We’re tuning up our voices…to take part in tomorrow’s ‘Global Hymn Sing‘.
Author: Philip
PCV Moderator to visit
One of the responsibilities of being the Moderator (elected representative) of our denomination, is the task of visiting local churches throughout the state ov Victoria. Next Sunday, February 25th, is our turn to have that privilege and so to host the current Moderator, Rev Robert White, with his wife Sue. Robert has served in parishes in Tasmania (St John’s, Hobart) and Victoria (Essendon and Geelong West) and is now in his second year of being Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. He is pictured here leading the Communion service at the 2017 General Assembly.
‘Ministry with the mighty, merciful Messiah’ (Matthew 14:13-21)
The miracle of Jesus’ feeding of the multitudes is one that is found in all of the gospels. It served as a sign that he was Israel’s Messiah, the living Bread, who came down from heaven. In this message on that miracle found in Matthew 14:13-21, Chris explores what the miracle might have meant for the disciples back then and for disciples in this age. What attitude is required for us to be able to do ‘ministry’? And what is that we learn most of all about the one who was able to feed the multitude, but also said, “You give them something to eat”? (Sorry, sound quality not that great!)
‘The rights and wrongs of the Lord’s ‘general’ rule’ (Matthew 7:12)
A lot of people have made far too much of what is called the ‘Golden rule’ found in Matthew 7:12. While this verses is important in the whole context of all that Jesus said and taught, it is not, nor was it ever, the be-all and end-all of His teaching. The Golden rule can never save us – only God can do that! However, the Godlen rule does remain an important expression of what it means to ‘love our neighbour’ as God’s Word consistently teaches us. The danger comes when we place the Golden rule as the most important and neglect to love God (the first and greatest commandment).
Home Groups ‘up and running’ this week
With 2018 well under way, it’s time to get back to our Home Groups again – and they will be starting this week on Wednesday 14th February and Thursday 15th February.This year we’re kicking off with a study on Hosea. Check out our link here or contact us for more information.
Home Groups Launch dinner Thursday February 8
To launch our Home Groups for the year, we’re getting together for our annual ‘Home Group Launch dinner’ on Thursday night in the Hall. The dinner is open to all from the church family, but especially those who would like to be involved in a Home Group during 2018. (If you can’t make the dinner but would like to be involved in a Home Group, please let us know!’)
“Ask, seek and knock: What an incentive to pray!” (Matthew 7:7-11)
After instructing His disciples on how to avoid being careless in making evaluations of one another and then how to be careful with His Word and so make wise judgments, in Matthew 7:7-11, he then spoke about prayer. While it may at first glance seem that there is no connection between what Jesus had been saying in the previous verses and these ones, the connection is there and it is a strong one. If we are ever going to come close to doing what Jesus taught in verses 1-6, we’re also going to have to do verses 7-11 very well!
‘There is a time to judge! There is no question!’ (Matthew 7:6)
After Jesus warned his disciples to be careful of passing judgment on one another (Matthew 7:1-5), Jesus went on in Matthew 7:6 to say some words that are a little bit harder to understand. What is it about pigs and dogs that we must take note of? And, what did he mean by warning us ‘to be careful with what we do with our ‘pearls’? HIs words are weighty and they require some thought and some application!
Richard Johnson, the gospel and Australia
On this Australia Day, while much debate rages about many things in relation to our past, it’s good to be reminded how God’s Word was first planted on Australian soil…and one of the men He used to do the planting – Richard Johnson.
Richard Johnson was a man of the gospel and you can read his story here and after you have, join with us in praying that God would raise up many more like him to serve within this land ‘girt by sea’.
‘To judge or not to judge; that is the question!’ (Matthew 7:1-5)
The words of the Lord Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 7:1-5 are heavy and soul-searching, but they also require a great deal of thought and consideration if they are to be put into practise. These words have been misunderstood over time and probably also badly applied, but this does not excuse us from tackling both their implications and their correct application – which again (like so much in the Sermon on the Mount) is a matter of the heart.