A “Must Hear” address — Dave Jensen at the ACL Synod Dinner 2024

Posted on September 16, 2024 
Filed under Encouragement, Evangelism, Sydney Diocese

“Taking the evangelistic temperature of the Diocese of Sydney” is the topic of Dave Jensen’s address at the Anglican Church League’s Synod Dinner held on 16th September 2024. Dave is the Assistant Director of Evangelism and New Churches in the Diocese of Sydney. (Larger image.)

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or download the mp3 file here (right click to download).

Here is a summarised version of Dave Jensen’s address:

Bible Reading: Act 5:17-26.

There is no shortage of non-Christian people in our city, and the number will continue to grow as our city grows. And yet, this is the hardest time for evangelism in Australia’s history. Being a public Christian and sharing the gospel has never been more complicated. On the other hand—this is the greatest time for evangelism in Australia’s history! There has never been a better time to share the gospel. Despite the difficulties and dangers, biblical, historical, and observational evidence provide us with attitudes of action, initiative, and hope.

How can both of these things be true?

In Acts 5, there is an astonishing interaction between Peter and John and the Sanhedrin. Luke has already described numerical and gospel growth, along with the growth of opposition. Peter and John have been hauled before the Sanhedrin and ordered not to teach in the name of Jesus anymore. But as Acts 5 continues, we see the apostles continue this public gospel ministry. They’re arrested, re-arrested, and flogged—yet they continue to preach. The apostles proclaim with clarity the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Suffering and opposition do not prevent their worship and witness; they fuel it! When they face opposition, they leave the Sanhedrin rejoicing for being counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name! So they return.

Why do they do this and respond in this way? It is significant that the second time they are captured, there is no angelic prison break—and the large-scale persecution of the church begins. If God has the power to prevent their pain and persecution, why would he bring them back to the same place and not release them from prison? Why would God allow what he has the power to prevent? There can only be one possible answer. He has a purpose of greater value—something he holds as of greater worth than our comfort and pleasure in this life: “this new life” (verse 20). The new life that comes to us through trusting in the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is worth more than anything else because it lasts forever.

So, the disciples keep the big picture in mind: the eternal perspective of assured salvation in Christ. So, this passage gives us two priorities for evangelism:

Firstly, above all else, we must prioritise gospel proclamation. People’s greatest need in this life is spiritual—so we need to proclaim the life-transforming gospel of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, suffering for the gospel is not an enemy to be avoided—it’s a privilege to be endured. We might believe that by watering down, we reach out. We can be tempted to make the gospel more palatable or first to persuade people how beautiful Christianity is before we eventually share the gospel with them. But that is wrong. As we suffer, we make the saving sacrifice of Jesus visible.

So, this is the hardest time for evangelism in Australia’s history. But it’s also the greatest time for evangelism in Australia’s history because as we suffer, the love of Jesus and the gospel shines through the words we say.

God isn’t done with Sydney! People are being converted all over the place. We have a job to do—let’s stick to it. Let’s do it with hope and determination. Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, who for the hope set before him, endured the cross.

Some quotes from attendees:

Trevor Cairney: The talk was incredible—it was challenging and so right about the times we live in. People are miserable and hurting; they need and want people to talk to them about the gospel. This was a timely message: we need to have more!

Susan An: I really appreciated Dave talking about both the difficulties and opportunities we have in sharing the gospel.

Photos with thanks to Ben Warren.