Tough Questions

Why do we still follow some Old Testament laws and not others? Is the Old Testament still relevant today?

Rev Charlie (November 2021)

The Bible is divided into two main sections, the Old Testament (everything before Jesus) and the New Testament (everything from Jesus onwards).  The word ‘Testament’ is synonymous with the word ‘Covenant’, which means an agreement or contract.  So, the Bible contains God’s old agreement with his people (The Old Testament) and God’s new agreement with his people (The New Testament).

The New Testament itself claims to have superseded the Old Testament, for example, Hebrews 8: 13 ‘By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete.’  In light of this, some have asked why we still bother to read the Old Testament at all.

The author of 2 Timothy asserts that ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.’  This statement includes both the Old Testament and the New (‘All scripture’), we therefore take the whole of the Bible seriously, recognising that it contains that which God wants us to know.

The Old Testament is primarily the story of God’s dealings with humanity and it points forward to Jesus.  However, most questions about the utility of the Old Testament relate to the law.  Some question why we still follow some Old Testament laws but not others.  For example, we don’t obey Leviticus 19:19 which says, ‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material’, but we do obey Exodus 20: 14, ‘ You shall not commit adultery.’  How do we select the laws that still apply?  To answer this we need to consider the overarching narrative of the Old Testament.

The story of the Old Testament includes a recurring theme relating to God’s law.  Namely, every time God gave his people laws, they rebelled against them.  As the story progresses, it becomes apparent that Israel is incapable of living in accordance with God’s law because their hearts are hard and lifeless.

The Old Testament prophets looked forward to a time when a Messiah figure would come to lead God’s people in obedience to the law.  They spoke of God replacing their hearts of stone with hearts of flesh and of the law being written on their hearts.  For example, Ezekiel 36:33:

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
    after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.

I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.

Jesus is the fulfilment of these prophesies and the fulfilment of the law.  That is to say, Jesus’ followers are not bound by Old Testament law and are instead subject to the law of Christ (1 Cor. 9: 20-21; Gal. 6: 2).

An expert in the law tested Jesus by asking “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”  In response Jesus summed up the law of Christ that would now be written on the hearts of his followers, saying:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The law of Christ is a law of love and it supersedes the Old Testament law.  The question is therefore not, ‘Why do we follow some Old Testament laws and not others?’ but rather, ‘Why do we still follow any Old Testament laws at all?’

Well, as we might expect, many Old Testament laws have to do with loving God and loving neighbour.  These laws are affirmed in the life of Christ and in the writings of the New Testament.  In other words, some of the Old Testament commands carry over because they are, implicitly or explicitly, part of the law of Christ.

The Old Testament is part of God’s story and whilst it is not our primary source of moral guidance, there is much to be gained from reading it.  Not least, a revelation of God’s nature, his character and his plan for the whole of creation.  We also gain an understanding of the world we inhabit and why things are the way they are.  

As we read the Old Testament we witness God’s wonderful plan of redemption unfolding, starting with one man, Abraham, and culminating in the nation of Israel, out of which the Messiah would emerge.  Without the Old Testament we cannot fully comprehend what God is doing in the world.

God speaks today through his word, the Bible.  We must read it prayerfully and diligently and with each new passage ask ourselves, ‘Is there a lesson to learn, a command to obey, an example to follow, or a promise to lay hold of?  We must read the Old Testament along with the New and allow it to shape our understanding of God and humanity.

Tough Questions

Do People Who Have Never Heard of Christ Have Any Chance of Salvation

Rev Charlie (October 2021)

The question of whether a person can be saved without having heard the Gospel is a complex and difficult subject and extremely hard to tackle in a short newsletter article.  I have done my best and with more time I might do better.  I have endeavoured to understand and interpret some of the relevant biblical texts; there are, of course, many others besides those mentioned in this article.  I do not have all the answers (and sometimes I may get it wrong), but it is important to wrestle with the ‘tough questions.’

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  This and various other verses have caused many to question whether a person who has not heard of Jesus can come to the Father (i.e. be saved).  At first glance, it seems unfair for a person to be disqualified because of an historical accident, namely the time and place of their birth.

The first thing to say is that God is entirely just and righteous.  As the psalmist proclaims, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.” (Psalm 89: 14) God is perfectly fair in all his dealings with human beings.  In the end, no one will be able to say that they have been unfairly treated.

If it were not possible to receive salvation without having a conscious knowledge of Jesus, then everyone from the Old Testament would stand condemned.  However, we know that some were saved because the power of the cross works both ways through history.  For example, Moses and Elijah met with Jesus and three of his disciples on a mountain.  Moses and Elijah were saved on the basis of Jesus’ death and resurrection, even though they lived hundreds of years before Jesus was born.  Salvation came to God’s people in the Old Testament through Christ, just as it comes to us through Christ. However, it should be noted that God’s people in the Old Testament were chosen by God and received special revelation from God.

Romans 1 and 2 indicate that human beings will be judged based on the information that they have available to them.  Paul states that all human beings have sufficient information to be aware of the existence of God and of his moral law.  Firstly, we have God’s revelation in nature.  That is to say, creation, in all its beauty and splendour testifies to the existence of God.  Secondly, having been created in the image of God, we have God’s moral law written on our hearts.  On this basis, some have suggested that a person can be saved through Christ, based on their response to God as revealed through his general revelation in nature and conscience. 

However, Paul’s point in Romans 1 and 2 is that in spite of receiving God’s general revelation, people choose to worship gods of their own making and plunge themselves into immorality and degeneracy.  It is tempting to conjure up the image of an innocent tribesman, who lived in a remote part of the Amazon Rainforest and led a morally upright life.  Regrettably, no such person has ever existed for ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ (Rom. 3: 23)

In general terms, humanity stands condemned, not for its lack of faith in Christ, but for its rebellion against God.  Inevitably, our own sinfulness inclines us to downplay the seriousness of sin and rebellion against God.  We therefore fail to comprehend the miracle of God’s grace in his choosing to save anyone at all.

There are no historical accidents concerning the time and place of a person’s birth.  It has therefore been suggested that God has providentially chosen the time and place of each person’s birth so that those who would respond positively to the gospel are given the opportunity to hear it.  Whether or not that is true, it is hard to escape the conclusion that ‘hearing’ the good news of Jesus is a prerequisite to being saved. As it says in Romans 10: 13-15:

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?  And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

It seems that hearing the good news, and responding positively to it, is paramount.  However, there is scriptural evidence of an important exception. 

When we think of those who died without ever hearing the name of Jesus, we tend to think of those living in antiquity or in very remote parts of the world.  However, there are people in twenty-first century Australia who live and die without having had the opportunity to respond to the Gospel.  For example, those with severe learning disabilities or children who tragically pass away very early on in life.  In the book of 2 Samuel when King David’s baby son dies, he is convinced that he has gone to be with the Lord, saying:

While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Moreover, when the disciples rebuked people for bringing little children (or babies) to Jesus, Jesus responded with these words, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  

Sin is like a hereditary disease that is present in every human being; however, some never develop the physical and mental capacity to do or think anything sinful and are therefore innocent.  Thus we have a category of person (huge in number), who will be saved in spite of their never hearing, understanding or responding to the Gospel.  

In conclusion, we cannot be confident that salvation will come to any persons who do not hear the gospel, though there are some notable exceptions, mentioned above.  That said, we might reasonably expect to be surprised by some aspect of God’s judgement and whilst we try to understand these things on the basis of scripture, we should perhaps refrain from being too dogmatic in our assertions of who God may or may not choose to save.  If you are troubled by this question (or by my response to it), it will be helpful to refocus on the character of God; his love, grace, mercy and righteousness.  One thing upon which all Christians agree is that we can trust God to do what is right and just by all people. 

He rules the world in righteousness
    and judges the peoples with equity.

(Psalm 9: 8)

If you have a question that you would like me to attempt to answer, please email me at charlie@standrewsspringfield.org.au. 

Tough Questions

Tough Questions

Rev Charlie (September 2021)

We are just over half way through our latest online Alpha Course and it has been fascinating, as Alpha courses always are.  I have participated in many Alpha courses and I am always amazed at the diverse range of perspectives, insights and questions.  Questions about life, faith, God, the Bible and so on.

I often come across people who grew up in a ‘Christian’ environment, but were always discouraged from asking questions.  There is a popular misconception that Christians are expected to accept the Church’s teaching unquestioningly, even when it seems obscure or strange.  Alpha is popular because it gives people the opportunity to explore the Christian faith for themselves. Guests are encouraged to express opinions and ask questions.  After all, thought is not the enemy of Christianity, quite the opposite in fact.

As I sat down to write this reflection, I found myself thinking about all the amazing unasked questions that people have buzzing around in their heads.  Anybody who considers life, in anything more than the most superficial terms, will have serious questions about themselves, human nature and the world we inhabit.  Regardless of one’s worldview, be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, Agnostic, or whatever, we all have deep questions. 

Christians do not claim to have all the answers; however, the Christian worldview properly understood provides a framework that makes sense of the world we live in. Indeed, I would argue that it makes sense of the whole of human history.  As C.S. Lewis put it:

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

The upshot of this line of thinking is that I have decided to invite ‘tough questions’ from the readers of our newsletter.  Bearing in mind that this newsletter is distributed to a wider audience, I want to stress that you do not have to be a member of St. Andrew’s Springfield, nor do you have to consider yourself a Christian to send in a question.  

Each month, I will endeavour to research and answer a question that you, the readers, have posed.  Again, I do not claim to have all the answers, but I will do my best to shed some light on the subject matter from a Christian perspective.  

If you have a question that you would like me to attempt to answer, please email me at charlie@standrewsspringfield.org.au. 

Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare

Rev Charlie (August 2021)

Many today refuse to acknowledge the existence of God or any kind of spiritual reality, let alone the existence of spiritual forces of evil.  That said, I come across a great many agnostics, people who say that they believe in “something”, without necessarily being able to articulate what that something is.  

Human beings have an innate, though often supressed, awareness that there is more to this world than that which we can see and touch.

The Bible asserts that there are both spiritual forces of good and evil at work in the world.  Just as there is a God, so too there is a devil.  However, they should not be viewed as two equal and opposite forces, such as the ‘yin and yang’ of ancient Chinese philosophy.  God is infinitely more powerful than the devil, a created being who rejected God in the same way that humans did.  

The story of the Bible could be framed in terms of evil’s defeat and eventual demise.  Jesus has won a decisive victory over evil, but the battle rages on and will do until Jesus returns at the end of the age.  Whether we realise it or not, every human being is a protagonist in this spiritual battle.  

Being aware of this reality is important, not so that we can attribute every misfortune or personal failing to sinister forces of evil, but so we can counter the attacks of the enemy.

Ephesians 6: 10-18 describes spiritual warfare and the weapons at our disposal to fight it.  It is therefore worth reading in full:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the 

The Word of God is Dynamite

The Word of God is Dynamite

REV CHARLIE (MAY 2021)

It may seem trite, for me, a pastor, to be writing   an article about the value of reading the Bible. You might be thinking ‘Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before’, perhaps you’re not remotely interested.  Please hear me out.  The Bible is dynamite!

We think of the Bible as a book, but really it’s a small library of sixty-six books, written over a period of at least one-thousand years by no less than forty different authors.  Moreover, it includes a myriad of genres, from love poetry and historical writings to letters and ancient biographies.  There is no other work of literature like it.  The message of the Bible has had an inestimable impact on the world and millions of people can attest to it transforming their lives.  Unsurprisingly, it is the number one best seller of all time, with over 100 million copies sold or given away every year.

In some counties, like North Korea, the Bible is completely illegal, or tightly controlled by the government, yet people risk their lives to smuggle Bibles in.

Such a ubiquitous, prodigious, potent, controversial and influential book is surely a must read for anyone who claims to have received a good education.  However, the Bible is far more than just a ‘good read’ or an interesting project for an inquisitive mind, it is the principal means by which God speaks to humanity.

The Bible contains what God wants us to know about Himself and ourselves and we can fully expect God to speak to us through it.  The author of 2 Timothy (one of the New Testament letters), tells us that the whole of the Bible is God-breathed, or God inspired:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3: 16-17)

The Bible is a huge book and parts of it make for quite heavy reading, so where should one start?  Surprisingly, not necessarily at the beginning.  I don’t recommend reading the Bible from cover to cover!  If you’re new to the Bible, perhaps start with one of the Gospels at the beginning of the New Testament 

(Matthew, Mark, Luke or John).  It is usually best to read a book at a time (remember, there are sixty-six to choose from), and I suggest watching a video summary of the book before you begin (these can be found at bibleproject.com).

At St. Andrew’s, we usually work through a book of the Bible as part of our sermon series on a Sunday morning.  If you are a member of our church, or if you’re following our sermons online, why not commit to reading the book that we’re studying at any given time.  

There are many ways to read the Bible, but always read it prayerfully and with the expectation that God will speak to you through it.  It might just turn your world upside down, after all, the word of God is dynamite!

IN SEARCH OF A KING

In Search of a King

REV CHARLIE (May 2021)

 Have you ever felt let down by a leader, be it a  teacher, a boss, a political figure, a parent or a famous person whom you looked up to?  I think we can all answer that question in the affirmative.  There is a distinct lack of good leadership in the world today, but that is not a modern phenomenon.

The book of Judges in the Old Testament, tells the tragic tale of Israel’s moral corruption and of its bad leadership.  Instead of being a light to the nations and reflecting God’s character, the people of Israel became just as depraved as the surrounding nations.  The nation’s leaders (known as judges), appear progressively more flawed as the book goes on.

Then we come to the book of 1 Samuel, that we’ll be studying over the coming weeks.  In recognition of their need for good leadership, Israel demands a king.  The books of 1 and 2 Samuel tell the story of Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David, both of whom get off to a promising start.  However, their character flaws become evident and their demise ensues.

Israel’s hopes for a faithful and godly leader were dashed repeatedly.  However, God always intended to send his anointed one, the Messiah, a perfect king whose reign would last forever.  On Good Friday, we saw the world’s reaction to receiving such a king, as Jesus was nailed to a cross and on Easter Sunday we saw that not even death could impede his reign. 

All of us need wise, faithful and godly leadership in our lives, but we look for it in the wrong places.  As a culture we hero worship sportsmen and women, celebrities and music artists.  We expect perfection from our politicians and feel resentful when they fall short.  Even within the church we put our leaders on pedestals and feel shaken when they come crashing down.  Don’t hear me wrong, it’s not a bad thing to have godly role models or indeed to aspire to be one, however, our ultimate role model and leader is Jesus.  He is the one we aim to emulate and no other.

Some claim not to be influenced by others, choosing instead to follow their own insights, intuitions and moral code, but this is equally dangerous.  We were not created to be sovereign over our own lives, but to submit to the goodness, wisdom and lordship of Jesus Christ, who loves us and wants the very best for us.

The search for the perfect king, leader and role model is over.  The sovereign creator of the universe has come to us in the person of Jesus Christ. The question for us today is, will we bow the knee and submit to his authority?

The Darkness is Overcome

The Darkness is Overcome

REV CHARLIE (APRIL 2021)

Darkness features prominently in the Easter story, from the last supper right through to Jesus’ burial.

In John’s Gospel, when he describes the last supper, there is a discussion about the one who would betray Jesus. That scene ends with these words, ‘As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.’ Judas went out into the darkness to betray Jesus; aligning himself with darkness itself. That same night, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed in anguish, even sweating drops of blood. Jesus knew what he must endure and could feel the darkness closing in around him. He was afraid.

Not long afterwards a mob with swords and clubs came to arrest Jesus. Just before he was arrested Jesus said, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

Jesus was taken straight to the Jewish ruling council, who broke with convention by conducting Jesus’ trial by night, further emphasising the sinister nature of the proceedings. Peter was stood outside in the courtyard, where he denied Jesus three times.

Jesus was condemned by the Jewish authorities and paraded before Pontius Pilate, King Herod and an agitated crowd before he was handed over for crucifixion. When Jesus died at midday, ‘darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.’

Finally, Jesus’ limp and lifeless body was taken down from the cross and placed in a nearby tomb. A large stone was rolled across the entrance and the man who is God was reduced to a corpse, surrounded by pitch darkness.

In the first chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus is referred to as ‘the Word’; the first five verses read as follows: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

In the Bible, darkness often represents death, evil and the dominion of Satan. The author of life could not be overcome by darkness and on the third day Jesus rose from the dead. The light of the world came bursting from the tomb. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

When we listen to the news and hear of war, famine, corruption, violence, climate change and the global pandemic, the world seems a dark and sinister place. Indeed, we can often feel the darkness closing in around us personally, as we struggle with the challenges of life. Jesus’ resurrection changes everything! It proves that darkness will not have the last word and that light will ultimately prevail.

Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

THE MEANING OF LENT

The Meaning of Lent

REV CHARLIE (MARCH 2021)

As soon as the new year began, I noticed a lot of posts  on  social media about dry January.  I had not heard of it before, but someone seems to have come up with the idea of having an alcohol free month at the beginning of the year and it has caught on.  Most of the posts were amusing memes about people’s failed attempts to complete (or even start) dry January.

We are now two weeks into the Christian season of Lent, a period of forty days (not including Sundays), leading up to Easter.  For most people, if they know anything at all about Lent, it is that Christians temporarily give stuff up.  It may even look a bit like the Christian equivalent of dry January, or even an opportunity to redeem the failures of dry January.  You may have heard of people giving up alcohol, chocolate, coffee or television for Lent.  You may have given something up yourself.

Giving up a luxury item for Lent is no bad thing, but it does not get to the heart of Lent’s purpose.  The idea of Lent is rooted in the Old Testament and in the New.  It is reminiscent of the forty years that God’s people spent wandering in the wilderness (no time to get into that here), but more importantly it has to do with Jesus’ time in the wilderness. After his baptism and before beginning his public ministry Jesus spent forty days in the desert being tested or tempted by the devil (Luke 4: 1-18).  During this time Jesus rejected all other paths, except the one ordained for him by his Father in heaven.

For Christians, Lent is a time to get back on the path that God has set before us, as we prepare to experience first the sorrow and then the joy of Easter.  It is a time to focus on spiritual disciplines that will bring us closer to God (prayer and fasting included).  Of course, Christians should engage in spiritual disciplines all year round, however, by making a concerted effort during Lent, we hope to form good habits that will remain with us.

That said, the spiritual disciplines of prayer, bible reading, worship, fellowship, fasting and so on, are of no use if they do not make us more Christ-like.  The purpose of spiritual disciplines is to help us draw near to God and grow in holiness.  It grieves God when we engage in religious practices, without having a change of heart and subsequent change of behaviour (Amos 5: 21-25).

Lent should be thought of an opportunity to grow in holiness; a time to make permanent changes to the way that we think, live and interact with others.  We can do better than making Lent a Christian version of ‘Dry January’.

This Lent I encourage you to give up something that is marring your life and your relationship with God and take up something that is life giving: 

• Give up anger and take up patience

• Give up gossiping and take up trustworthiness

• Give up laziness and take up self-discipline

• Give up workaholism and take up balance

• Give up pornography and take up being attentive to your spouse

• Give up stinginess and take up generosity

• Give up resentment and take up forgiveness

Let us use this season of Lent to make lasting changes to our lives, not in our strength but in His.

Hubs

REV CHARLIE (FEBRUARY 2021)

 Our first sermon in February is based on Luke 5, when Jesus called a tax collector named Levi to follow him. The passage describes how Levi immediately abandoned his unscrupulous business and threw a party in Jesus’ honour.

Luke 5: 27-29

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.

Levi was a sinful, irreligious and unprincipled man, but he turned away from his old way of life to embark on a new life with Jesus.  InteresIngly, the first thing he did was to throw a party so that his friends could meet Jesus.

Tax collectors were considered the lowest of the low. They ripped off fellow Jews to line their own pockets and to support the oppressive regime of the Roman Empire. The only people who would go to a tax collector’s home were other tax collectors and social outcasts. When the Pharisees demanded an explanaIon as to why Jesus was prepared to share a meal with such miscreants, Jesus made it clear that he had come to save sinners.

In summary, a clueless, newly converted social misfit with a colourful past, opened his home to the worst that society had to offer, so that they could meet with Jesus; and Jesus showed up because he loved them.

Jesus preached to large crowds, someImes numbering thousands of people, but he also taught small groups in homes and on hillsides.  Jesus took the Ime to connect with people on a personal level.  We want to follow this model as a church, hence we have a large weekly gathering, but we also meet during the week in small groups called Hubs.

If our church involvement is limited to Sunday services, we can find ourselves receiving informaIon without experiencing transformaIon.  Our Hubs are a safe environment to share our experiences, pray for one another, use our spiritual giRs and increase our understanding of God’s Word, the Bible. Our Hubs provide an environment where we can share the love of Christ with each other, but they can also be mobilised for mission, to take the love of Christ to the world.

Finding people who are willing to lead Hubs is challenging and I suspect this is due to misconcepIons about what it takes.  You don’t need to be an experienced Bible teacher or to have been a ChrisIan your whole life. Consider the example of Levi, who opened his home and invited people to come and meet Jesus. That is essenIally what leading a Hub is all about.

If you are willing to open your home weekly (or even monthly), to meet with a group of friends and put Jesus at the centre of things, then please let us know. Similarly, if you would like to be part of a Hub, even if you currently have nothing to do with the church, please let us know. Everyone is welcome!

Hope

Hope

REV CHARLIE (January 2021)

To a lesser or greater extent, 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone.  In Queensland we have been spared the worst of Covid-19, but it has still been disruptive and many people have had their hopes dashed.  The hope of a holiday, a loved one visiting or a family reunion. Maybe even the hope of a secure job and the means to pay the bills.

This time last year we had no idea how 2020 would pan out and the same is true now.  We cannot know what lies ahead of us.  We want to look to the future with hope, but it is hard to do so in the midst of so much uncertainty.  Be that as it may, we cannot afford to lose hope.

Some survival experts talk about the ‘rule of threes.’  As a rough guide, and depending on a range of variables, you can survive three minutes without air; three hours in a harsh environment (extreme heat or cold); three days without drinkable water and three weeks without food.  I once heard an instructor add to this list, three months without hope.  It would certainly seem that hope is essential, not just for our wellbeing, but for our very survival.

The question is, how do we maintain hope when nothing is going as we thought, or hoped, it would?  I believe the answer lies in changing our perspective on hope.  Most of the time we hope for things.  We hope for a job, a holiday, a phone call from a loved one, the end of the Coronavirus, or whatever it might be.  There is nothing wrong with hoping for things, however, such hopes are always uncertain.  When we hope for things, we run the risk of being let down.  As Christians our principal hope is not for something, but in someone.  Our hope is in Christ Jesus and his promises.

No matter what happens in the world, or in our lives, Jesus is sovereign and his promises are trustworthy and true.  Jesus promises forgiveness and fullness of life to those who put their trust in him.  A new life that begins now and stretches into eternity.  The believer’s hope is in Jesus and their eternal destiny is bound up with His.  That is why the Apostle Paul, despite facing hardships and setbacks, was able to write this:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15: 13)

The hope that we have in Jesus is secure and unaffected by global events or the circumstances of our lives.  Let us cling to that hope as we cross the threshold into 2021.

The Importance of Gathering

The Importance of Gathering

REV CHARLIE (December 2020)

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on our ability to gather this year.  In March, we went into lockdown and were unable to have any in person gatherings.  Our services went online and families were encouraged to gather as ‘the little church’ in their homes.  In July, we were able to return to physical gatherings, though with a greatly reduced number of people.  The restrictions have recently been eased further, allowing us to meet in greater numbers during Advent and Christmas.  This is of course very good news and, judging by the feedback I’ve received, it is welcomed by everyone.

The unusual events of 2020 have caused the church as a whole to revaluate its modus operandi, with some going as far as to say that the church should move away from in person gatherings, in favour of ‘online’ church.  Making use of technology to propagate the gospel and build communities of Jesus’ followers is an opportunity we cannot ignore, however, this should in no way replace in person gatherings.

Human beings have been created to interact with one another in a personal and intimate way.  We are made to be relational because God is relational.  Increasingly, people are disengaging with personal intimacy as they become absorbed in a virtual world through their devices.  I recently observed a family in a restaurant, where every member of the family had their eyes fixed on a mobile phone - no one was speaking.  We are forgetting what it means to be relational.  We are forgetting what it means to be human.  The impact of this is palpable.  When we are starved of human interaction, we become depressed.  A recent article by the BBC revealed that cases of depression in the UK have doubled in the last year.  Doubtless there are a myriad of contributing factors, but the imposition of ‘lockdown’ must surely be one of the most conspicuous.  

The church is called to be counter-cultural, not for the sake of it, but to reveal God’s intention for humanity.  Surely we must buck the trend of isolationism and virtual friendships.  We often hear people lamenting the now common practice of eating family meals in front of the television.  When we gather as a church, we are also gathering for a family meal, the Lord’s supper. Are we really going to attempt to do this in front of a screen when there’s no longer any need to do so?  The mission of our church is:  Love Jesus, Love the Church, Love the World.  To love the church is to love being together.

The Church is the visible presence of Jesus’ kingdom in the world.  In September, we held a service outdoors on the oval and many passers-by acknowledged our presence with a friendly toot of the horn, or a not so friendly mouthful of obscenities.  I was encouraged by both, because any engagement served as a testament to the visibility of Christ’s church.  We must have a visible presence online, but only to augment our visible presence in the community.  After all, how many of those who drove past our outdoor service in September would have come across our church that day, if we’d only been online!

Finally, our physical gatherings provide opportunities to contribute to the growth of the kingdom.                        1 Corinthians 12: 12 says, ‘Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.’  We have such a diverse range of gifts in our church, all of which have been given by God to build up the church as a whole.  Some of those gifts can only be used effectively when we gather in a physical way; hospitality, for example.  Another example would be interpersonal gifts.  Anyone who has been limited to communicating with loved ones via ‘Zoom’ will tell you that it just isn’t the same.  When we gather, we get to engage our gifts more completely.

We rejoice that we can now spend Advent and Christmas together as one body.  Jesus came into the world to be with us in person and we want to be with Him and with each other.

Planning in a Pandemic

Planning in a Pandemic

Rev Charlie (November 2020)

This time last year, no one could have predicted the imminence of COVID-19 and the fallout from it.  Except maybe, Bill Gates who gave a TED Talk five years ago warning that, “If anything kills more than 10 million people in the next few decades, it’s most likely to be a highly infectious virus […].  We’re not ready for the next epidemic.”  Nevertheless, the average ‘man in the street’ would not have anticipated the kind of year we have had.

The global pandemic that is COVID-19 has effected every individual and every organisation in some way.  As a church, we have been through several evolutions to respond to the ever-changing restrictions.  For obvious reasons, many of the changes that we have implemented have been reactive.  However, we have also been intentionally proactive during this period.

Prior to the pandemic, we decided to use 2020 to focus on our mission, core values and ministry objectives in order to formulate ‘Vision 2025’.  In essence, we want to be very clear about who we are, where we want to be in five years’ time and how we are going to get there.  It could be argued that with so much uncertainty about the future, it is virtually impossible to make any meaningful plans.  However, the Parish Council took a different view.  We felt that the church needs a clear vision to help us navigate this uncertain time and stay on track with our core business, which is building God’s kingdom here in Springfield and further afield.

Ephesians 2: 10 says: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  God has prepared good works for us to do; not just individually, but collectively as a church.  God must therefore have a plan and a purpose for St. Andrew’s Springfield.  Confident of this, the Parish Council, with input from the rest of the congregation (i.e. The National Church Life Survey), has been prayerfully discerning the way forward.  To date we have revised our mission statement, honed our core values and we are currently working on our short and medium term missional objectives.

Our original mission statement was: To be an inclusive, welcoming Christian community: nurturing people, building disciples and knowing Jesus more deeply.  There is nothing wrong with the content of this statement, but it is not particularly memorable.  Our revised mission statement captures our mission in a way that is easily remembered:

‘Love Jesus, Love the Church, Love the World’

Our three core values stem from each component of our mission statement and give a fuller picture of who we are and what is important to us.  (You will notice that the core values incorporate all the values articulated in our original mission statement):

The Cross (Love Jesus)

Jesus died on a cross for our sins, so that all who turn to him might receive forgiveness and everlasting life.  That is the essence of the Good News and the reason that the cross is the enduring symbol of Christianity.  We love Jesus and want to live lives of grateful obedience to him.

The Community (Love the Church)

God empowers the church, through his Holy Spirit, to be the body of Christ in the world.  Our community is one small part of that body.  We are an inclusive, diverse and welcoming community who take Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you” seriously.  

The Mission (Love the World)

We aim to reach out with the Good News of Jesus, through our words and actions.  We believe that discipleship begins long before a person becomes a Christian and we are committed to prayerfully nurturing the faith and spiritual growth of those to whom God sends us.  

You are encouraged to reflect on our mission statement and core values and consider how we might live these out together as a community of Jesus’ followers.  The planning continues and we are currently working on our missional objectives, which will help us to answer the ‘how’ question more precisely, so watch this space!

Please know that we welcome your feedback at every stage of the process.

Testimony

Testimony

REV CHARLIE (OCTOBER 2020)

A testimony is a statement given in a court of law.  It is a form of evidence.  For Christians, it also means the recounting of God’s goodness and mercy and is often connected with, but not limited to, a person’s conversion.  Whenever we talk about what God has done in our lives, for example, our experience of conversion or even just something that the Lord has done for us in the past week, we are ‘giving a testimony’.  Testimonies are powerful.  They give evidence, not only of God’s existence, but also of his character.  

Sharing a testimony is a very powerful way to talk about our faith.  For non-Christians, it is often perceived as being less contentious than say, talking about the bible or Christian doctrine.  A testimony is a description of your subjective experience and it is very difficult to argue with that or indeed take offence.  Nevertheless, a testimony can be very challenging to the hearer, prompting them to think deeply about what has been said.

The New Testament is full of instances of people sharing their testimony.  Jesus sometimes commanded people to do so.  In Mark, chapter 5, after Jesus had healed a demon-possessed man, he said to him, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”  When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, she returned to the town saying, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”  Good news travels fast.  When we encounter Jesus, it is only natural that we should want to tell people.

The book of Acts contains three accounts of the Apostle Paul’s conversion.  The first is Luke’s description, but the other two accounts come from the lips of Paul himself.  Once when he addressed a hostile crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 21), and again when he was taken before King Agrippa II (Acts 26).

There is a definite precedent for Christians to share their testimonies and it is a highly effective way of proclaiming the good news of Jesus.  However, it does require some thought and practice.  If you came to faith later in life, your testimony might include the following three elements: 

1. What life was like without Jesus

2. How you came to faith

3. How your life has changed

That said, everyone’s testimony will be unique, indeed there will be as many different variations as there are Christians.

I want to encourage you to think about what the Lord has done in your life and how you might summarise it in two or three minutes.  Perhaps write down a few dot points and practice sharing your testimony with a Christian friend or family member.  My hope is that you eventually feel confident to share your testimony with someone who does not yet know Jesus. 

On Sunday 18th October, I will be sharing my testimony as part of the service and I hope this will ‘kick-start’ a culture of talking about what the Lord had done and is doing in our lives.  The psalmist proclaims ‘My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long.’  Let us learn to do likewise.

Patience & Perseverance

Patience & Perseverance

REV CHARLIE (september 2020)

James 5: 7-11

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Life is good, but it is not always easy.  Some people have it harder than others, but nobody goes through life without experiencing trials, struggles and heartache.  Of course, our ultimate hope is in Christ’s return and in the subsequent renewal and restoration of all creation.  That is what we understand by the phrase, ‘the Lord’s coming’ and we continue to wait patiently for that day.  

Christians long for Jesus’ return, but that does not mean that we have a negative view of life in the here and now.  Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  The fullness of life that Jesus offers is not only a future prospect but also a present reality.  Fullness of life begins as soon as we give our lives to Jesus.

Again, with Jesus we can experience fullness of life, but not necessarily an easy life.  We are constantly challenged by circumstances that require patience and perseverance.  The COVID-19 pandemic is a case in point.  Queensland is one of the least affected areas in the world, yet the impact has still been felt: loss of jobs, uncertainty about the future, inability to connect with and concern for loved ones in other states or countries, serious disruption to our normal routine, etc.  

Our patience and perseverance are being tested, not so much waiting for Jesus to return, as waiting for this pandemic to end.  Many people have pushed the pause button on their lives, metaphorically speaking, as a way of coping mentally.  Activities that could be continued with some thought, imagination and perseverance, have been stopped altogether.  Whilst this approach is understandable, it is not advisable, especially if those activities include ones that feed us spiritually.    

So how can we experience fullness of life under the conditions of a global pandemic?  Firstly, by recognising that God is in control. This pandemic does not alter God’s plan for creation, nor undermine our salvation.  Jesus will still return and we will know the joy of living with him forever.  Secondly, by recognising that this pandemic will end.  It is disconcerting that we do not know when it will end, but it is time limited.  One day we will be looking back on it, rather than being in the midst of it.  This is true of all life’s trials.  Thirdly, by continuing with all the things that are life giving, within the parameters of government advice and common sense.  Let us continue praying and studying God’s word together, albeit via zoom; worshiping together on a Sunday, thus receiving strength and encouragement for the week ahead; and meeting together for mutual support and friendship.  COVID-19 need not hinder us from experiencing fullness of life.  We must persevere together and demonstrate the indomitable nature of Christ’s church.

In order to encourage and galvanise our church, we are holding an outdoor service on the 13th September (details in the newsletter below).  This will be the first time that we have been able to gather the whole church in months and it is hoped that everyone will make this service a priority.  If you have ‘hit pause’ on your life giving connection to Christ’s church, why not use this service as the catalyst to reconnect and join with us as we persevere together in the face of these challenging circumstances. 

Bear with one another

Bear with one another

Rev Charlie (August 2020)

We are living through some very strange and unsettling times and whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has been less prevalent here in Queensland, the impact has still been felt.  Parents have had to home-school their children, some have lost their jobs or had their work hours reduced, many have been prevented from seeing loved ones at home or abroad and holidays have been cancelled or put on hold.  Moreover, the news from other parts of the world has been disconcerting as we witness a highly unusual level of global flux.  The cumulative effect of all this is to put people on edge.  Many people are experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety, perhaps without even realising it.  

Relationships are tested in times of stress, be they at work, at home, or in the church.  You may have noticed that some of your relationships are more fraught than usual, or that you are finding it harder to be kind and patient. Maybe you have been on the receiving end of an explosive outburst from a friend, family member or work colleague.  All of this is symptomatic of a general increase in people’s stress levels.

The question is, how do we, the church, respond to this by-product of recent events?  Well, the first thing is to recognise that it is happening and make allowances for it.  Ephesians 4:2 says, ‘Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’  It is much easier to ‘bear with’ someone when we have insight into factors that may be causing them additional stress.  Moreover, because we understand that we might be less inclined to be humble, gentle, patient and loving, we make an extra effort to be so.

More than ever, the world needs the church to be a source of inspiration and hope.  Only by remaining unified can we be as a light, shining into the darkness of our world.  In many ways, society is becoming increasingly disconnected and divided; however, the church is called to buck that trend.  We are the Spirit-filled body of Christ and we must pull together more than ever, as we put our hope in the God who is over all and through all and in all.

Galatians 4: 1-5

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.