Illawarra’s Wave of Hope

“Christians in the Illawarra have prayed high and low for the coming Hope for the Illawarra events, from Mount Keira to Wollongong Harbour.

‘It’s a combination of 18 months of endeavour,’ says Bishop Peter Hayward, chairman of the committee that has organised three major opportunities to share Jesus on March 28 and 29. …”

– Food for prayer – from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Hope for Sydney

“The Buddhist faith in which I was raised as a child teaches rebirth. The Christian faith into which, by God’s grace, I was rescued, teaches that you must be born again. So, it could sound like these two faiths have something in common. But in fact, this is not so.

The ‘rebirth’ taught by the Buddhist faith says that, after death, you are born into another lifetime. It’s called rebirth because the life into which you are reborn depends on the life you have lived – what you sow in one life you reap in your next life. …”

– Archbishop Kanishka Raffel shares the hope everyone needs.
At SydneyAnglicans.net.

Openness to Jesus among young people — The Pastor’s Heart

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“We are hearing reports from the university campuses, from young adult ministries, and from youth groups – that there is an increasing openness to the gospel of Jesus – and there’s a new openness among young men.

There’s a shift in the culture. There’s something happening that is different among young people – Especially among young men.

There’s a greater biblical ignorance in the rising generation. But significantly more openness.

There’s less hostility when compared to a decade ago. Walk up evangelism is easier and people are more open to discussing their views on Jesus.

And people are being saved. And young men are being saved

Andy Stephenson heads the Youth Ministry support team for Anglican Youthworks.

Dave Jensen works with Evangelism and New Churches encouraging and mobilizing churches in Evangelism and is one of the keynote speakers at the Nexus Ministry Conference on 17 March 2025.

Katie Stringer is involved in high school ministry across Sydney’s secular inner west.”

– Watch or listen here.

Bishop of Canberra-Goulburn’s Christmas message 2024

“Light in the Darkness

Even down-under, where the days are growing longer and hotter, we find ourselves drawn to the imagery of candles as Christmas approaches. That’s because light shining in darkness is a powerful picture of what Christmas can mean for us.

One of the four New Testament accounts of Jesus life, the gospel of John, doesn’t begin with the events of Christmas. There’s no Joseph and Mary, no baby, no shepherds and certainly no donkey. Instead, the gospel begins with a profound meditation and reflection on the significance of these events and how they fit into God’s purposes for humanity and the whole of creation …”

– Read Bishop Mark Short’s Christmas message from the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn for 2024. (PDF file.)

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s 2024 Christmas message — God does not leave us alone

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has released his Christmas message for 2024 — God with us in our loneliness.

Good to watch – good to share — good to play in church!

See also this post from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net, which includes a link to the text of the Archbishop’s message (PDF file).

The Source of Permanent Joy

“I don’t want a fix of joy; but its permanent presence. …

What we need is not an injection of joy, but a reason for joy: the announcement of truths that, if believed and received, will build in the base of one’s soul and convictions a stone pier of joy that will remain immovable no matter what the tides and winds and storms of human existence in a fallen world.

In Luke’s Gospel, Mary and Elizabeth’s meeting is filled with loud greetings, hearty hugs and kisses, in utero leaps, and exuberant blessings. It dances with light and joy…”

– At AP, Campbell Markham turns to Luke chapter 1 for the reason for our joy.

Bishop Mark Calder’s Christmas message 2024

Here’s the Christmas 2024 Video Media Release from Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder.

Text version below:

Joy to the World

We sing it every year, and we hear the familiar words: peace on earth. But as we look around our world, we might ask, where is the joy, and where is the peace?

The peace that Jesus came to bring was not the end of wars and strife in the world. It is a far deeper peace—peace with God. This peace comes through the forgiveness of sins, which Jesus made possible through his death and resurrection.

Because of this peace—a peace that goes beyond our understanding—we can be people of great joy. When we come to God, say sorry, and receive his forgiveness, we can know that everything we’ve mucked up in the past has been dealt with and forgiven.

This Christmas, my hope is that you will experience the peace that Jesus came to bring—a peace that leads to lasting joy.

Wishing you a joyful and peaceful Christmas.

– Good to share.

A Devotional on the Most Glorious of Birthdays by Charles Spurgeon

“The angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:10)

The birth of Christ should be the subject of supreme joy. We have the angelic warrant for rejoicing because Christ is born. It is a truth so full of joy that it caused the angel who came to announce it to be filled with gladness. …”

– Crossway has republished this excerpt from an 1976 sermon by Charles Spurgeon, plus some commentary by Leland Ryken.

(It’s to raise awareness of a new book of classic Christmas devotions.)

You can be Certain — Luke 1.26-38

“What do we do with Mary? We don’t pray to her or worship her, or claim she remained a virgin – for the very same reason we believe the virgin birth… because we trust the Bible to tell us what is true and real… and if it’s not here – in the orderly account – we don’t claim it or teach it or embrace it! But we ARE moved by her beautiful submission and surrender… and we endeavour to live with her level of trust: ‘I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to be me fulfilled.’ ”

– Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder continues his Advent series.

Also from the Diocese of Bathurst:

“This morning Bishop Calder announced the appointment of lay stipendiary ministers for an initial period of 6 months to the parish of Nyngan – praise God for the generous sacrifices involved for Philip and Deanne Gerber.”

You can be certain — Luke 1:1-4

Bishop Mark Calder begins his Advent/Christmas series for the Diocese of Bathurst: You can be certain

December 01 ADVENT 1 Why? Luke 1:1-4
December 08 ADVENT 2 John the Baptist prepared the way. Luke 1:5-25
December 15 ADVENT 3 Jesus was miraculously conceived. Luke 1:26-38
December 22 ADVENT 4 God’s eternal promises were being fulfilled. Luke 1:39-56
December 25 CHRISTMAS A Saviour was born – Messiah and Lord! Luke 2:1-21.

Watch the first talk at this link.

Encouragement for church members, and great to share.

Evangelising Adults through Song: Colin’s Calvary Road Show

“Beyoncé, Madonna, Adele, Bono, Slash, Ringo, Drake… how many artists are recognised by merely their first name? In Australian Christian circles, Colin has reached such dizzying heights. For thirty years his name has been synonymous with Christian kids’ music, and for good reason. He has perhaps evangelised more Australians than anyone else this century, recorded hundreds of theologically robust songs, many that will likely be sung for generations.

But did you know Colin also does great concerts for adults?…”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Kingsley Davidson introduces Colin  Buchanan’s The Calvary Road LP and Show.

Photo: The Gospel Coalition Aust.

Eternity: The Power of a Word

“Arthur Malcolm Stace (1885-1967) was a returned Australian soldier who served in in World War I and later became known as ‘Mr Eternity’.

Stace grew up in an impoverished and broken family. His mother handed him over to foster care at the age of seven, and his sisters would end up working as prostitutes.

By the age of 14, Stace was an alcoholic. He would turn to booze to escape his pain and misery. However, all it did was increase the sorrow of his heart. …”

– In this brief sketch at AP, James Jeffery reminds us of the wonderful discovery made by Arthur Stace – and calls us all to live in the light of eternity.

Image: at left, Photo of Arthur Stace by Les Nixon. at right, The Eternity memorial at the waterfall in Sydney Arcade between Town Hall and St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

John Newton to William Wilberforce, 15th November 1786

At St. Thomas’ North Sydney yesterday, King Charles and Queen Camilla signed the The First Fleet Bible and the Book of Common Prayer which were carried here by the Rev. Richard Johnson, the first Chaplain to the Colony. Those books are tangible reminders of the commitment of Johnson and those who sent him to bring Good News to these distant shores.

Not long before the Fleet sailed, John Newton wrote to his friend William Wilberforce of their hopes in sending a Chaplain –

“Who can tell what important consequences may depend upon Mr Johnson’s going to New Hollands! It may seem but a small event at present. So a foundation stone, when laid, is small compared with the building to be erected upon it; but it is the beginning and the earnest of the whole.

This small beginning, may be like the dawn, which advances to a bright day, and lead on to the happy time, when many nations, which now sit in darkness, and in the region of the shadow of death, shall rejoice in the light of the Sun of Righteousness.” [Referring to Isaiah 9:2 and Malachi 4:2.]

– From a letter from John Newton to William Wilberforce, 15 November 1786.

(With thanks to Marylynn Rouse – who has more here – at The John Newton Project.)

Video screenshot with thanks to St. Thomas’ North Sydney.

The Greatest event in Human History — Dave Jensen on John 19:16-30

Dave Jensen spoke at the lunch hour service at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London on Tuesday (15th October 2024).

“Dave discusses the greatest event in human history and how it impacts each one of us.”

His topic: ‘It is Finished’ – and John 19:16-30.

An excellent message to share with your friends.

– Watch or listen.

Where is our mission confidence?

“Last week, I enjoyed Xiao Long Bao with the family in a restaurant just behind Bourke Street in Melbourne City. On our way back to the car, we walked past two billboards casting their messages onto the famous Swanston and Flinders Street intersection.

The first billboard was hilarious; it advertised Melbourne’s Fringe Festival by emulating Paris’ Olympic Opening Ceremony with a Last Supper mock-up. Melbourne’s creatives apparently have the comedic and artistic flair of the inside of a vacuum: ‘Let stupidity repeat itself’! (no I’m not offended, except by the boorishness).

The second billboard stands outside St Paul’s Cathedral. This gothic lookalike sits on the busiest intersection in Melbourne’s CBD. It is a favourite spot for news reporters, city workers, protesters, and more. In every direction a tram is clicketing with passengers heading to the MCG or to theatre shows and the symphony.

With this kind of amazing frontage, which is probably unbeatable anywhere else in all of Melbourne, what message would you like to convey to the 100,000s people who pass by every day?…”

– Murray Campbell in Melbourne has some important observations for all churches.

Here’s another message, posted by private individuals, across from St. Paul’s Cathedral several years ago:

Next Page →