Building for Eternity
Hilary Brown
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Posts by Hilary Brown
CHARLSIES Angels February Newsletters
2 months ago
Michael & Jo Charles with their children, Sam, Caleb, Emma & Lola are working and serving God with Church Mission Society and are placed in Santiago, Chile.
We’ve received a flurry of newsletters this week with three arriving all dated February with family celebrations and news and information.
Why not download a copy, be informed and pray for the Charles family in Chile.
Happy Birthday Sam – Newsletter 90: 2012 02 Feb 08 Charles Newsletter 90
Happy Birhtday Emma – Newsletter 91: 2012 02 Feb 13 Charles Newsletter 91
2011 In Review – Newsletter 92: 2012 02 Feb 20 Charles Newsletter 92
Promoting the Gospel…. through Christian Behaviour—Being Beautiful
This chapter of John Dickson’s book complements the previous one. Whereas last week we looked at the deeds of the whole church which promote the gospel, this week the focus lies more on individual godliness which can win the hearts and minds of others for the gospel.
This is made explicit in 1 Peter 3:1-2 where we are encouraged that a Christian wife can win over her unbelieving husband without words but by the purity and reverence of her life.
The same truth can be applied to relationships where one party is not a Christian (and perhaps even hostile) – whether between teenagers and parents, between friends, or in the workplace.
John Dickson says,
For a ‘talker’ like me, one who is tempted to think the conversion is the domain of the evangelist alone, this is an important lesson to learn. How I live from day to day can also win people over to faith in the gospel.
This is not to deny that ‘faith comes from hearing the message’ (Rom 10:17) but to properly emphasise that the example of our lives are key factors in the process of others being ready to hear that message.
Titus 2:10 reminds us that the life of self-control, humility, integrity and love will make the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ attractive.
Scott Goode,
Assistant Pastor
When God nudges us
I read a story the other day that nudged my thinking about prayer.
‘A blind lady was out on her regular walk with her seeing eye dog. Unbeknown to her a car was blocking a driveway a few paces ahead of them. At that moment the dog paused and gently pressed his shoulder against the woman’s leg, signalling her to step aside to get around the car.’
I expect that she normally followed the dog’s lead but it appears that this was her regular route and she knew there was no turn in this section. ‘She wouldn’t move to the side, she didn’t trust her guide. She signalled to the dog to move ahead which resulted in the dog pressing his shoulder against her leg trying to guide her to the safe path. This was repeated again until the owner kicked the dog and strode off straight into the side of the car.’
As Christians we talk about the value of prayer but often the answers we receive don’t suit our experiences. God nudges us towards His purposes and guides us towards what is best for His kingdom and ultimately us. However, we continue to overrule God as if we know better.
We should pray and we should take notice of the answer we receive, particularly through God’s written word. We ignore His at our peril.
Stephen Semenchuk,
Senior Pastor.
To view this weeks bulletin, click on this link: 12 FEB2012
Promoting the Gospel…with our prayers
3 months ago
This week at our Sunday services and small groups we are exploring what John Dickson calls the ‘hidden mission’ of promoting the gospel with our prayers. In chapter 4 of Dickson’s book we are encouraged in a refreshing way that ‘evangelism is grounded in heartfelt prayer.’ Jesus looked at all the opportunities in village after village throughout the land of Israel and did what? He told his disciples to…pray: ‘Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers…’
In the New Testament we are to make prayer for an unbelieving world at the core of our mission. Moreover, it is equally important to pray specifically on behalf of those who give their time to telling the gospel to others. Of all the things that we are encouraged to pray for, it is the work of the gospel that is most common.
Prayer is so critical because we lift the work of the gospel above mere circumstances and into the hands of the One who governs everything. We may not feel confident to speak to others about salvation, but all of us can be confident speaking about others to the Saviour Himself. Doing so is a fundamental expression of both dependence upon God and commitment to His mission.
Next week: Promoting the Gospel with our money.
10am and 7pm next Sunday will be tackling this important topic through a live and interactive panel. Come prepared to text your questions and tweet your comments live. For 7pm you can even submit your video question in the week prior. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for our church family to think together about how to use our resources to promote the gospel.
Scott Goode,
Assistant Pastor