Rope & Bucket - John 4

Recently while reading John 4 I had a thought.
The first 42 verses of John 4 tell the story of the Samaritan woman who Jesus meets at the well outside the town of Sychar. It is a very well know story to Christians because it is often repeated for a variety of reasons.
It shows Jesus acceptance of all people.
It gives a clear picture of Jesus' purpose for coming to our planet.
It shows that when we meet Jesus he offers us something we had been longing for but didn't know how to find.
It shows the passion that Jesus has for saving the lost.
It is the first story of personal evangelism after conversion.
It one of the few times that Jesus says clearly that he is the Messiah.
But, there is a hidden gem in the opening dialogue. After asking for a drink and being chastised for talking to a Samaritan woman (two strikes against her) Jesus offers the woman "living water." She immediately sees the imposiblity of Jesus' offer. How can he offer her water? He doesn't have the tools or the knowledge to do what he says.

John 4:11
"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?

The woman didn't know the meaning of "living" as Jesus was using it. Therefore she assumed the meaning of "water" was exactly what she had always known it to mean. But, the adjective changed everything! In her limited understanding of what Jesus was talking about she could see that he needed a few things before he could deliver water to anyone. First he needed a rope, then he needed a bucket. And it better be a long rope - because the well was deep! Because he didn't have these things he must be using a different water source... so she asks where he's getting his water.
Her comments are perfectly reasonable. She sees Jesus' need - he needs a bucket. he needs a rope. or he needs a different water source. What she doesn't see is the meaning of his previous words.

John 4:10
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Once Jesus explained who he was what he meant by living water she was a new person. She was changed forever! And her understanding of living water no longer required a rope or a bucket. She had taken a long full drink of living water once she recognised the source!

With the drastic change in mind that happened to this woman I would like to throw a different two word phrase at you. One that meets us where we are today. One that would change us completely if we understood the meaning of the words.

Christian Church

What have we done to the church Jesus started? Where has the church the disciples grew in a matter of months gone? What has happened to the eveangelistic zeal and effectiveness of the woman at the well, the apostles, and the early church? The answer to all these questions can be found in our definition of Church. We have turned the church into a location, a group of people... Both incomplete definitions by a long shot. What is the Church really?
What about the word Christian? What has that word's definition degenerated into? A group of people (a club, clique, group, society)... a moral lifestyle that leads to healthy living and healthy relationships... What is a Christian really?
What should happen when we combine the words Christian and Church? If we were truly Christian (literally "Little Christs") what would the church be? A building? A group of people? Or would it be known for it's character rather than it's location and members?
Once the Samaritan woman understood the full meaning of Living Water she ran to her friends, family and enemies - the whole town! - and lead them to the Living Water!
I believe that once we understand the full meaning of Christian Church we will run into the world and find anyone and everyone we can and bring them to the home, heart and body of Christ!

The 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Churches - Habit 1

This afternoon I read the first of the seven deadly sins of declining Adventist churches. They have been explored in a book by Ron Gladden – an Adventist Pastor in the States.

I received the book – The 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Churches – in a parcel from my Dad last week. So far it is a very insightful and challenging read.

The first chapter focused on Pastors. Gladden suggested that pastors who are doing “the expected” are pastoring shrinking churches. But the Pastors who are focusing on three key areas are seeing growth in their members and their churches.

The three areas pastors of growing churches focus on are:

1. Leadership – Leading leaders is the key secret of massive growth – see Acts 6…
2. Personal Evangelism – Pastors who have a passion for one-on-one soul winning engender this passion in their laity.
3. Communication – Good solid preaching is at the heart of all growing churches.
   

Gladden asserts that pastors who are primarily focusing on these three areas are pastoring growing churches – or will be shortly!

Born to lead - Leadership foundations

I'm reading through Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur. In his chapter on Peter he spends some time considering whether leaders are born or made. I like a quote I have heard John Maxwell say, "I've never met a leader who wasn't born!"
MacArthur suggests that while leaders must develop their skills and gifts to be truly great leaders there are three basic characteristics that are at the foundation of all great leaders - embedded in their character from birth.
1. Inquisitiveness - always asking questions, always wanting to know "why?", "how?", "what for?".
2. Initiative - makes things happen, doesn't wait for others to get the ball rolling but runs ahead of the pack.
3. Involvement - doesn't like to watch, lives in the middle of the action and loves it.

Peter had all three of these qualities.
Due to his inquisitive nature, he asked more questions of Jesus than anyone (and got rebuked more than anyone!)
Because of his initiative, he jumped out of the boat first to walk to Jesus, spoke up when asked "who do you say that I am?" and preached the first sermon after Pentecost!
His desire to be involved lead him to the presence of Jesus many times. He was one of two disciples in the courtyard where Jesus was being accused. All the other disciples has already abandoned Christ, but Peter was still close enough to Jesus to see the pain in his eyes when Jesus looked into Peters soul as the cock crowed.

The part of this chapter that affected me the most - stopped me in my tracks actually - was a quote that I had never heard before. It was in the middle of a paragraph, almost an aside...

"As the familiar saying goes, it is much easier to tone down a fanatic than to resurrect a corpse."

This may be a familiar saying to many, but to me it is a new one. And it is a place to stop and think for a spell... It makes sense. But it requires patience. A fanatic would already be a person accustomed to action - they just need some more water in their soup and a fair bit of clear direction and strong leadership... But... I LIKE IT!

How God Changes People...

I received a very challenging and thought provoking email from one of my best friends from High School and College in the States. He and I spent countless hours together in the dorms, at big camp, driving and even singing duets together to entertain a caravan full of family members!

As I have been here in Australia ever since going into ministry he was quite surprised when he discovered that I am a pastor. And rightly so...

Here's his email...

-----

• I have a question for you? One that had been bothering me for a long time.How did you become a pastor? when I saw you name in the ministry magizine I was floored. YOU a pastor. it just did not seem to fit the person I remember? could you explain that.

-----

That really got me thinking! I reflected on my life and realised that he had an excellent question! Here is my response...

• That is a very good question!
  I took a volunteer position to Lilydale Academy in Melbourne, Australia in 1994 working as an assistant dean in the boys dorm during the evenings and mornings and as a campus ministries director during the day. I was working with a girl named Toby Norris who was doing the same thing. Together we really enjoyed the campus ministries role. After that year I decided that I really wanted to be a high school chaplain. I did some research as to what study I needed to do to become a chaplain and Theology was the answer. So, I did Theology at Avondale College (the only Adventist university in Australia!)... When I graduated I made it very clear that I wanted to be a chaplain. Instead, my internship was in a country location with one big church, one church plant, and two small country churches that were over an hour away. I was really frustrated at first. But the more I ministered to church folk the more I realised that God had led me to pastoring!
  I have been told by many people ever since I was a child that I would be a minister one day. I always argued with them. Not me. And I rebelled against that direction in my life. But, looking back, I see that God has been shaping me all along. At Rio I was Class Pastor in my Senior year (along with Jenifer Bottroff). I was also the Head RA that year. God was shaping me for leadership and spiritual leadership.
  I have often asked myself the same questions as you asked. How can I be a pastor? How can I lead people to God? How can He use me as a leader of His people. And the only answer that works at all is, "Because Jesus died on the cross for me and stands in my place before the Father." I have had a few doses of humility since being a teenager. I was spoiled and selfish. God has been working on me for the last 10+ years. This Sunday is my 10th wedding aniversary! Marriage, Fatherhood and pastoring have all lead me to a more accurate view of myself.
  I must say, looking at who I was as a youth and who I am now as an adult, that God can use anyone. He has great plans for everyone. His plans for each of our lives are specific and exciting. We just need to humble ourselves before Him and allow him to lift us up and direct our paths.
  God bless,
  Dave

-----

Isn't it amazing how God changes us so that we can be used by him? I am still greatly humbled every time that I consider what I have been called to do!

Pastor's Perspective - June 11

Perhaps you noticed the display in the hall and are wondering what's been going on in the church this week... We had a Kids Club that was lots of fun! After church today we are providing a special lunch for the kids and their parents. The parents will then be treated to a concert of songs, puppets and a brief presentation of the Gospel. For photos and more details about the kids club see the church website - rosny.blogspot.com

Pr Dave

The Whale's Tale - Kids Club

We are nearly done with week two!
Last week we ran The Whale's Tale in Collinsvale and this week are running in it Rosny.
There is an interesting difference between city and country Kids Clubs. We had between 15-18 all week in Collinsvale. But in Rosny we have been getting under 10 kids each day. We had to send most of our helpers (youth) home for the rest of the week. But we will still be having a fantastic Thank You Party for the kids that helped!
The theme for The Whale's Tale is based on a parable I wrote for a theology class at Pacific Union College. I wrote six puppet scripts to be the foundation for the Kids Club. These Scripts flesh out the ideas presented in the parable as well as teaching basic character development each day.
Jenny made the puppets! (All except for Sebastian who is from the Little Mermaid cartoon.)

Kids Club - Colinsvale

The Whale's Tale - Week 1

We have finished this weeks Kids Club in the Colinsvale Church hall! It has been a successful week with a fantastic turnout for the conclusion & concert this afternoon. We had a lovely luncheon provided for the kids, parents and grandparents which was followed by the kids performing a concert, the puppets doing the concluding segment and myself giving a short talk about the soon coming of Christ. Next week we will be doing the same program at the Rosny Church for the kids in that area.
One of the segments today was a picture review of the week. You can have a look at the Powerpoint Prestentation and enjoy the pictures of the kids and their activities for the week. (It is a 2.5 meg download, but well worth it if you have a connection to the kids, the program or my family!)
I will add the puppet scripts at the end of next week as well as some closeups of the puppets that Jenny made for this special program. I don't want to put the scripts up this week and have the Rosny kids get ahold of them before they have seen them in action!

Pastor's Perspective - June 4 "From Serfs to Farmers"

This week I listened to a book that talked about the four types of people that exist in every organisation. Serfs, Farmers, Hunters and Wizards. Each can move up to the next level by asking the right questions. Moving from being a Serf to being a Farmer is the easiest move. It is achieved by asking one simple question that Farmers ask, "What little change can I make to help this situation?" While being a Serf may seem safe, it is actually the most dangerous position to be in. Why? Because when things change the Serfs get left behind. Interestingly enough, in the Gospel Commission there is no room for Serfs. "Go... Making Disciples ... Baptising Them... Teaching Them..." Sounds like a lot of farming, hunting and magic!
Let me give you a few scenarios that are currently facing us as a church and then you ask the Farmer's question and apply the answer you come up with.
1. Our tithes and offerings have been falling progressively for months
2. There is a need for new Adventist Churches in Sorrell and Lauderdale
3. Our Primary, Junior and Youth Sabbath Schools need assistant leaders and helpers
4. Our next 40 Days Program is starting on June 25

Have I got you thinking? Good!

God Bless,

Pr Dave

Recent Book Listening

Today I finished listening to the Audiobook of Survival Is not Enough by Seth Godin. I was intrigued by a number of things in the book. And challenged by others. One thing that really got me thinking was his four catergories of people in the work place. He says there are:
Serfs - Take orders, do as commanded, expect safety, expect status quo to stay as such
Farmers - Test new ways of doing the same old thing, always testing, improving over time
Hunters - Exploring uncharted waters, bringing home ideas & resources yet unseen, Like to try new ideas and strategies
Wizards - Creating new ideas & thoughts out of thin air, always popping up with new insights and suggestions, occasionally they are right!

All afternoon I have been considering what kind of person I am. Tonight I went thru the four types with my wife. When I mentioned the Wizards she started laughing, "Well, you're certainly a wizzard!" Hmmm... so, it's that obvious is it?

Now, where was that magic wand?

Pastor's Perspective Collection

Here is a collection of Pastor's Perspectives that I have published in the Rosny Bulletin over the last year....

29/11/2004
Have you ever seen someone famous? I was in a tourist shop in Hawaii once and noticed a woman, who looked remarkably like Sigorney Weaver, looking at stuffed dolphins. Then it struck me... "She is Sigorney Weaver!" She had a baseball cap pulled low over her eyes and was making as little eye contact with people as possible. I, on the other hand, was staring at her and whispering to the person with me about my discovery.
If you met someone famous how would you act? Flustered? Shy? How would you feel? Intimidated? Overwhelmed?
One day when I was studying the Bible with two young people in Geelong their dad walked in the house followed by a man I had never seen before. The kids calmly introduced me to him, "Dave this is Gary. Gary - Dave." He said, "Hi Dave, nice to meet you." I returned the greeting and he left the room.
I returned to the study and the kids started laughing at me. I stopped... "What?" I said, bewildered.
"Do you know WHO that was?" They asked.
I was lost, "Yes. You said his name was Gary. Nice guy. Why?"
They roared! "That is Gary Abblett!"
Obviously this revelation was supposed to elicit a reaction of some surprise or awe... But it didn't. Being an American, I had never heard the name before. "Gary who?" was my unemotional response.
After a lengthy explanation of the god of Australian Rules Football I had a new respect for the man whose hand I had just shaken. A few minutes later Gary reentered the room and I had a chance to make things right. "The kids tell me you play football." I said.
Mr Abblett smiled, "bits and pieces."
I am glad I met Gary. He gave me a better understanding of what it is like for people who meet Jesus for the first time. They may have heard His name, may have even met people who know Him. But, when someone finally explains to you who it is you've just had the pleasure of meeting, the whole picture changes. You're life is changed and you suddenly have a story to tell! A story that's meant to sweep the globe quickly so that every person can know Him when He returns.
Today is a special day - A testimonial Sabbath. Today we hear some of the stories that make up our church family. Stories of the day when some of us met Jesus for the first time. Stories of Jesus' impact on our lives. Stories that changed the person telling the story. Stories that can change us as we listen. Let's meet Jesus again today as we share our hearts.

- Pr Dave


4/12/2005
What's your story?
Imagine if someone asked you, "What is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to you?" What would be your answer? What do you think Zacheaus' answer would be? What about the woman at the well? What about the Roman Centurion who said, "Surely this was the Son of God?" What about Nicodemus, Jairus, Mary Magdalene or Peter? Do you see a theme here? Anyone who has met Jesus has one major highlight in their life - the day Jesus changed everything!
Today is a testimonial Sabbath. Testimony is just a big word for "sharing your story." What is your testimony? How did you meet Jesus? What did he change for you? If you can't easily explain your ChriSTory (that moment your story and Jesus' story collided) you need to set some time aside and think it out and write it out. Then when someone says, "So, what's your story?" you'll be ready to tell them about a man who told you everything you'd ever done, raised you from the dead and called you to follow Him!

- Pr Dave



12/12/2004
This year has been a fantastic introduction to Tassie and Hilliard for our family. I know that Cyrus and Mikey have both enjoyed the school. And so have I! What a great bunch of kids and the staff are great too(except for those two guys who shaved my head!)... It's a lot colder up on top than I can ever remember. But, what a worthy cause! Mikey and Cyrus will both enjoy that new playground. I have a number of really great memories from this year at Hilliard - telling stories to the littlies every Wednesday morning, doing the Week of Prayer during first quarter, finding my very own snow-friend at the top of Mt Wellington, beating Cameron at tennis (he reckons we'll finish the game one day so, I guess it ain't over but it is 6-3, 6-5... just give me four good serves buddy!) And what about those two year 5 boys who coined a new name for me, "Can we call you Noodle?" I've never seen a name stick so well - that one made it all the way to NNSW Camp (I was speaking to the Juniors and told them... So all 250 of them called me Pastor Noodle for the whole week!) But, of all the great memories that happened this year, none hold such a fond place in my heart as baptising Brittany and Teyana. That's what life is all about - new members in the eternal family! God bless you all & I'll see ya next year!

Pr Dave


11/12/2004
I've just been chatting on the net to a teenage girl from Queensland who is trying to convince a friend that life is worth living. It's not the first time she's tried to talk a friend out of suicide. The first time she tried, she failed. Now she has made it her purpose in life to find down-and-out students at her school and love them out of their pain. Every time I chat with her she asks me deep questions about helping people. Right now we're talking about Sin - can God really forgive us for the bad things? How do you know? She needs the answers to help another suffering friend. There is a powerful life lesson in this girl's story. She's trying to save others from what she has seen happen to a loved one. How are your friends and family? What's your primary purpose in life? I hope it's to take them to Jesus. Have you ever lost someone who didn't know Jesus? Does it hurt? Then save the others. Make it your passion.

- Pr Dave


18/12/2004
Mikey carried a folded piece of cardboard around with him most of this morning. At least that's what Cyrus and Rachael said it was. But Mikey was convinced it was something more. "It's a present for Mummy," he claimed repeatedly. After withstanding hours of torment, he gave his 'present' to Jenny. She unwrapped the small parcel that had been lovingly lashed with numerous strips of sticky tape and discovered... A piece of cardboard. Upon unfolding the cardboard she found one word scrawled in Mikey font - "MUM." Mummy was overjoyed, Mikey was elated and the 'present' now stands on the mantle with the other Christmas cards.
Imagine an old barn. Imagine a newborn infant wrapped in a used shirt, lying on some half-eaten hay in a feeding trough. Imagine the father saying, "It's over dear, are you all right?" Imagine the inn-keeper sticking his head in and asking, "Is the screaming finished? People are trying to get sleep in the house." Imagine the teenage mum saying, "He's God's gift to the World." Of course she meant it. But how many of those who heard the oft-repeated statement thought there was any more to it than every other first-time-mum? "Of course he is sweety. Of course he is."
But Mary knew. Jesus was a gift from above. A gift that, when opened, reveals Divinity's plan for eternity. Much like Mikey's small card Jesus entered the world seeming rather small and insignificant. But he wasn't! It has been said that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder.' What do you see when you look at the Baby Jesus? A Christmas card? Or a gift of eternal proportions?

- Pr Dave


25/12/2004
There's something about the spirit of giving... It's infectious. I'm sure you know what I mean. Somebody gives you a gift and you are drawn to give a gift in return. Then you've got it in your blood and you start giving to others. Christmas time is a laboratory for this type of culture. It gets crazy! But, there's even more to it than wrapped boxes of chocolates and gifts. Pr Campos from Glenorchy church told me today that their carols program last Sabbath evening took up a collection for Danny's bus - over $450 was raised! For our Danny and his fantastic ministry. That's the Spirit! Jenny's parents are here for Christmas. Siggi has been painting the house all week and it looks fantastic! Elfreiede has been cooking beautiful dishes for the family and giving Jenny a break in this busy season. That's the Spirit! What has it been like around your place? Have you noticed a trickle down affect in your home from the Christmas storm outside? It's the one time in the year that the World gets caught in Christian crossfire. And they love it! The Spirit is alive and well today in Hobart. Let's keep living and giving throughout the year! And perhaps we can make a meal for the World out of this taste of the Spirit that they had this week!

Merry Christmas,

Pr Dave


1/1/2005
A little girl holds a sign for all the world to see – she is alone. A father stands holding the clothes of his infant daughter, the mother stands nearby sobbing. Earth movers dig a huge mass grave along a train line to bury everyone in the train. Whole villages and islands have been cleared of their population. Putrefying bodies left by receding waters now threaten the remaining population with disease. "This was the worst day in our history," said Sri Lankan businessman YP Wickramsinghe. "I wish I had died. There is no point in living." "People told me it was as if God had unleashed his anger on the people," said Haji Ali, a resident in Patong Labu.Was this mighty earthquake that shook the seabed and unleashed a devastating tsunami that took 100,000 lives an act of God? If not, where was God? People want to know the answer. In Colossians 4:5,6 Paul said, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." The opportunity is here. What is your answer? Where was your God?

- Pr Dave



8/1/2005
A Collinsvale man really got me thinking this week while I was visiting him in his home. He said, "The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in constant communion--constant communication. Prayer is us joining in the conversation." Then he went on to paint a picture of what it would be like if you walked into a room with three of your hero's in a given field -- he spoke of basketball. "What would I do if I was invited to join Shaq, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson in a discussion about basketball?" What would you do? Start bragging about your skills on the court? Ask for help with your jump shot? Remember, they were already in conversation and you just showed up... What would you do? Most people, if not all people, would just sit and listen - basking in the knowledge and presence of three great men. Now, what about prayer... How do you act when you enter the presence of the Holy Godhead? How often is listening your primary reason for prayer - Just to sit in God's presence and listen to his wisdom? I love that view of prayer! It really helps "listening to God" to make a lot more sense!

Pr Dave


5/2/2005
Thursday I was sitting in my car as the rain thundered down all around me. While I was seeing and experiencing the power of nature here in Tasmania my mind was far away. I was listening to the live "State of the Union Address" given by President George W. Bush in America. I listened as he spoke of the American people--their past, their present and their future. He said many things, all of them directed at making his people feel that things were moving ahead for America and for the World because of America.
After I got out of the car, and had some time to go over his speech in my mind, a new thought came to me. What if Jesus showed up once a year and gave a "State of the Church Address" to all of Christianity? What would he say this year? We know the past and we know the future, but what would he say about what is going on now? What state is His union of workers currently in? Many are lazy. Most are selfish. Few are
passionate about telling their friends and family about Jesus. Would Jesus' speech make us cheer wildly like President Bush's did for the American people?
We need to stop waiting for the next big thing to come out of the Conference, Union, Division or wherever and offer ourselves be used for the Glory of God right now, right where we are! Are you ready to bring someone to Jesus? Then tell Jesus you're His servant! And ask him to use you for a personal revival today!

Pr Dave

26/2/2005
This week I spent two days in Melbourne. They were long days - I was in meetings from 9am-9pm. But, they were fantastic days! We spent the time talking, planning and praying about evangelism, church health and the well being of our pastors.
The Ministerial Secretaries from each conference, Union President Chester Stanley and Union Evangelist Geoff Youlden were there sharing their stories, statistics and visions for the future. And they all worked together. For two days there wasn't an unkind word spoken. No one raised thier voice in anger or frustration. (There were plenty of raised voices in laughter!)
And now I ponder... What can cause 11 dynamic Leaders to come together in such unity and peace? Only one thing - the commitment of each man to Jesus' vision for the people of Earth. We were all there for one reason - to see Australia brought to Christ. Imagine what people would expereince in coming to Rosny Seventh-day Adventist Church if we were each completely compelled by the Love of Christ for a lost world...

Pr Dave

19/3/2005
"In just a moment I am going to ask you to make a new commitment in your walk with Jesus. I want you to be ready."
The Franklin Graham Programs last weekend had a huge impact on Tasmania! Total attendance for the three sessions was 10520 and total who came forward to give their hearts to Jesus was 612! I was so impressed with Franklin's style that I have been talking about it all week. His sermon wasn't that flash. He wasn't animated (he never left his pulpit). It was his invitation to Jesus that was so practiced and effective. I guess that is because he does it so often and he had a great role model in his father.
The challenge that has faced me is, "How can I be that bold in sharing my faith and calling people to Jesus?" I have talked to a number of kids at the school about sharing their faith. I have challenged them to be bold in their love for Jesus. How many times in your life have you shared your faith boldly? What can you do to increase this number? I have decided that from now on I will be more intentional in my faith sharing and more direct in the invitations I give others to make commitments.
So, now it's your turn. If you would like to get serious about Jesus' call for each of us to lead people to Him I challenge you to develop a boldness in your faith sharing. Let's do it together!

Pr Dave

26/03/2005
Today is a very special day! It is a day of looking back, a day of finishing and a day of beginning.
Today is Easter Sabbath. It is the day that Jesus rested in the tomb. The price had been paid, but the outcome was still unsure. Was Jesus dead forever? Was there any hope for those who loved and followed him? We know the rest of the story and we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus that assures us not only of our salvation from sin, but our eternal reward of life with Him. We look back to that cataclysmic day of change in the universal destiny of mankind. We look back in awe. We look back in thanks and praise for the cross and the empty tomb.
Today we are finishing our 40 Days of Loving Relationships. The series has gone very well and many people have been drawn closer to each other and to Jesus. The stories from small groups and personal testimonies are many. This last six weeks has been a real blessing for our church.
Today is a new beginning for Dylan and Melinda. They have been growing closer to Jesus for months now and the day has finally arrived for them to demonstrate their commitment to Jesus and accept his sacrifice on their behalf. Today is a "rebirthday" for Dylan and Melinda. May God bless them in their future with Him!
What a special Sabbath we have today! Stay by afterward for lunch and get to know your friends and family here at Rosny Seventh-day Adventist Church even better.

God Bless,

Pr Dave


30/4/2005
Have you ever seen someone famous? I was in a tourist shop in Hawaii once and noticed a woman, who looked remarkably like Sigorney Weaver, looking at stuffed dolphins. Then it struck me... "She is Sigorney Weaver!" She had a baseball cap pulled low over her eyes and was making as little eye contact with people as possible. I, on the other hand, was staring at her and whispering to the person with me about my discovery.
If you met someone famous how would you act? Flustered? Shy? How would you feel? Intimidated? Overwhelmed?
One day when I was studying the Bible with two young people in Geelong their dad walked in the house followed by a man I had never seen before. The kids calmly introduced me to him, "Dave this is Gary. Gary - Dave." He said, "Hi Dave, nice to meet you." I returned the greeting and he left the room.
I returned to the study and the kids started laughing at me. I stopped... "What?" I said, bewildered.
"Do you know WHO that was?" They asked.
I was lost, "Yes. You said his name was Gary. Nice guy. Why?"
They roared! "That is Gary Abblett!"
Obviously this revelation was supposed to illicit a reaction of some surprise or awe... But it didn't. Being an American, I had never heard the name before. "Gary who?" was my unemotional response.
After a lengthy explanation of the god of Australian Rules Football I had a new respect for the man whose hand I had just shaken. A few minutes later Gary reentered the room and I had a chance to make things right. "The kids tell me you play a bit of football." I said.
Mr Abblett smiled, "bits and pieces."
I am glad that I met Gary. He gave me a better understanding of what it is like for people who meet Jesus for the first time. They may have heard His name, may have even met people who know Him. But, when someone finally explains to you who it is you've just had the pleasure of meeting, the whole picture changes. You're life is changed and you suddenly have a story to tell! A story that's meant to sweep to globe quickly so that every person can know Him when He returns.
Today is a special day - A testimonial Sabbath. Today we hear some of the stories that make up our church family. Stories of the day when some of us met Jesus for the first time. Stories of Jesus' impact on our lives. Stories that changed the person telling the story. Stories that can change us as we listen. Let's meet Jesus again today as we share our hearts.

- Pr Dave

The Book of Life
It's late Thursday night and I'm reflecting on my day. I saw the full spectrum of life today.
This morning I presided over a funeral for my neighbour, Bill. He was 87 years old and had Motor Neuron's Disease. We watched him over the last year as he deteriorated very quickly. As I stood in the pulpit looking out at the 100+ people who attended, I realised what the life of one person who loves much can leave behind. Bill was a good man and his legacy lives on in those he loved.
This afternoon I went to the maternity ward and visited a new little person, Ella-Dawn Holden. I don't know which was more touching - the pride in Luke's eyes as his tiny daughter snuggled into his chest, or Ella's expression of complete tranquility and trust! But one thing is sure, Meridith and Luke are truly blessed.
I am a different person now than I was this morning before leaving the house. I have seen and experienced the bookends of life. And I recognise that today was a special page in my book, a day that reminded me of the title page and previewed the final chapter. And while I know how many pages have been written, I do not know how many remain.
After tucking the kids in bed tonight I sat on the foot of Rachael's bed and watched my Ella-Dawn drift to sleep. I only hope that when I turn to tomorrow's page I will not forget what was written today. For today was a day truly blessed.

Pr Dave


14/5/2005
This week I have been in Albury, NSW speaking to the students of Border Christian College for their Week of Prayer. My theme has been that God works thru "nobodies". It has been amazing what emotions the talks have dredged up in the kids. I have had numerous talks with young people who have told me their stories. The message that has come so very loud and clear from the kids is that they learn from the actions and words of their parents so much more than from anything else.
One girl sat crying as she told me of her dad shouting, "I hate you. This family would be better off if you were dead." I nearly cried too as I shared with her how valuable she was to God. I bumped into one of the grade 10 boys in the shops after school. He was smoking. I asked him how long he'd been a smoker. "A long time. Since I was eleven." When I asked him how he got cigarettes he just smiled and said, "My dad smokes. He gives them to me. He's cool!" This morning a 15 year old girl told me that she lives with her Grandparents because her mum is a drug addict. Another girl caught my arm right after the first meeting Monday morning, "Can you pray for something? My parents are getting a divorce. Can you pray about that?"
How can they hear us? How can these wonderful young people hear our caring words when their whole reality is being rocked by parents who are self-absorbed and dysfunctional? How can we make Christ real to them?
I've decided to start at home. To make sure I am who my kids need me to be. After this week I can say without any doubt that there is nothing more important in the whole world than to make sure my kids have a dad they can follow and trust. But what about all these other broken kids? We can care. We can pray. We can be examples of Christian love. We can share Jesus with them. He makes sense to kids like these. He really does.

Pr Dave


21/5/2005
Friday morning I took Rachael to the Moonah McDonalds to play on the playground. As I was sitting there reading a book a lady tapped me on the shoulder. "You are speaking good English?" she questioned. I informed her that I am able to speak English.
She then produced a few handwritten pages and said, "You eat first. Then you make my English good for professional letter. Ok?" I smiled and said that would be fine.
After spending about an hour with her translating her explanation of the pages, we had produced a reasonable affidavit of an event in which she had been involved. We also got to know each others stories. Her two children were with her and played with Rachael while we worked.
After they left I began to consider our mission at a people of God. How could I have taken her from that conversation to Jesus? I mentioned Hillard. I talked about being a church pastor. But, we never got to matters of faith...
This afternoon we are going to have a time of prayer and planning in which we will discuss our mission as a church. We will consider how we can fulfill the Great Commission in our outreach, nurture, discipleship and leadership. We are called, not to be good people, but to bring those who don't know Jesus into his presence.
Join us this afternoon as we reach toward a greater understanding and participation in Christ's mission for His church.

Pr Dave

Sermon - Where was God?

<>By Pr David Edgren

Preached Jan 1, 2005 at Colinsvale, Tasmaina
Preached Jan 8, 2005 at Rosny, Tasmania

Intro:
A little girl holds a sign for all the world to see – she is alone. A father stands holding the clothes of his infant daughter, the mother stands nearby sobbing. Earth movers dig a huge mass grave along a train line to bury everyone in the train. Whole villages and islands have been cleared of their population. Putrefying bodies left by receding waters now threaten the remaining population with disease.

"This was the worst day in our history," said Sri Lankan businessman YP Wickramsinghe. "I wish I had died. There is no point in living."

"People told me it was as if God had unleashed his anger on the people,'' said Haji Ali, a resident in Patong Labu.

Was this mighty earthquake that shook the seabed and unleashed a devastating tsunami that took over 125,000 lives an act of God? If not, where was God?

Act of God vs Act of Satan

<>
Matt 13:24-30;36-43 Wheat and Tares

Kingdom of Heaven – man sows good seed

Enemy sows Tares at night (when all are asleep)

Q. Where does evil come from? Who plants the evil in this world?

A. v39 – Satan sows them

Q. What (WHO!) are the weeds?

A. v38 – The sons of the evil one

Q. When is Evil “weeded” out?

A. At the end of the age

The Origin of Evil

Rev 12 – War in Heaven

Devil-Deciever, serpent,

Took 1/3 of the angels with him

Eze – 28:12-15

Satan (king of tyre) was in Eden,

Was in Heaven

Was a guardian Cherub

Lucifer made a devil of himself

Q. Did God make Lucifer faulty? Did he create him with a bug in his system?

A. He was perfect, but corrupted himself

Challenged God for rulership of heaven

Isa 14:12-14

Visions of Grandeur

He had “I” trouble! – The mentally ill use the words my, me, and I much more often than normal people

Wanted to be like the most High God – HOW? Creature overthrowing creator? Impossible!

Thought he could run the universe better than his creator

Why didn’t God destroy Lucifer when he went bad?

1. God is a god of love and wants us to love and trust him – not be afraid of him
1. Illus: your children – did you get a contract saying, “they will be perfect, faultless, and kind.”? Did you even expect that? No – you probably expected “selfish, dirty and mean”! (WHY DID YOU HAVE THEM?)
2. God gives everyone the freedom to obey or disobey
3. Allowed Satan to have a “test case” scenario
1. Earth became the stage for the great controversy
2. 1. cor 4:9 – “We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.”
3. Eph 6:11-12 – Satan will use whatever means he can to deceive us therefore we must wear armour made especially for this type of battle
4. Gen 3 – Satan misled and lied to Eve, calling God a liar and unfair
5. Satan had hijacked the newborn world – becoming the Prince of Earth
6. Blame Game – Adam à Eve à Serpent à God (who made serpents!)
7. John 8:44 (Devil is a liar and father of lies)

A total of 8,810 promises in the Word of God.

· 7,487 promises by God to man

· 2 promises by God the Father to God the Son

· 991 promises by one man made to another

· 290 promises made by man to God

· 21 promises made by angels

· 1 made by a man to an angel

· 2 made by an evil spirit to the Lord

· Satan made 9 promises (and lied 9 times)

Q. What role does Lucifer play in our lives now?

Quote: “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.”

Luke 13:16 – Jesus healed a woman whom Satan had bound for 18 years

Job 1:7-

1. Job 1:7 – From where do you come (ie ‘who invited you!’) Earth
2. Job 1:8 – Job=blameless and upright man
3. Satan – “raise your hand against Job” Jesus – “I will lift my hand of protection, you do what you will… but…”
4. 1. cattle stolen, 2 lighting kills sheep, 3. camels stolen, 4 all 10 kids killed
5. Job 2 Satan says – Hurt Job. God says – I lift my hand, you can touch him
6. Who was it that plagued Job? Satan!
7. The Lord may allow things to happen, but Satan is responsible for all evil on earth

Q. What role does Lucifer play in our lives now?

A. Satan is responsible for all evil, pain, sorrow and death

Illus: Tsunami warning centre – “We don’t have anyone in that area in our address book”

Frantic warnings
In Los Angeles, the head of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said US officials who detected the undersea quake tried frantically to get a warning out about the tsunami.
But there was no official alert system in the region, said Charles McCreery, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's centre in Honolulu.
"It took an hour and a half for the wave to get from the earthquake to Sri Lanka and an hour for it to get ... to the west coast of Thailand and Malaysia," he said.
"We tried to do what we could. We don't have contacts in our address book for anybody in that part of the world," he said.

Q. So, where was God when the Earthquake hit and the tidal wave began to roll towards hundreds of thousands of helpless people?

A. He was there. Watching. Where is he now? Still there suffering with those who have lost loved ones.

1 peter 5:8 – Satan=roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour!

God Gave us freedom by giving his Son, and His Son gave himself to die on the cross

John 3:16 – God sent his son to save us, because he loves us!

Heb 2:14 – thru death he destroyed him who had the power of death (the devil)

We see earthquakes, tidal waves, death and destruction. But what we don’t see is the Devil standing behind the supernatural curtain controlling and causing all the evil on this earth.

2. cor 11:14 – “for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

Rev 16:14 – Satan and his angels can work miracles “They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs”

Matt 24:24 – Satan cal give men power to do miracles – false Christs, false prophets

²³At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. ²⁴For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect–if that were possible. ²⁵See, I have told you ahead of time.

1 Samuel 11 – Nahash (serpant) the Ammonite besieges Jabesh Gilead – victims “make a treaty with us!”

Nahash – Ok. I will make a treaty with you if you allow me to gouge out the right eye of every man.

Right eye – fighting eye. As long as we are on the devensive Satan is happy. He just doesn’t want any offensive Christians.

What do you pray for? Protection, peace, happiness? Or… Bravery, Power to act, Desire for lost souls?

Q. Has the Devil Gouged out your fighting eye? How can we fight today?

Illus: Pregnant woman – picnic at riverside – toddler falls in water. Woman can’t swim. She knows if she jumps in she will die. She screams for help. Watches her child flailing in the water. Help comes. Too late. The man jumps in and recovers the body of her little boy only to discover that the water is only waste deep. The woman could have saved her child with no danger to herself. But she failed to try because she believed it to be impossible.

Q. How do we fight today?

A. Stop believing yourself to be incapable. Jump in the water. The people in the world don’t need rocket scientists, they need a quick helping hand. You can do it! Go on the offensive! Attack the Devil by plucking people out of the quagmire of sin. Drag them to shore, take them to Jesus. And he will give them life!

Who’s side are you on?

Matt 11:28 – come to me! ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

John 6:37 – if you come, he will claim you- “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

Wont you choose Jesus to be your Lord and King?

And if you have taken Jesus as your Saviour wont you serve him by saving others?

My family and I were enjoying the most beautiful island Phi Phi when without warning hell broke loose. I had only moments [before] left an Internet cafe when people started running. My first thoughts was that something such as a movie star was on the island and so the locals were running to see, then a person just said one word, "wave". There was no time to wait and see as the crowd running had now within 10 seconds had turned into something similar to the "running of the bulls" . I was not with my wife and 2 children but just started running. About 50 metres up the greatest site hit me when I saw my family exit a shop where my boys were having haircuts. I yelled for them to just run. The mass of people running were now starting to trample people as the sound of the wave was evident and a reality to us. I saw a Thai man veer away from the crowd and duck through a 1 metre wide gap between a building. The water was now only 20 metres behind us and was coming from all directions. I felt that the people running were running blind and that the Thai man that went through the gap must know where he was going as to make that choice. We followed him and he led us to scaffolding and up into a concrete building site. The water hit 5 seconds later underneath us. We were some of the lucky ones who lived. We spent the day up in the rainforest hills on Phi Phi until I ventured down to asses the situation. There is so much more to tell. The death and injured was surreal to understand. Us "foreigners" bound together, language problems seemed irrelevant as we knew what had to be done - help the injured.

- Joshua Magnus who was holidaying with his family at Phi Phi.