Following the raising of Lazarus, a dinner was held at his home at which Jesus was present. The dinner would have been interesting to be at – for there was a man who had been dead sitting next to a mean who would soon be dead. At this dinner, Lazarus’ sister Mary showed her gratitude to Jesus by an extravagant gift of perfume upon his feet, while Judas was revealed to be far more interested in the money he could have got from the perfume. Meanwhile the Jewish authorities continued to reject Jesus’ claims to be the Son of God and so determined to put Jesus and Lazarus to death – in order to get rid of the evidence that would support this claim.
Author: Philip
Quarterly Half Day of Prayer: August 31st
As part of our regular commitment to prayer as a congregation, we’ll gather together on Saturday August 31st from 2pm (’til about 4:30 or 5pm) to spend time in prayer. You’re welcome to join us in the church foyer as we meet to pray for revival, national and world needs, missions and missionaries as well as local needs (our own church family and ministries).
‘The greatest thing anyone can do for God and man is pray. It is not the only thing; but it is the chief thing. The great people of earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer, nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean those people who take time to pray.’ (S.D. Gordon)
‘Comfort and affliction in the fullest measure’ (John 10:19-42)
After claiming to be the ‘Good Shepherd’ who loves and dies for His sheep, Jesus went on to speak about the eternal security of His sheep. Because He is God and by His death saves His sheep completely, he can say that none of His sheep will be lost. Such truths are of great comfort to the believer, but also should cause discomfort to those who do not believe. If there is no salvation outside of Jesus, then no man or woman can have any hope of eternal security without belonging to Him.
Motor Isaac Yat, missionary to South Sudan
APWM Missionary, Motor Isaac Yat will speak of his call to and subsequent ministry in South Sudan during our morning service on Sunday August 25th. Motor will also share during our 4th Sunday lunch and than again at ‘Reforming’s’ 5pm service. There will be opportunities to give towards Motor’s financial support during these events.
‘The True and Good Shepherd of the sheep” (John 10:1-18)
After healing the man born blind in chapter 9, the conversation that Jesus had with the Pharisees centred upon the imagery of shepherds and sheep. The Pharisees’ actions in throwing out the man proved that they were not shepherds of God’s people. Jesus, however, claimed to be the one who truly loves the sheep by laying down his life for them. There is only one Good Shepherd who saves all who come to Him in faith. There is no other way of entering into the Kingdom of God.
Price Family farewelled
It was a happy/sad day for our church family as we farewelled Hugh, Hannah, Ken, Melody, Harmony, Joy, Lucy and Felicity Price on Sunday July 28. We were happy because Hugh has been appointed by the Presbyterian Church of Victoria’s Ministry Development Committee (formerly Home Missions Committee) to take up the responsibility of pastoring the Castlemaine/Carisbrook Presbyterian Churches as of Sunday August 4th – and this is good for the gospel in Central Victoria! But it was also sad because this means that we have had to ‘let go’ a dearly loved part of our church family. After commissioning them for the work in Castlemaine/Carisbrook during our morning service, farewells were said during lunch at which the Price Family gave a wonderful rendition of the hymn, ‘He leadeth me’. We will continue to pray that God will richly bless the preaching of His Word and this new ministry in His name and for His glory!
‘Healed eyes and hardened hearts’ (John 9:1-41)
After declaring that he was the ‘light of the world’ in chapter 8, Jesus then illustrated this by means of healing the man born blind in chapter 9. Though the man received his sight and his spiritual sight, the miracle not only confirmed Jesus’ claims to be the Messiah, but also revealed the hardened state of the hearts of the Pharisees who could only dismiss the miracle on the grounds that it had been done on a Sabbath. In doing so, they ignored the testimony of the formerly blind man which was, ‘I only know that I was blind, but now I can see’.
New home for Reforming!
We are pleased to announce that our daughter Church plant ‘Reforming’ (also known as South East Bendigo Presbyterian) has a new home at the Spring Gully Hall in Spring Gully Rd, Spring Gully (where else??). Join us there this week at 5pm
‘Hot topics – straight from the mouth of Jesus’ (John 8:31-59)
In John 8:31-59 Jesus was unafraid to speak openly about His claims to the Pharisees even though it cut across their understanding of truth. In a long debate between Jesus and the Pharisees, Jesus made some very significant claims as to His divinity, especially claiming to have lived long before Abraham, and that though the Pharisees claimed to be descended from Abraham, this did not make them right with God. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus not by the process of birth.
Home Groups … looking back, moving forward…Deuteronomy!
Deuteronomy…hard to spell, sometimes hard to grasp! Our Home Groups will be launching into this incredible Old Testament book during Term 3. Contact us if you’d like to join a group! Commencing very soon!