Brendan Rayson spoke from Romans 5:1-11 about how Christ died for us. His death means we have peace with God and access to him through the Son because we have been justified by faith. It means we can rejoice, even in our suffering. We didn’t deserve this but it shows God’s love and grace.
Guest Speakers
Guest Sermon: Commander Mike Oborn (Mark 4:35-41)
At our Annual Seafarer’s service, Commander Mike Oborn preached from Mark 4:35-41 concerning the calming of the storm. Mike looked at the passage from his vast experience at sea and so from the perspective of a mariner. In doing so he pointed out that what Mark recorded about the storm on the lake and the fear of the disciples in the boat were both plausible. So too the stilling of the storm by which Jesus showed the extent of His power over all of creation. The disciples responded to him with a mixture of awe and fear. Our response to him is vital when we consider how it is that we must face him on the day of judgement.
Guest Conrad Mbewe on Titus 3
Conrad is the pastor of Kabwata Reformed Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, and is also known as the ‘African Spurgeon’. He spoke from Titus 3 about how Christians, by the grace of God, are different. The truth about Jesus our Saviour changes us from being led astray by foolish passions. Our lives ought to bear witness to this truth. We are urged to give up folly because it not only makes us ignorant of our mortality but also leads to our very destruction. Wisdom is to rely on God and his mercy.
‘Get up close’ (Acts 8:26-40 – Alan Canavan)
In this message, Alan Canavan (with Wycliffe/SIL) highlighted the text of Acts 8:26-40 concerning the conversion of the Ethiopian man in the desert, illustrating his message with examples from his experience as a missionary in Papua New Guinea for over 20 years. As a linguist, Alan focused upon the imperative commands in the text and also touched upon the need to trust the Holy Spirit’s prompting to share the good news of the gospel with those outside of God’s Kingdom.
Special Presentation: ‘Noah’s Ark’ (Genesis 6-9)
Rod Walsh, the ‘Ark Man’ from Creation Ministries International (CMI) presents compelling reasons why the account of ‘Noah and the Ark’ (in Genesis 6-9) can be treated as being trustworthy. While many regard the Ark as a fanciful tale for children, Rod explains that the Ark reminds us that God takes judgement seriously and has made a way of salvation for all who put their trust in the Lord Jesus.
‘Chasing after the wind’ (Ecclesiastes 1:1-18)
Commander Mike Oborn RAN, Executive Officer of HMAS Cerberus preached this message at the Annual Seafarer’s service based on Ecclesiastes 1. Mike spoke of how life can present itself as meaningless without God at the centre, and, with illustrations from his Navy career told of how the message of the book of Ecclesiastes (which presents life in this negative view) reinforces how our need to be right with our Creator.
‘Taming your tongue’ (James 3:1-12)
In tackling these verses from James 3, Joel Thomas reminds us that what we say is a big deal. Words can hurt and destroy when they should encourage and uplift. And the problem is our all at the tip of our tongues! It’s not enough to just keep our tongues from ‘speaking evil’. They should also ‘do good’ to others and promote the gospel.
‘Pride comes before a fall’ (Daniel 4:1-37)
Christian Tirtha spoke from Daniel 4 about the pride of King Nebuchadnezzar. He foolishly sought to build a kingdom without acknowledging God. Only after being humiliated did he turn and give God the glory he deserves. Our pride comes before a fall too but Jesus – who is humble and yet King of kings – offers us restoration. Are we too proud to receive it?
‘Passing the baton’ (2 Timothy 2:2)
Joel Thomas spoke from 2 Timothy 2:2 and encouraged us to pass the baton of the gospel. The gospel has come to us by God’s work through faithful people in the past. Unlike the Olympic relay, life is not a sprint and when we pass the baton, it remains with us too. As we entrust the gospel to the next generation, we run alongside, evangelise and train in such a way that they will pass it on too.
‘On prayer and praying’ (Matthew 7:7-29)
Rev Robert Carner, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria spoke from Matthew 7:7-29 highlighting the great responsibility and challenges we face if we are to become a people of prayer. Using examples from the prayer life of George Mueller, the words of Jesus, ‘Ask, seek, knock’ as well as tackling the question, ‘If God already knows then why pray?’, we were encouraged to commit ourselves to this high calling.