchcamethroughthepro-cessofreturningtotheBibletoask,‘HowcanweberightbeforeGod?’Theanswer,ascounter-culturalasitwas,wasthatbeingrightwithGodisagiftthroughJesus.The\inalSundayinOctobertraditionallyistheanniversaryofthisReformation. Itisavisiblere-minderoftheimportanceofreturningtotheBibletoanswerourquestions,thekeytogrowingthechurchandthecentralmessageofwhoJesusisandwhatHehasdoneforus.AstheSpiritimprintsthismessageonpeople’shearts,God’spromiseisthatpeoplewillbechangedfromtheinsideout.Thisismorethanamarketingtrendaboutnewcoffeeoranewsignforthechurchcarpark.Anditisasrele-vantforourreformationnowasitwasbackinthe1500s.
– JeremyDover,Courtesy,PressServiceInternationalJeremyDoverisaformersportsscientistandPastor
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Glorious Things – A Protestant’s Guide To London• Revised! • Updated! • Illustrated! • Now Available As An e-Book!
Glorious Things will help visitors to London arrive well prepared to make the most of their time there.The guided tours will take you to places like Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral,
but Glorious Things will take you to important sites linked to our Protestant heritage.COST: $10 for the PDF version, with the right to print two hard copies.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:1. Cheque for $10 payable to New Life Australia. Mail to: PO Box 457, Mitcham Vic 3132.
(Please include a letter with your name and email address so that we can email the PDF to you.)2. Direct deposit $10 to Bank: Westpac; A/c name: New Life Australia Ltd
BSB: 033-112; A/c No: 16-8239 (Please also notify us by email).
Elizabeth Kendal’s New Book ...War! Destruction! Violent Persecution! Martyrdom! Forced Displacement!
For hundreds of thousands of now destitute Christian families, this is the new reality.Yet contrary to all appearances, God is at work in the Middle East.
‘Kendal’s book is a godsend to anyone who is at a loss to understand what lies behind the suffering in the Middle East. Drawingon authoritative voices from the region, her clear-eyed analysis untangles the conflicts with the heart and insight of a prophet.
– Jeff M. Sellers, Editor, Persecution News Service, Morning Star News.
For more information go to: www.ElizabethKendal.com
CAN YOU HELP US?CAN YOU HELP US?New Life Sincerely Thanks All Those Who So Generously Contributed To
Our Re-equipment Program. This Has Met Our Present Needs.Donations For General Purposes Are Always Welcome, Though
If You Can Join Us In Improving The Ministry Of New Life, Please Send Donations To:New Life Australia Ltd, PO Box 457, Mitcham 3132
or By Direct Deposit To: Account: New Life Australia Ltd.Bank: Westpac. BSB: 033-112. Account Number: 16-8239
PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: ‘NEW LIFE AUSTRALIA LTD’.PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: ‘NEW LIFE AUSTRALIA LTD’.
WHO CAN WHO CAN YOUYOUFORWARDFORWARD
NEW LIFE NEW LIFE TO?TO?
HerearethefactsabouttheresurectionofJesusChrist:•Anemptytomb(vv.1–9).•AnappearancetoMaryMagdalene(vv.10–18).•Anappearancetothedisciples(vv.19–23).•Asecondappearancetothedisciples,especiallyThomas(vv.24–29).•Athirdappearancetothedisciplesandacatchof153Aish.(John21.4–14).Whywasn’tThomaswiththeotherswhenJesusAirstappearedtothem?Perhapsfearofbeingarrestedkepthimaway.Orperhapsheislikesomepeoplewhowouldratherpondereventsalonethantalkitoutwithothers.WhentheotherstoldThomas theyhadseentheLord(v.25),hewassceptical.Heknewallaboutwishfulthinkingandopticalillusions.Hewantedtheproofthatonlytouchandsightcouldgive(v.25),otherwisehewouldnotbelieve.Jesusappearsagainand, knowingofThomas’statement,dealssympatheticallywiththedoubterbyofferingHishandsandside,andurgeshimto‘stopdoubtingandbelieve’(v.27).Finallyconvinced,ThomasthendeclaresthatJesusis‘MyLordandmyGod!’Hebelieves(v.28).Bygoodtradition, ThomastooktheGospeltoIndia,wherehewasmartyred.ThedoubtercametoAirmbeliefviatheresurrectionofChrist.Truebeliefhastwocharacteristics:aconvictionaboutwhoJesusisandacommitmenttoHiminevery-dayliving.Johnsayshecouldhavewritten ofmanymoresigns(v.30)buthasprovidedenoughevidence,
throughthewrittenrecordofthesignsinhisGospeltoformthebasisofbeliefinJesusandthustherealityofhavinglifeinHisname.Christianityisevidence-based, leadingtofaithinJesus(convictionandcom-mitment),andtheresultislifeinrelationshipwithGodthatisendless(anewqualityandquantityoflife).Johniswritingevangelistically,butprobablyalsotoencouragebelieverstokeeponbelieving.Ofallthemiraculoussigns intheGospel,thelastisthemostcompelling– Jesusdiesandisraised,makingnoconcessiontodeath.JohnCalvin calledtheresurrectionthemostim-portantarticleofourfaith.Hewrote:‘ThegloryofHisresurrection...causedHisdeathitselftobeasplendidtriumph.’John’sGospel,whichbeginsbyaf-AirmingthedeityofJesus(John1.1,14)nowdrawstoaclosewiththisaf-Airmation,‘LordandGod!’andtherepeatedpronoun,‘MyLordandmyGod!’
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION: Triumph And Glory – Read John 20.10–31
ToThinkThrough:AreyouconvictedofwhoJesusis?HaveyoumadeacommitmenttofollowHim?Whatwillthatlooklikeinyoureverydaylife?
†REPRINTEDFROM†OurDailyBreadJourneyThroughSeries®– JourneyThroughJohn byDavidCook
(Copyright©2017)PublishedByDiscoveryHouse.
UsedWithPermissionOfDiscoveryHouse.AllRightsReserved.
ForFurtherEnquiriesPleaseVisit:journeythrough.org
oremail:[email protected]
SEENONFACEBOOK:SEENONFACEBOOK:
JOURNEYING WITH JOHN with David CookJOURNEYING WITH JOHN with David Cook
NEW LIFE – 1 November 2020 – Page EighteenNEW LIFE – 1 November 2020 – Page Eighteen
When You Walk Through The Storm,Keep On Looking To The Lord
‘Iamanobjectofscorntomyaccusers;whentheyseeme,theyshaketheirheads.Helpme,OLORDmyGod;savemeinaccordancewithYourlove.LetthemknowthatitisYourhand,thatYou,OLORD,havedoneit’.
– Psalm108.25-27
Whenwegothroughtimesofhardshipanddif\iculty,whenwefeelthateverythingisworkingagainstusandtheforcesofevilaresostrong,powerfulandinvasivethatwecannevermusterthestrengthorresourcestowith-standagainstthem,weareinthesamesituationinwhichKingDavidoftenfoundhimselftobe.Thankfully,wehaveaccesstosongshewrote torevealthesecretthatenabledhimtocope,andgaintheupperhand.Psalm108isoneofthem.Threethingsintoday’sversesencouragemetolearnfromthisgodlyman.•First, suchexperiencesareanimportantpartofourspiri-tualjourneybecausetheyshowusveryclearlyhowhelplessweareonourown,andthereforehowdependentweareontheLORDforhelp.ThisisthesortofthingthatPaulreferstowhenhesays,‘But[God]saidtome,“MygraceissufAicientforyou,forMypowerismadeperfectinweak-
ness”.’(2Corinthians12.9),andwhatGeorgeMathesonmeantwhenhewrote,‘Isinkinlife'salarmswhenbymyselfIstand;imprisonmewithinThinearms,andstrongshallbemyhand…MywillisnotmyowntillThouhastmadeitThine;ifitwouldreachthemonarch'sthroneitmustitscrownresign;itonlystandsun-bent,amidtheclashingstrife,whenonThybosomithasleant,andfoundinTheeitslife.’•Secondly, Icandependcom-pletelyontheCovenant-keepingLORDtoprotectandcareformebecausethatwouldbe‘inaccor-dancewith[His]love(cheséd)'–the‘love’bywhichHe‘sealed’thecovenantwiththebloodofHisOnlySon.
•Thirdly, Ilearntomakeeveryefforttoensurethatothers(especiallymyfoes)KNOWthatitisnotmyownstrengthorwisdomorcapabilitythatachievesGod’sdivinepurposesandvictoriesinmylife,butthat‘itisYOURhand,thatYOU,OLORD,havedoneit.’– BruceChristian
NEW LIFE – 1 November 2020 – Page NineteenNEW LIFE – 1 November 2020 – Page Nineteen
WITH CHRISTWITH CHRIST
AND FINALLY ...AND FINALLY ...
LUCISWINDOLL,WomanOfFaith speakerwhobelievedinGod’sgraceandbeingherself,celewbratingalifeofsingleness,passedoninlateOctowber,aged88,aftercontractingCOVIDw19.LuciSwindollwroteapopularbookonChristiansinglenessinthe1980sandbecameoneoftheAirstWomenOfFaith speakersinthe1990swhentheorganizationlaunchedasacounterparttothemen’sministryPromiseKeepers.Swindoll,theoldersisterofprominentpreacherChuckSwinwdoll,hadamessageaboutGod’sgrace:‘Legalism
istheworstthingthateverhappenedtotheChurch,’shesaid.‘WhenIrealizedthatGoddealsingrace…itsetmefreetobewhoIreallyam.’thiswasathemesherewturnedtofrequentlyassheurgedChristianwomentoAindjoyandbewhoGodwantsthemtobe. x DanielSilliman,ChristianityToday
Image:NewLifeMinistriesThepicturesonp.20wereseenonFacebook byRevMosesJHahn,whosays:‘ThephotographerJozefMorgoštookthephotoofthesamecherrytreeinŽabokreky,Slovakiathroughoutthewholeyear’.Thewordsarethesecondverseofthehymn’TheYearIsSwiftlyWaning’.
NEW LIFE – 1 November 2020 – Page TwentyNEW LIFE – 1 November 2020 – Page Twenty
‘O THOU WHO CHANGEST NOT, ABIDE WITH ME’‘O THOU WHO CHANGEST NOT, ABIDE WITH ME’
‘The Ever-Changing Seasons
‘In Silence Come And Go,
‘But Thou, Eternal Father,
‘No Change Or Chance Can’st Know.’
ThephotographerJozefMorgoštookthesephotosofthesamecherrytreeinŽabokreky,Slovakiathroughoutthewholeyear’.Thewordsarethesecondverseofthehymn’TheYearIsSwiftlyWaning’.
