This is the latest blurb that is published on the front of our weekly bulletin

What’s your opinion?

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In the next few weeks leading up to Easter, we’re wanting to hear from everyone in the village and valley of Jamberoo about who you think Jesus is.

He’s the most famous person in history, and most people have got some sort of opinion about him.

Some think Jesus was a great teacher who told people about how to live in a wise and caring way.

Some think Jesus was a miracle worker who was able to help the sick and feed the poor.

Some think Jesus was a religious leader who divided his people and was executed because of his controversial teachings.

Some think Jesus was God himself, who lived, died and rose from the dead to bring eternal life to his followers.

Some think Jesus is no longer relevant and whose teachings stop fundamentalists from progressing in modern views.

What about you? Who do you think Jesus is? What do you think about his words and his works?

Jesus was a controversial figure when he walked on earth 2000 years ago, and he remains just as divisive today.

But if you’ve formed an opinion about Jesus without reading anything in the Bible, then its likely you’ve misunderstood who he is and what he’s like.

Because many of us think that he is the most amazing person who ever lived… and who continues to live, today, in Heaven.

If you’ve not given him much thought, then as we lead up to Easter you should spend a moment reflecting on who Jesus Is___

Our church is holding special ‘Jesus Is___’ talks during our 5pm Saturday and 9am Sunday services… and it’s especially relevant and welcoming to people who haven’t come along for a long time or for ever.

So what are you waiting for? Come and join us this weekend, and bring along your opinions… we’re interested!

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo: slimmer_jimmer via Flickr.com)

Gospel First Aid

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When I attended my initial first aid training, I was told that my job was simply to keep the patient alive until the ambulance arrives.

I needed to learn how to react automatically so that I could stop the bleeding, cool the burn, or keep oxygen-filled blood moving to the brain.

There’s no time in an emergency to consult books or watch ‘how-to’ videos… you’ve got to react fast so that you can keep someone alive until help arrives.

But what about spiritual first aid?

If someone wants to find out how to become a follower of Jesus, then what ‘gospel first aid’ would you administer to them?

As a young Christian I was trained in the ‘Two Ways to Live’ gospel outline, and it’s something that every follower of Jesus can benefit from.

But if you’ve got ten seconds to tell someone how to be saved from God’s judgement and receive eternal life, then what would you say?

Well, probably the simplest, most direct summary is, “Jesus is Lord”.

For we read in the Bible that:

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

So, just say, “Jesus is Lord”.

And then you can easily flesh that out a little bit by telling the person that they need to ask Jesus to be their Lord.

Then, when they come to follow Jesus, they can start to learn more about the amazing way that Jesus brought reconciliation through his death and resurrection.

But to give people the gospel first aid to help them survive God’s judgement, they just need to know and believe that Jesus is Lord.

And because Jesus rose from the dead, they can have totally confidence in him, for eternity.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: The NRMA via flickr.com)

Prayer for the Pandemic

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In a year that has seen bushfire and flood emergencies, we are now bracing for a further escalation of the ‘Coronavirus’.

As fears grow that the COVID-19 virus will soon be declared a global pandemic, our Prime Minister has now announced the launch of a plan to respond to the rapid and uncontrollable spread of this disease.

Like the fire and flood emergencies, we are again facing an emergency that we are powerless to control in our own strength.

This is the same realisation that drove so many Australians to their knees in prayer, as we collectively asked the true and living God to send saturating rain to quench the flames and the drought. 

Now is the time for our world to gather to ask the Lord of the universe to miraculously stop the spread of this destructive disease, and to help restore communities crippled by the effects of this virus.

When we pray, we acknowledge our powerlessness and our need for a genuine, super-power.

For if Trump and Jinping, are unable to come up with a way to fix this crisis, then again it shows that faith in technology is no match for faith in Jesus.

And so, as we prayed for rain to fix the fires and drought, let us pray that God would stop the spread of this virus.

Yet above all, pray that this global threat might lead people to acknowledge their genuine need of Jesus, and bring them to genuine repentance and true faith in Christ.

For the same Lord who stopped the plague when King David repented of his arrogance (2 Samuel 24:25) is the same Lord who is also able to answer our prayer for our planet.

Let us pray that our planet might come in great number before the Lord in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Alexander Mueller via Flickr.com)

Why we need judgement

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We have been shocked and saddened to hear about the horrific deaths of a Brisbane mother and her three, young children.

In what appears to be an appalling incident of domestic abuse, we feel a deep sadness as images of the once-happy-looking family are splashed over our media.

One of my facebook friends shared a news report of the incident, and the simple comment was, ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’

It is right for us to long for the return of Christ to come and bring an end to this world full of sin, death, and tragedy.

It is right for us to long for Jesus’ return to judge the living and the dead, and to bring justice to those who have been victims of harm and abuse.

And above all, it is right for us to long for a time when those who trust in Jesus will live in the new heavens and the new earth, a world with no more tears.

For this to happen, we need to pray for judgement and justice, and we need to ask for God to punish those who have committed crimes against the innocent.

Yet as we we ask for justice, we all need to plead for mercy, for the Bible tells us that all of us have rebelled against God and deserve his judgement.

However the greatest miracle of all is that Jesus, the judge, promises to take the punishment we deserve upon his own shoulders, and now look at us as though we had never committed any wrongdoing, ever.

All we need do is ask for his forgiveness, and trust in him as our loving ruler for life.

For we read these powerful and comforting words in the Bible:

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. (Romans chapter 5 verses 8 and 9)

JODIE McNEILL

(Image of flowers from a make-shift memorial, near where the family died. From ABC News).

If you or anyone you know needs help:

Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Headspace on 1800 650 890
ReachOut at au.reachout.com
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) on 1800 008 774

kNOw domestic abuse

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It is tragic that one of the most beautiful concepts within the Bible is so easily distorted and used to harm others.

This concept is the equal and complementary roles within marriage that help us understand the glorious service of Jesus for the church, and his self-sacrificial love for Christians.

Yet sadly, we live in a world where sin and selfishness lead us to disobey God and to harm others for our own benefit.

This is why domestic abuse is a reality amongst people in our society, including Christians in the church.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, including women, children and men, no matter where you live, your culture or religion, or your level of education.

But as we consider this, we must remember that domestic abuse is not just about getting angry or being in a bad relationship.

Instead, domestic abuse is a “pattern of behaviour, based on exerting power and control over another, causing fear and intimidation” (www.knowdomesticabuse.church).

The Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney has recently produced an excellent website, with printed support material, to help promote and support safer environments “that recognise equality between all people, including husbands and wives and promote a culture of healthy relationships of mutual responsibility and respect in marriages, families and congregations”.

Please visit the www.knowdomesticabuse.church website to read more about how to respond to domestic abuse in your home or in the lives of others you know.

And as this website reminds us, we must remember that the Bible “rejects all abuse, whether physical, verbal, or otherwise expressed from one person towards another and always condemns the misuse of power to control or exploit others. Therefore domestic abuse is evil.”

Are you or someone you know living with domestic abuse? Talk to someone at church you trust, or visit the www.knowdomesticabuse.church website.

JODIE McNEILL

Will you wear a ‘Jesus Is___’ t-shirt?

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During March and April, Anglican Christians throughout Wollongong and beyond will be wearing ‘Jesus is___’ t-shirts and other merchandise.

We’re praying that it will get lots of people talking and thinking about the identity of Jesus.

You might think that it’s a bit ‘out there’ wearing it, but a really good reason to put it on is because you want to show that you’re not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus!

As we read in 1 Peter 4:16, “…if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name”

So the first reason to wear a “Jesus Is___” t-shirt is to go public for Jesus, to be unashamed that you’re connected to Christ.

For we know it’s only by calling on the name of Jesus that people can be saved (Acts 4:10, 12), and that means we need to get people talking about Jesus.

The second big reason to go public this way is to harness the power of synergy… that we can achieve more together than the sum of our individual efforts.

One person wearing a ‘Jesus is___’ t-shirt won’t be noticed for long, but if hundreds of people from across the region do, then it will create an impact.

Or, instead of a t-shirt, you could try a small badge on your lapel, or wear a wrist-band, or a “Jesus is ___” coffee keep cup, or a bumper sticker for your car or pencil case.

You could even just change your Facebook profile picture to temporarily include the ‘Jesus is ___’ artwork.

The third big reason is that when you wear it, someone might ask you, “what’s the deal with all those T-shirts… I keep seeing them everywhere!”

And you can be ready to answer: “We’re interested in people’s opinions. How would you complete that sentence?”

Let’s pray for lots of great conversations about Jesus.

SANDY GRANT with JODIE McNEILL

What’s Glorious about Judgement?

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When people talk about ‘judgement’, it normally seems to be pretty negative, because a judgement divides people, with winners and losers, and the whole idea of one person judging another just seems downright uncomfortable.

Yet in some circumstances, a judgement is a positive and welcome result.

If your wellbeing or reputation has been harmed because of someone’s harmful actions towards you, then you will welcome justice if you receive compensation or if your name is cleared from false allegations or claims.

And if the act of injustice is against someone you know and love, then you will celebrate the judgement and acquittal of the person who has been harmed.

In this case, a ‘judgement’ is a good thing, and something to be celebrated.

With this in mind, the Bible speaks over and over about God’s judgement against people who reject him and harm his good reputation.

It’s in the context of God’s judgement and punishment that we see his gracious and glorious mercy to all of us who don’t deserve his kindness and love.

Over the next four weekends we’re going be looking at four episodes in human history where God showed and will show his glorious judgement against all those who stand against him in anger and rebellion.

We’ll see his glorious judgement at Eden, as we witness the rebellion by Adam and Eve, and God’s grace through his judgement.

We’ll see God’s glorious judgement in Egypt, as he judged the blatant rebellion of Pharaoh, which led to the glorious salvation of God’s people in the Exodus.

We’ll see the glorious judgement at Easter, where the cross of Christ demonstrates God’s extraordinary love and mercy.

And we’ll see the glorious judgement at the End Time, when the definitive punishment of all rebels against God will show his love for justice and his justice in love.

JODIE McNEILL

(Image credit: Ken Teegardin via Flickr.com at www.SeniorLiving.Org)

What’s Needed on Australia Day?

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There are legitimate reasons why many people feel they cannot support the celebration of Australia Day on 26 January, the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove.

They have to do not only with the devastation experienced by indigenous people following European colonisation – dispossession of lands, mass slaughter, epidemics of illness and the spread of alcohol – but the continuing disparity in education and health outcomes, for example, between indigenous and non-indigenous people, and the widespread ignorance of indigenous history and experience.

There is so much of Australia to give thanks for, to celebrate and to enjoy, but there is no ‘day’ over which the long shadow of sin and selfishness and greed and violence is not cast.

Any celebration of Australia – or any nation or culture – must reckon with historical and present-day expressions of rejection of God and neglect of people.

The suggestion that Australia Day celebrations should begin with a time of mourning in acknowledgement of the suffering caused to indigenous people through European settlement reflects the Christian pattern of frank admission or confession of sin, humbly and thankfully recognising that the gospel of Jesus offers a way of forgiveness, reconciliation and transforming hope.

It is right to celebrate Australia and to give thanks to God for our country and to pray that we may be a blessing to others; but such a celebration is hollow and self-serving if it fails to acknowledge the sins of our nation and history.

We will love Australia best when we live with another ‘day’, the date of which has been fixed by God, foremost in our minds:

God commands all people everywhere to repent, for he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. Acts 17:30b-31

KANISHKA RAFFEL, Dean of Sydney.

(This is an edited version of an article by Kanishka Raffel that originally appeared as ‘From the Dean’ at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney. Photo by Campbelltown City Council via Flickr.com)

Sticks and Stones

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Whoever first said “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me” was obviously unaware of modern-day social media.

Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, there seems to be a keyboard courage that leads people to write things online that they’d be far-less-likely to say face-to-face to their victims.

That’s why cyber-bullying is such a problem in our midst, and it seems that our authorities seem unwilling or unable to do anything to stop it.

Our political leaders are often the target of ‘mean tweets’, the kind of bullying that is condoned and encouraged by the general populace.

It must be hard for the politicians and public figures to endure the direct attacks themselves, but the cost for their families is too great.

Words are powerful, and can have a genuinely physical impact on those who hear them.

Tragically, we saw another example this week when Wilson Gavin, a 21-year-old activist, was so brutally attacked online that he chose to take his own life.

Words of hate are felt like daggers in the heart.

This is why James wrote that, “among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” (James 3:6).

It is a sober warning to all people that we must be wise and loving with how we speak and what we write online.

For as we read in the Psalms:

Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. (Psalm 34:12-14)

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Leo Hidalgo via Flickr)

Praying for our Servos

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In this time of national disaster, it’s very important that we pray for the many people who serve us in our emergency services and other associated organisations. To help you pray, here is the prayer I wrote for our Tuesday ‘Bushfire Emergency Prayer Service’:

Heavenly Father, we bring before you the many people who lead and serve in our emergency services, and ask that you would protect and strengthen them in this time of crisis.

We pray for the members of the Ambulance service, who render help to firefighters and victims, and for the health and medical staff who provide first aid and long-term care.

We pray for the volunteers in the Rural Fire Service, who continue to battle tirelessly and sacrificially, and for Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, who with his team, has showed such leadership in keeping everyone informed and safe, as he manages this disaster.

We pray for the police force, and their assistance in helping evacuate and direct traffic and respond to incidents, as well as maintain law and order in this challenging time.

We pray for the defence force, who have supported all agencies from air, land and sea in many roles and capabilities.

We pray for NSW Fire and Rescue, who battle to protect and save people, animals and buildings, and for their executive management team and incident controllers.

We pray for those in the National Parks and Wildlife Service who help care for animals and assist with fighting fires.

We pray for the SES workers who restore safety to communities and clear hazardous debris.

We pray for the forestry corporation, fighting fires and managing millions of hectares of state forest.

We pray for the many people who have pushed for donations and have given time, equipment and money to assist those in need.

We pray for the many people who work behind the scenes in communication centres, who have the difficult job of determining where valuable resources need to go.

We pray for the people who update apps, warning and Facebook pages, and for the people in the media, who together work to keep information coming in times of need.

We thank you for the service of all who have travelled afar from interstate and from Canada, the USA, New Zealand, to assist us in this time of disaster.

We pray also for our Prime Minister, our Premier, our Mayor, and for all those who serve with them at this time, as they make important decisions to coordinate the firefighting and relief efforts.

And we also pray for the family and friends of all firefighters who have to say ‘farewell’ with fear and pride to a loved one, and hold down the fort while they are gone.

We pray for protection and strength for all who lead and serve us in this bushfire emergency.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: ‘Highway Patrol Images’ via Flickr.com)