Preaching Class with John Piper — 30 Videos
Posted on September 12, 2021
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“John Piper—co-founder of Desiring God, former preaching pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, and author of The Supremacy of God in Preaching and Expository Exultation: Christian Preaching as Worship—has recorded 19 mini-lectures on preaching (about 10 minutes each, for a total of about four hours). This is then followed by a two-and-a-half hour workshop where Piper is joined by three younger local preaching pastors to talk through various issues. …”
– Justin Taylor draws attention to what promises to be a very helpful resource.
John Piper’s 9/11 Radio Interview
Posted on September 11, 2021
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From Desiring God:
“Twenty years ago today, at 8:14 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 was highjacked. And with it began a nightmare no one who lived through it will forget. …
The following morning, Pastor John was called on to be one of the Christians who would speak into the tragedy — for him, on KTIS, a local radio station. Where was God on 9/11? There, for about forty minutes, he spoke wisdom into the shock and sorrow.
We want to share the recording with you today on Ask Pastor John, on this twentieth anniversary. The interview covers the importance of grieving and creating space for sorrow, yet a sorrow under God’s all-encompassing sovereignty. Pastor John explains why 9/11 was a call for national humbling, a wake-up call. God was shaking the foundations of America and calling sinners to come to Christ — a global call not just for Americans but also for Palestinians, Saudis, and Afghans. …”
– Read the background and listen – at Desiring God.
Editorial from the GAFCON GB & Europe September 2021 Newsletter
Posted on September 11, 2021
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“…and then the end will come”: How looking forward to our ultimate future brings encouragement in confusing times.
As he walked with his disciples in Jerusalem, Jesus used their amazement at the vast scale of Herod’s temple building to teach them about the puniness of human endeavour in comparison with the power of God in control of a world which seems out of control. He gave them a concise summary of what would happen during the next 2000+ years: wars, natural disasters, false religion and persecution of God’s people, but also, salvation, and his return …
– An encouraging editorial from the current GAFCON GB & Europe Newsletter.
(Link via Anglican Mainstream.)
Church in Wales ‘abandons the Christian faith’
Posted on September 11, 2021
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“On Monday 6 September, the Church in Wales voted to allow its clergy to bless same-sex ‘marriages’ and civil partnerships.
This was not entirely unexpected given the decline of Christian doctrine and ethics within the Church in Wales in recent years. …”
– Carys Moseley at AnglicanInk looks at what the Church in Wales’ decision amounts to.
See also:
Church approves blessing service for same-sex partnerships – The Church in Wales.
Church in Wales gives ‘gospel-inspired lead’ to C of E, says Bishop of Liverpool – Church Times.
Photo: Bishop Gregory Cameron, courtesy The Church in Wales.
Seeing God at Ground Zero: an Aussie’s testimony from 9/11
Posted on September 11, 2021
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“A meteorologist would tell you there were sprawling areas of high pressure, but to me it was simply a picture-perfect day for my last full day in New York, and an opportunity to explore the tourist hot spots. First on the list was the viewing observatory inside the World Trade Center’s South Tower. It was Tuesday, September 11, 2001. …”
– Two years ago The Australian Church Record published this reflection and testimony from Anthony Philips. Good to re-read and share.
See also:
‘September 11 – Twenty Years On…’ – John Mason at Anglican Connection.
“Twenty years ago Judith and I were living three short blocks south of the Twin Towers in Downtown Manhattan. We had awakened that Tuesday morning to clear blue skies and the sparkling waters of New York Harbor. But it was not to last. …”
The Day the World Stood Still — Dean Phillip Jensen, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, September 11 2011.
Government roadmap unveiled, including churches
Posted on September 9, 2021
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“The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has unveiled a roadmap for opening up once New South Wales reaches the vaccination target of 70% double vaccination.
She says the new rules will be effective on the Monday after the vaccine milestone is reached.
That has been estimated, on current projections, as October 18 but that date may change. …”
– The latest from SydneyAnglicans.net
Debating the Church and same-sex marriage
Posted on September 9, 2021
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“On Friday 3rd September, at 2.10 pm, I had a phone call from a number I did not recognise. When I answered, it turned out to be from a BBC researcher asking if I would appear on BBC1 on Sunday morning for a debate about the Church of England and same-sex marriage, in the light of the coming vote taking place in the Church in Wales.
I have been preaching in different churches, covering for vacancies, but it just happened that this Sunday I did not have a commitment.
As I have said elsewhere, when someone makes a media request like this, the first thing to say is ‘Yes’…”
– Dr Ian Paul shares his experience (and video) of being interviewed on BBC TV last week. Do pray for those who stand for the authority of God’s Word.
The interview can be seen here – and this exchange calls to mind Luke 11:17.
A Profile of Moral Collapse: President Biden, Abortion, and the Culture of Death
Posted on September 9, 2021
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“Almost fifty years after Roe v. Wade, abortion remains the moral issue in American public discourse and politics.
There are very few profiles in courage in American politics. This seems especially true when it comes to the defense of unborn life. The political predicament of a pro-life politician is this – the political class and the New York-Hollywood-Silicon Valley axis reward those who abandon pro-life positions and condemn those who refuse to surrender.
A particularly important profile in moral collapse now resides in the White House. The story of President Joe Biden’s slippery shape-shifting on the abortion issue is both revealing and horrifying.
Brace yourself. …”
– In his latest essay, Albert Mohler looks at what happens when leaders abandon their ‘devoutly held beliefs’ for political expediency. This is not a ‘party political’ commentary, but a chronicling of one man’s moral shift, at the expense of countless unborn lives. Mohler ends with a challenge to us all.
SparkLit Awards Author Interviews
Posted on September 8, 2021
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The SparkLit Awards Night was held last week, with Stephen McAlpine winning the Australian Christian Book of the Year Award for his book “Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World that Says You Shouldn’t” (available from The Wandering Bookseller and other Christian bookshops).
SparkLit has now released video interviews with shortlisted authors, including Professor Graeme Clark AC (pictured), inventor of the “bionic ear”.
On the SparkLit YouTube channel.
How I came to know Jesus — Scott Newling
Posted on September 7, 2021
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“I do not know when God called me to salvation, and I am content with that because, whenever it was, my election has always been certain and sure. So the when of my calling is not so important to me: the fact of it is everything. Nevertheless, in God’s providence, the people of St John’s Asquith were instrumental in the path that led to my salvation, which I’ll always cherish and for which I’ll always be thankful. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Scott Newling shares the story of how he was saved. Thanks be to God.
See also:
How I came to know Jesus – Pip Taylor.
How I came to know Jesus – Ben George.
In the Lord I Take Refuge: Daily Devotions on the Psalms with Dane Ortlund
Posted on September 7, 2021
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Crossway is hosting Dane Ortlund’s daily devotions on the Psalms.
Starting today. On Apple Podcasts.
COVID crisis at Oakhurst
Posted on September 6, 2021
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“Our brothers and sisters in Oakhurst need us. They need our prayers.
The pastor of the parish’s South Sudanese congregation, the Rev Samuel Majok, is aware of 15 families in the congregation and wider community whose lives and livelihoods have been turned upside down by contracting COVID. …
This has been especially distressing for the family of his assistant pastor, John Deng …”
– An urgent call for prayer – from Judy Adamson in Southern Cross magazine, September 2021. (Full PDF file here.)
Consultations begin on post-lockdown plans
Posted on September 6, 2021
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“The Archbishop, through his Regional Bishops, is convening a series of meetings for rectors and churchwardens to discuss plans for re-opening of churches amid uncertainty about timing and government regulation.
The COVID-19 outbreak is yet to reach its peak, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian forecasting that worst will come in the next fortnight. Beyond that, Premiers and the Federal government are working to vaccination targets before restrictions can be eased.
New South Wales is expected to reach 70 per cent double dose vaccination by October 18 and 80 per cent by November 1.
No detailed plan for re-opening of mass gatherings has yet been announced and appears to be some weeks away.
…
Archbishop Raffel called on churches to pray for the community, especially the LGAs hit hard by COVID, health and emergency workers, and for the Gospel witness of churches at this time.
He commended the prayer meetings being held in various churches and the diocese wide opportunity to pray at 7pm on Wednesday 22 September 2021. Churches, groups and individuals can join the ‘Lifting our Voices to God’ online event of prayer, song and word.
Registration is not necessary and further information can be found at praytogether.online. Archbishop Raffel will speak at the event.”
How might the reopening of churches play out in Australia?
Posted on September 6, 2021
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“What will happen in churches after the third wave of COVID as the freedoms return to Australia over the next two months?
When vaccination rates reach 70% venues, including places of worship are likely to be reopened, and even more when the rates reach 80%.
Governments are planning more freedoms for those who are double vaccinated. But will they impose restrictions on who can attend worship? …”
– A very topical issue of The Pastor’s Heart.
Mike Raiter on Revelation 21 and “the virus which keeps you out”
Posted on September 5, 2021
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Mike Raiter spoke evangelistically from Revelation 21 on the St. Jude’s Carlton livestream in Melbourne this morning.
While the video and audio is somewhat compressed, the message is well worth hearing and passing on to others.
(GAFCON photo.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…