Megavoice Opens Up Mega Opportunities

Transcription

1 F ON REE offi RE FOR ce ES YOU life T T.co O: m. au 1 July 2015 Vol 78 No 1 Free On Request: office@nlife.com.au Megavoice Opens Up Mega Opportunities WHAT do these three have in common? A number of things, no doubt, but they re all being blessed by a Megavoice audio Bible. Now available in an increasing number of languages, Megavoice is taking God s Word to large numbers of people who ve never received it before. Full story p.7. Flight For One Saves Three WHILE out hunting in Balimo, PNG, a man accidentally speared his friend in the back! With no doctor in Balimo, Gawak needed an urgent medevac to Kiunga Hospital. But blood and other flu ids had collected in his chest cav ity. Once at high altitude, he would barely be able to breathe. Gawak needed his lung drained, but the only doctor available was away visiting outstations. MAF pilot Markus Bischoff re routed his flight to pick up Dr Sharon as well as her patient Dorothy, who was suffering from a tubal pregnancy about to burst. As it turned out, Dr Sharon had to perform emergency surgery on Dorothy the next day, just as the fal lopian tube burst. If Markus had not picked her up along the way, Dorothy would not have survived! As the airstrip in Balimo was closed, Gawak had to travel up river by boat to the nearest airstrip. Abilo, who had suffered a knife stab wound and also needed urgent treatment, travelled with him. Finally, Dr Sharon was able to drain Gawak's lung under the dilapidated roof of the open air terminal, and all three patients were transferred to Kiunga Hospital. The medevac for Gawak ended up transforming three lives at once! That s how just one medevac could save countless lives, just like Gawak's medevac flight ended up saving three people! Tax deductable donations to MAF for medivac may be made through Tell the people the full message of this new life Acts 5.20b

2 VOLUME 78 NUMBER 1 ISSUE DATE: 1 July 2015 ISSN: FOUNDER: Eric J. Daley ( ) EDITOR: Rev Bob Thomas Phone: editor@nlife.com.au BUSINESS MANAGER: Mignon Goswell Phone: office@nlife.com.au POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 457 Mitcham VIC 3132 WEB-SITE: SUBSCRIPTION: Free On Request ACCEPTANCE OF ADVERTISING DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT PUBLISHED BY: New Life Australia Ltd ABN: CONTRIBUTORS PLEASE NOTE: New Life is archived by the National Library of Australia. It is assumed that contributors agree with this arrangement and so are willing to be published on this basis. A Fitting Tribute To A Faithful Servant NOT exactly a festschrift and not exactly a collection of book reviews, You Must Read is a collection of tributes published by The Banner Of Truth Trust to commemorate the life and ministry of its founding editor, the Rev Iain Murray and his wife, Jean, his constant companion, encourager and supporter. As Iain s friend Irfon Hughes writes: Iain Murray has been an example and an inspiration to an enormous number of Christians, young and old, throughout the world, as founding editor of the Banner Of Truth Trust, through his numerous books, and by his godly life. If I might add my own tribute it would be that only in Eternity will we know the full extent of what Iain has done. His contribution to Christianity has been and continues to be incalculable. The focus of You Must Read is appropriately on the multi faceted literary side of his ministry, but there is much more than that to Ian s ministry. As a pastor/teacher, assisting at Westminster Chapel, ministering at Grove Chapel and St Giles, Hurstville, Iain exercised an all round ministry. Among a wide and ever growing circle of friends he has been a model, mentor, encourager and when necessary a brave and insightful critic. As the organiser, leader and oft time speaker at Banner Of Truth Minister s Conferences in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, Iain has brought together many of like precious faith to enjoy fellowship beyond their own small corner and across national and denominational lines and to be built up in (their) most holy faith. As a scholar he has shown no interest in academic awards but has written books worthy of the highest honours academia could afford. As one prepared to stand up and meet the attacks of unbelieving scholarship against Biblical Christianity Iain has inspired many another to Hold fast the faithful word as (we have) been taught, that (we) may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 1.9) As a man of prayer he approaches the Throne of Grace with reverence and humility in a way which settles the hearts and minds of all who have gathered, beginning with the hallmark words: O Lord, our gracious God... May that gracious God be pleased to grant strength to his arm for many more works of ministry to His glory and the building up of His saints. (A review of You Must Read will appear in our next issue.) They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12.3) For The Latest News Go To The New Life Website: NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Two

3 MATTERS FOR PRAYER SUDAN AND IRAN: 'Remember Those In Prison...' NOTHING cultivates empathy like a shared experience. In the absence of a shared experience, it helps at least to imagine ourselves in others' shoes. And so the writer of Hebrews encourages us to 'Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them...' (Hebrews 13.3a). Imagine being torn from your distressed family, interrogated by violent men, falsely accused, denied access to a lawyer and then locked up with violent, anti Christian criminals. Imagine your sense of helplessness as your family is menaced. Imagine your sense of despair when, after enduring years of prison, your sentence is extended. Now imagine how much you would appreciate knowing that the Church of Jesus Christ has gone into battle for you and is speaking out, providing aid and assistance to your family and interceding on your behalf before your Father in the High Court of Heaven... SUDAN: Rev Yat Michael (49) and Rev Peter Reith (36) are pastors from the South Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Rev Yat Michael was arrested on Sunday 14 December 2014 after he addressed a persecuted congregation in their partially demolished building in Khartoum Bhari (North). Rev Peter Reith was arrested on 11 January 2015 after enquiring about the well being of Yat Michael. Initially detained in the low security Omdurman Men's Prison, the men were transferred in early June to the high security Kober Prison in North Khartoum. Right up to the day of the hearing (15 June) their families and lawyer were denied access to them, presumably on the orders of the National Intelligence and Security Service. At the hearing on Monday 15 June the prosecution merely repeated the accusations, again without providing any evidence. The court also heard the defence's presentation, but did not issue a ruling. The attorney defending the two pastors told Morning Star News that, in his opinion, the trial is going well. Prison conditions are harsh. The two pastors are being kept in chains and in separate cells to maximise the psychological pressure. Both men are charged with serious national security offences that could attract the death penalty. Their families have requested our prayers. The next hearing was scheduled for Thursday 18 June. IRAN: Pastor Farshid Fathi (35) was arrested in December 2010 and sentenced to six years' imprisonment in February Intelligence agents then menaced and threatened his young family until they fled overseas. In April 2014, a raid was conducted on Fathi's ward; alcohol was found and blamed on Fathi. In August 2014 Fathi was transferred to the maximum security Rajai Shahr Prison, along with another Christian prisoner, Alireza Seyyadian (serving six years). On 29 December 2014 a Revolutionary Court sentenced Farshid Fathi to an additional year in jail. Denying any link to the alcohol found in the ward, Fathi appealed. On 24 May 2015 the court upheld the court ruling that Fathi receive 74 lashes plus one additional year in jail. Arrested in February 2012 for Christian activities, Homayoun Shokouhi was granted conditional release in November 2014, only to be re arrested in February His detention has been harsh and Middle East Concern is requesting prayer. Ebrahim Firouzi (30) was arrested in August 2013, sentenced to one year in prison but never released. In March 2015 Firouzi's sentence was extended by five years; he also is in Rajai Shahr Prison. PastorSaeed Abedini (36, a US citizen) was arrested in July 2012 and transferred to Rajai Shahr in November On Wednesday 10 June Pastor Saeed was violently assaulted by fellow inmates as he left his cell. Though his eyes were blackened, he did not suffer any broken bones. The inmates also smashed up his study desk. Rajai Shahr is a violent place and each assault leaves a legacy, physically and psychologically. Other prisoners also struggling with harsh sentences and health issues include: Maryam Naghash Zargaran (37) who was arrested in December 2013, suffered a heart attack in Evin Prison in September 2013 and in November 2014 was forcibly strip searched; and Pastor Behnam Irani (42) who was arrested in 2010, came close to death in 2013 and is not due for release until NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Three PLEASE PRAY: concerning Sudan's President Omar al Bashir (a recognised war criminal) and the ruling National Congress régime; and concerning Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (who has advanced terminal cancer) and the ruling revolutionary Islamic regime; may the God of all grace either bring them to repentance (see 2 Chronicles ) or remove them from power (see Psalm 10). that Khartoum's judiciary will rule rightly concerning the South Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church's property in Khartoum Bhari (North) and in the case of the Rev Yat Michael and Peter Reith, despite pressure from ruling powers, especially the National Intelligence and Security Services. 'He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.' (Proverbs ESV) 'Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!' (Psalm 43.1 ESV) for all Christians currently imprisoned in Iran for their Christian witness. May the Lord Himself be a shield about them and the lifter of their heads (Psalm 3.3); may the Holy Spirit burn warmly within them to comfort, sustain and encourage them. 'Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings.

4 TEACH THE YOUNG Jungle Doctor Resources Now ebooks On itunes A NEW series of ebooks, Jungle Doctor Picture Fables by Dr Paul White are now available on itunes. These short stories encourage Christian understanding in the reader. Listeners are led to relevant verses in the Bible using lovable African animal characters, written a few generations ago by Dr Paul White, known as The Jungle Doctor. Using this resource, adults can assist children with further exploration in the Bible, which can start healthy conversations about how these verses apply today. This opportunity, to remaster a classic Christian children's series, has been a blessing. For 30 years, churches and children's leaders have used these colourful and educational books, now revised and available as ebooks on itunes. KidsApps is a small business set up to develop applications and ebooks for modem technology like ipad, iphone & ipod. The idea came about when resources were needed for a Christian upper primary school camp called SplashOut 2009 run by Scripture Union volunteers looking for resources that would be interactive for kids and explain important elements of Christianity. If you are looking for proven children's material, The Jungle Doctor Picture Fables are available today on itunes. These are great for Sunday school, play groups, camps, school holiday programs, kids talks or any childrens ministries. Dr Paul White, the author of The Jungle Doctor Picture Fables was born in Bowral, NSW, Australia. He was affectionately known as the Jungle Doctor. Paul went to Africa to be a missionary doctor. The African people showed Paul how to use animals to tell stories. This in time was the foundation of what got him started on the journey of writing Jungle Doctor stories. These stories, or fables, help explain different elements of Christian life. The first of eight fable books appeared in More information about Dr Paul White and his work is available from: jungledoctorcomics.com NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Four

5 FAITH APPLIED How To Deal With Diversity In The World Today TABOR Adelaide is pleased to announce it will host Professor John Stackhouse, of Regent College and Crandall University, Canada, in Adelaide from 6 10 July for a series of seminars and lectures on Christianity In The Modern World. The fact of diversity in our culture today is glaringly obvious. How to deal with it realistically and generously that s not so obvious,and among the most important questions of our time, Stackhouse says. John Stackhouse is a prominent Canadian public intellectual who offers commentary on a variety of social and cultural issues through his widely disseminated newspaper columns and media interviews. This will be his second visit to Australia. He previously took part in the ABC TV program Q&A in August He is best known for his acute perceptions relating to a wide variety of topics, managing to provoke reaction and fresh insight whenever he speaks. His homepage lists his specialisations as Christianity, leadership, diversity and controversy. Key Events In Adelaide Include: 6 July: One day seminar exploring the key apologetic issues of our times, where to locate cutting edge resources to promote and defend the Christian faith, and how to apply them in local churches. Registration required July: Intensive, Radical Doubt, Radical Faith And Responsible Reasoning, a five day academic subject exploring the radical nature of Christian faith, demonstrating how Christianity benefits society and human well being in the face of the fading embers of a drab and lifeless Western culture. Registration required. 8 July: An evening public lecture at St Peter s Anglican Cathedral, at 7pm exploring the topic, But Why? The Grounds For Christian Fellowship... And Separation. John will address the question of the sources for Christian unity and the implications of disunity in the post Christian age. No registration required. For more details contact Dr Stuart Devenish at sdevenish@adelaide.tabor.edu.au Read: The Judgment Of God, And A Place Called Hell by David Holden, 96threeFM Today s Christian Music, Inspiring Talk Phone: Ramon A Williams Worldwide Photos WANT TO SEE MORE? New Life can only publish a small selection of photos, but you can see more of those attributed to Worldwide Photos by contacting Ramon Williams, rlgmedia@oz .com.au NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Five

6 CHURCH AND NATION Thomson Decision Ignores Right Of Kids To Know Both Mum And Dad ACL The latest politician to reverse his position on marriage, Labor s Kelvin Thomson, has failed to provide any meaningful rationale for redefining marriage. Australian Christian Lobby Managing Director Lyle Shelton said Mr Thomson s latest position on marriage fails to address concerns about the impact redefining marriage would have on children. There is a grave injustice in redefining marriage because it redefines family, Mr Shelton said. In fairness to Mr Thomson, I think he is like others who have been influenced by the simplistic and clever campaigning of the redefining marriage lobby. He just hasn t thought about the ethics of deliberately denying a child knowledge of and access to their biological mother or father. (Some) children miss out on a mother or father because of tragedy or desertion but they should not miss out because politicians have not thought deeply enough about the consequences of their decisions, Mr Shelton added. With a large number of Labor capitulations, it is more important than ever that the Coalition retain a party position on marriage. The rights of Australian children and the right of freedom of belief about the truth of marriage now rest with the Coalition, Mr Shelton said. New Marriage Poll Gives Different Answers Family Voice A GALAXY poll by the Australian Marriage Forum indicates that the federal Coalition should retain manwoman marriage as fundamental party policy, FamilyVoice research officer Ros Phillips says. The poll asked probing questions ignored by previous surveys. Two thirds of respondents understood that Australians are being asked to choose between the right of a child, where possible, to have a mum and a dad and the right of two men or two women to marry and create a family. Nearly half of these said the right of children to have both a mum and a dad should come first, while only 17% said same sex couple rights are more important, Ros Phillips said. Over a third felt very strongly that a child s rights should come first compared with just 12% who felt very strongly that same sex couple rights should take precedence. The Galaxy poll results send a clear message to Co alition MPs. It effectively found that if a Coalition MP supports same sex marriage, he or she would risk losing up to 30% of the Co alition vote at the next election. By contrast, only 10% of Coalition voters would be much more likely to vote for their MP on this basis a huge 20% difference. The issue is a vote changer. Coalition MPs are more likely to retain their seats if they support natural man woman marriage. It could decide whether the Co alition wins or loses the next election. NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Six

7 FROM THE FRONT LINE... MegaVoice Makes Mega Difference On The Mission Field THE MegaVoice Team around the world are willing to take great risks to get MegaVoice Bibles into the hands of those who to date have never heard of the Saviour. This moving story by Dr Viggo Sogaard from the front line of MegaVoice ministry shows how they continue to find ways around the blockages as he serves the Lord in the far northern areas of Thailand and Burma. One of the languages we have produced for MegaVoice is Karenni. There is a Karenni State in Burma, which is across the border from Mae Hongson. Due to fighting, many Karenni Christians fled to Thailand and are living in a camp near the city of Mae Hongson. My main contact is through Mrs Bwee Paw, who is one of my former AICC students. Bwee Paw has been in charge of much of the evangelistic work in the refugee camp, and she is also running a school in the camp for 55 children. Bwee Paw made the arrangements for the MegaVoice recordings, and we had hoped to do it at Voice of Peace studios in Chiang Mai, but, unfortunately, due to the present political situation, they could not get travel permits. We therefore travelled to Mae Hongson and did the recordings in a hotel room. Speakers were pastors and teachers from the refugee camp. Final production was done in Chiang Mai. We then went back to Mae Hongson and brought a box of the MegaVoice audio Bibles. We met with a group of children and young people, who were all very excited about the players and their content. For more about MegaVoice Bibles go to: FMI Equips Pastors For Ministry During Ramadan RAMADAN is officially underway, so for the next month, over a billion Muslims will abstain from food, drink, and physical pleasure for a month from dawn to sunset in submission to Allah. But while Muslims strive to draw closer to God, one Christian organization is using Ramadan as a chance to share the true God. Forgotten Missionaries International workers recently left for Indonesia, home to 12.7% Indonesian believers at worship. (Photo courtesy FMI) of the world s Muslims and the highest Muslim populated country in the world. FMI Executive International Director Bruce Allen, along with his wife and two other FMI members, will conduct a training seminar on two of the countries islands for indigenous pastors and church leaders. Each conference is a multi day conference, Allen said. We re gathering the pastors and their wives from various areas to attend one of these two conferences. We ll be discussing how their homes become a lighthouse for the Gospel, a beacon in this culture. And it s not just what happens in church: it s a lot of what happens outside of the church as well, especially with the majority population. There are some special things we need to be careful about when we are just going about our business in Indonesia: when to eat, how to eat. In some ways, Ramadan can bring hostility on Christians. Since Muslims are not allowed to even drink water during the day, they may become more irritable than usual. A simple conversation can turn into a shouting match. But in other ways, Ramadan is an opportunity to share Christ. Especially for devout Muslims, Ramadan is a time of spiritual sensitivity. When Christians engage in tactful conversation, many times Muslims listen. Reagan Hoezee, Mission Network News NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Seven

8 HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE Ramon Williams ARPA Scholarship 2015 THE Australasian Religious Press Association is pleased to announce the winner (s) of the inaugural Ramon Williams ARPA Scholarship. The 2015 Scholarship will be shared by two journalists: Marco Ceccarelli a journalist and photographer with The Record, Catholic Archdiocese of Perth Communication and Media Office) and Emilie Ng: a Journalist and Online Content Producer with The Catholic Leader (the inaugural Gutenberg Winner in 1983). Ramon Williams will present the Scholarship Certificates at the 2015 ARPA Awards Dinner on 29 August in Brisbane. Ramon Williams The ARPA executive congratulates all the applicants. The initial group of applicants demonstrated a very high standard and illustrated the excellent work being undertaken now as well as the long term potential for service in our member publications. Ramon Williams has been involved with ARPA since its establishment in Ramon was awarded the Association s premier trophy, the Gutenberg Award in In 2013, ARPA recognised his long standing public Christian ministry, and presented Ramon with the honour of an ARPA Citation for Outstanding Service to Christian Media. As the founder of Worldwide Photos Ltd, he has contributed in a variety of ways to the ministry of the Church in Australia, especially through the provision of photographic material, Christian stories and press releases to the Christian Media and the secular media. Ramon has been a source of great personal encouragement for many Christians in the media and many people have been touched by Ramon s thoughtfulness and contact. Ramon s life theme is Telling Others What Others Are Doing For The Lord and it is ARPA s hope that this scholarship will be a source of encouragement for a younger member in their developing ministry of Telling Others What Others Are Doing For Lord. John Wilson To Be Moderator General Of PCA THE Rev John Wilson, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, has been elected to succeed the Rt Rev David Cook as Moderator General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia when it meets in Sydney in September John Wilson was one of the first men to begin studying for the ministry of the PCA when it continued after the formation of the Uniting Church in 1977 and to be ordained in He has ministered in Numurkah and Reservoir and has lectured in Pastoral Theology at the Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne. As Clerk of Assembly he is also active in helping and advising when difficult situations arise and in giving pulpit supply to vacant parishes. John has also been instrumental in opening up relations between the PCA and sister Presbyterian Churches in Malawi and Zambia, making numerous trips to those countries to conduct training courses and missions The Global Edwards Jonathan Edwards Congress 2015 At Ridley RIDLEY College, Melbourne, invites you to attend the International Jonathan Edwards Congress at Ridley August, 2015, when historians, theologians and pastors from every continent will present NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Eight lectures and lead our discussions on the history of evangelicalism. The theme is The Global Edwards, highlighting the global impact of Edwards and the 18th Century revivals, including their impact on the European founding of Australia, and to explore the ways in which his texts and teachings are received in the contemporary world. Registration is available for both part time and full time attendance. The speakers, Ken Minkema, Adriaan Neele, Doug Sweeney, Gerald McDermott, David Bebbington, Kyle Strobel and Stuart Piggin, represent an international group of leading scholars in the field of evangelical history. This is a unique opportunity not to be missed. Contact Ridley College for registration details. New Moderator Of PCNSW THE Rev Kevin Murray, National Director of Australian Presbyterian World Mission, has succeeded the Rev Mark Powell as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in NSW. Toulmins Moving To DRC GRAHAM and Wendy Toulmin will be commissioned at a service on 6 August at 7.30pm in the Anglican Church, 28 Lawson Rd, Springwood, NSW, for service with CMS in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

9 CHURCH AND NATION Latest SA Prostitution Bill Throws Women To The Wolves Family Voice MICHELLE Lensink s Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill, introduced in the South Australian Legislative Council, would repeal all the protections for women in our current laws, FamilyVoice research officer Ros Phillips says. Ms Lensink s bill is the same as Steph Key s lapsed 2014 bill. Its schedule would repeal laws against pimping and procuring. There would be no limits on brothels or street prostitution. It would be open slather for exploiters. If passed, it would be a disaster. The new bill is the ninth attempt to legalise or decriminalise the SA sex trade. The first, sponsored by Robin Millhouse, was defeated in The next, by Carolyn Pickles, was withdrawn in Ian Gilfillan, Mark Brindal and Terry Cameron tried and failed in the 1990 s, while several bills were introduced simultaneously in 2000 the one which narrowly passed the Lower House failed in the Upper House in Steph Key s 2012 bill was defeated; her 2014 bill lapsed. I urge Michelle Lensink to learn from New Zealand, which passed similar legislation in 2003, Ros Phillips said. I visited Christchurch in 2012, and learned that three street prostitutes had been murdered since the law was passed, compared with none in living memory before. South Australia would do well to follow the example of Canada and France. Both countries have recently adopted the Nordic model of prostitution law, which penalises exploiters and helps sex workers quit their damaging trade. Coalition Urged Not To Walk Away From Marriage THE Australian Christian Lobby has urged the Coalition to hold to its principled policy position on marriage. The Coalition would need to abandon key family policy, leaving the party with no position on marriage, in order to grant a conscience vote on same sex marriage, said ACL Managing Director Lyle Shelton. It s not a politician s role to abolish the fundamental reality of husband and wife, mother and father. They may not mean much to the proponents of this bill, but to a child they mean everything. Same sex marriage redefines family and requires children to miss out on one of their parents. The redefinition of family has serious consequences for children, especially through the necessary flow on practice of surrogacy and other forms of assisted reproductive technology. Mr Shelton said that there was a huge number of Australians who would never accept the new definition of family and expressed concern that they would be legally prosecuted and silenced for their beliefs, as is happening in other countries. VISITING MELBOURNE? You re welcome at The Faith Factory: ST KILDA: Cnr Alma Rd/Barkly St. Every Sunday 11am & 7pm; Living Stones Korean Presbyterian Church. Every Sunday 12.30pm; BALACLAVA: Cnr Hotham St/Denman Rd. Every Sunday 9.30am. MINISTER: Rev Bob Thomas You re Welcome At The Faith Factory A Friendly, Caring, Bible-Believing Christian Fellowship Glorious Things A Protestant s Guide To London Revised! Updated! Illustrated! Now Available As An e-book! Glorious Things will help visitors to London arrive well prepared to make the most of their time there. The guided tours will take you to places like Westminster Abbey and St Paul s Cathedral, but Glorious Things will take you to important sites linked to our Protestant heritage. COST: $10 for the PDF version, with the right to print two hard copies. PAYMENT OPTIONS: 1. Cheque for $10 payable to New Life Australia. Mail to: PO Box 457, Mitcham Vic (Please include a letter with your name and address so that we can the PDF to you.) 2. Direct deposit $10 to Bank: Westpac; A/c name: New Life Australia Ltd BSB: ; A/c No: (Please also notify us by ). NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Nine Glorious things!" #$%&'(&)*&+(",-./'" 0%" 1%*/%*" Bob Thomas

10 A PASSION FOR PREACHING... Preach The Word! RECENTLY I was asked: What is your passion what is it that stirs and motivates you so much? For me the answer is quick and simple to see men and women of the Church embracing the Word of God, being taught and sharing truths that change lives and determine our destiny as we dare to embrace the promises and life of God. When I came into the Church as a Christian 45 years ago at the tail end of a local revival in the UK I settled in a local Pentecostal Church in Liverpool, NSW. The Pastor took the time and effort to preach the Word, teach the Word, share the Word, believe the Word the whole of his life revolved around the Word. He was not a great preacher but he was a good preacher, a solid teacher of God s Word. That church never really grew from around 50 to 60 people and I noticed a disturbing trend then that is still prevalent today: sadly, the church that preaches the Word tends to stay smaller. A Need We need to reach out and grow the Church. It is our great commission ever since the Church was birthed, our responsibility before God and to the world. But how we do it matters. A Problem The world has always seen the preaching of the Word as foolishness even Paul recognised that (1 Corinthians 1.18) but today even the Church seems to echo the world s cry as she seeks to offer a more attractive Gospel, to her shame. Many pastors seem to have abdicated their responsibility to preach the Word in favour of a program that simply reaches and attracts a crowd. It is easy to understand why. The music is popular, loud and has a great beat and rhythm. While there might be time and place for the current generation s music, it is often more at home in theatre or disco, and while it attracts the younger generations, the older families and seniors are lost. While it is not true of all of them, many of the preachers today, while excellent orators, are little more than motivational speakers. They make us feel good; no matter how hollow their message is in content. Yes, the crowd will grow, but what a terrible price to pay when we answer to God for a crowd of people who become little more than an audience, often unchanged, dissatisfied and who turn from the church and from God with disappointment. A Solution Preach the Word with passion and Holy Spirit power, for it is the empowered Word that alone can demonstrate the presence of God through the preaching of the Word. It should, and it does. Yet in many of our churches of all persuasions, so many seem to have lost sight of this, the most powerful and efficacious element of our Christian walk the very element that changed our lives. An Expectation It is the Word of God that brings salvation; we are born again by the Word ( For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring Word of God. 1Peter 1.23.) We claim the need to see lives changed, our society enhanced, and the blessing of the Kingdom of God released into our community. But our preachers echo the cry of society, of the politically correct and submit to the fear of offending other interest groups in our society; the Muslims or the GLBT movement or someone else with a different point of view to our own. Well we have the right to be heard in truth as much as any other. We do not choose to offend anyone but we will not allow others to dictate what we believe. We will preach the Word, be instant in season and out, be ready to give an answer but will do so lovingly, cheerfully, carefully with compassion but without compromise and salvation will come to our homes. The Holy Spirit will convict and convince of sin and the community will be changed a single soul at a time, and then a landslide of salvation may yet come to our suburbs and cities, our nation. The Word must be preached with passion, we must know and understand what we say as much as we mean what we say and believe that the Word of God is still quick and powerful and trust God to affirm His Word for us today as much as He did in the days of the disciples. When we embrace the Word of God from our pulpits it will change lives, be treasured in our hearts, become the mainstay and centre piece of family life and the principles of the Word can once again become the motivation behind every aspect of life. Rev Dr Denis Plant, Principal, Vision College NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Ten

11 PERSECUTION WATCH ISRAEL Arson Attack On Galilee Church A SUSPECTED arson attack on The Church Of The Multiplication Of The Loaves And Fishes on the shores of the Sea of Galilee has left two people injured and caused serious damage. An elderly monk and a German volunteer needed hospital treatment for smoke inhalation after the attack on the church in Tabgha village. There was minor damage to the main worship hall but other areas were badly affected. No one has been arrested in connection with the blaze but 16 Jewish 'youths' were taken in for questioning before being released. In April last year, young Jewish extremists desecrated crosses and an altar at the same church. Picture by shalomi.com Graffiti painted inside the church during the attack earlier this month read: 'The false gods will be eliminated.' The Galilee church was built in the 1980 s on the site of ancient places of worship that commemorated the spot where Jesus fed 5,000 people with the loaves and fish. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the fire as 'an attack on all of us', promising to bring the culprits to justice. Local bishops have called on Jews, Christians and Muslims to stand in solidarity against 'violence and extremism'. Morning Star News says that attacks by Jewish extremists on churches and Christian property are now 'common throughout Israel and the Palestinian Territories'. Please pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. Pray that people of all faiths in this troubled region will stand together against extremism and violence and promote religious tolerance. Morning Star News LIBYA Main Source Of Persecution: Islamic Extremism THE situation for Christians in Libya has deteriorated even in the last year, and we have seen the recent executions by Islamic State of Christians from neighbouring countries. Christian converts from a Muslim background face pressure and risk from their families, even facing beatings by family members. Most Libyan Christians are afraid to meet with other believers, as any kind of non Islamic gathering is forbidden. The main source of persecution and violence comes from Islamic extremists, such as the Salafists and IS, as there is no central government or rule of law. Pray that Muslim Background Believers will not be targets of their families or their communities and that some semblance of peace and a stable central government will come to the country, which is a failed state. opendoors.org.au INDIA Persecution Persists PERSECUTION remains a problem for India. According to a global human rights report released by the US government, violence based on religion was one of India's top challenges in There have been around 600 cases since Prime Minister Modi took office, and Christians were targeted in a third of them, reports Voice Of The Martyrs. MMN News SUDAN: Pray For Pastors In Prison PLEASE pray God's peace and protection over South Sudanese pastors Michael Yat and Peter Yen Reith. At their hearing in Khartoum last Thursday a prosecution witness gave testimony but produced no new evidence against them. The next hearing is scheduled for this Thursday, when the judge will allow the pastors to speak and be questioned. The pastors are on trial on serious criminal charges, including spying, and could face the death penalty if convicted (Prayer Alert, 12 May). It is believed they are being persecuted because of their links to a church in Khartoum. Middle East Concern BURUNDI TWR Working For Peace BURUNDI is embroiled in political turmoil, and TWR's national partner is co operating with other ministries to promote peace and understanding. TWR Burundi is one of eight ministries joining together to air television and radio programs urging parties on both sides to respect human rights and work toward reconciliation. The half hour episodes for both media are produced in TWR Burundi's radio studios. update@twr.org Five Muslim Majority States Among Top Nine Persecutors THE recent 2015 US Commission on International Religious Freedom report reveals that most of the countries recommended for re designation on Tier 1 also known as Countries Of Particular Concern are Muslim majority countries. Highlighting 27 countries for particular analysis, the report recommends a further eight countries be added to Tier 1 and ten more placed on Tier 2, where persecution is severe. Barnabas Fund NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Eleven

12 THROUGH GATES OF SPLENDOUR Elisabeth Elliot (née Howard; born 21 December 1926) died 15 June 2015) at the age of 88. She was a beautiful woman of whom the world was not worthy. Here is her brief testimony, told in her typically understated way: A year after I went to Ecuador, Jim Elliot, whom I had met at Wheaton, also entered tribal areas with the Quichua Indians. In 1953 we were married in Quito and continued our work together. Jim had always hoped to have the opportunity to enter the territory of an unreached tribe. The Aucas were in that category a fierce group whom no one had succeeded in meeting without being killed. After the discovery of their whereabouts, Jim and four other missionaries entered Auca territory. After a friendly contact with three of the tribe, they were speared to death. Our daughter Valerie was 10 months old when Jim was killed. I continued working with the Quichua Indians when, through a remarkable providence, I met two Auca women who lived with me for one year. They were the key to my going in to live with the tribe that had killed the five missionaries. I remained there for two years. After having worked for two years with the Aucas, I returned to the Quichua work and remained there until 1963 when Valerie and I returned to the US. Since then, my life has been one of writing and speaking. It also included, in 1969, a marriage to Addison Leitch, Professor of Theology at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Massachusetts. He died in After his death I had two lodgers in my home. One of them married my daughter. The other one, Lars Gren, married me. Since then we have worked together. Elizabeth Elliot was the author of several books, many dealing with themes of suffering, loneliness, singleness, manhood and womanhood, and family. Among her best known books are those that told the story of her first husband, Jim Elliot, and their mission together in Ecuador: Through Gates Of Splendor, Shadow Of The Almighty: The Life And Testament Of Jim Elliot, The Savage My Kinsman, and The Journals Of Jim Elliot. Visiting WA? Perth? Worship With The Presbyterian Church In WA Albany Mount Magnet (08) Bassendean (08) Bicton (08) Clarkson (08) Fremantle (08) Hillarys (08) Mandurah (08) Melville (08) Peppermint Grove (08) Southern River (08) West Leederville (08) We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2.16) Check Out Our Website For Latest News Daily We re Counting On YOU! YOUR Donations Keep Us Going! Through the generous donations of members of the New Life family, New Life is now available free on request by to everyone, everywhere, who wants to receive it. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION: By Cheque To: New Life, PO Box 457, Mitcham 3132 Vic. By Direct Deposit To: Account Name: New Life Australia Ltd. Bank: Westpac. BSB: Account Number: (Please office@nlife.com.au when you direct deposit). From Our Web Site: ( using the Make A Donation button. NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Twelve

13 ROMANS: TRANSFORMING NEWS IT is not wrong to be ambitious. Ambition is like faith it is neither wrong nor right. As in the case of faith, it all depends on what you are ambitious for. Ambition for money will make you greedy, ambition for pleasure will make you indulgent, ambition for recognition will make you self promoting. Paul uses the word ambition on three occasions: in 2 Corinthians 5.9,1, in 1Thessalonians 4.11 and here in Romans This verse is a good reminder that Paul was an incidental theologian and that he was first and foremost a missionary church planter. This does not mean that he was theologically sloppy the letter to the Romans is testimony to his theological acumen. However, it does mean that all his thinking was to serve the enterprise of taking the Gospel where there was no existing church, where Christ was not known. Like Calvin, who studied theology in order to be a better pastor, Paul makes sure that all truth and insight drives his mission endeavours. How Does Paul View His Ministry? First, all he is and does is based on God s grace (v15); he never forgot his days as a persecutor of the Church. Secondly, he is a minister of Jesus Christ (v16), a word used to describe serious government service. Thirdly, his ministry priority (v16) is to pass on to the Gentiles the Gospel from God in order that their lives might become an offering acceptable to God (see 2 Corinthians 11.8). Fourthly, his ministry is self effacing (v17) and it is a result of Christ s accomplishment (v18). Paul is not out to build up a following for himself. His ministry is based on grace, focused on the Gospel and undertaken in a self effacing manner. Here Are Self Evident Truths Which Help Us Recognise Cons: You can t be fit without exercise. You can t become wealthy by responding to s from Nigeria. You can t be slim without watching what you eat. You can t grow a true church without the Gospel of grace being prominent. Paul is God s instrument to serve the Gospel to the Gentiles. Where will this lead him? From Jerusalem in the East to Illyricum in the North West (v19). DAVID COOK Good Ambitions Make For Good Works Romans FOR REFLECTION: What are you ambitious for today and where are your ambitions leading you? How do your ambitions affect the Gospel and its ministry? Content taken from 'Romans: Transforming News' by David Cook, published by 10Publishing, used with permission. Seen On Facebook: FREE HYMN BOOKS Christian Praise 1 Music Book and 21 Word Books Contact: Mobile Used but in good condition. To Look Up Back Issues Of New Life Right Back To August 2007 Go To: And Click On: Previous Issues Bound Volumes Back To Vol 1, No 1 Are Held In The Library Of MST, 5 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna 3152 NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Thirteen

14 BOOKS WORTH READING READING THE BIBLE WITH MARTIN LUTHER: An Introductory Guide, Timothy J. Wengert, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, ISBN DR Timothy Wengert, Professor of Reformation History at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, believes that a study of Luther will refresh our approach to reading the Scriptures. He chooses a midcourse between the literalistic understanding characteristic of fundamentalism (his term, not mine!) and the liberal rejection of parts of biblical revelation. In two respects his course is typical of recent trends: the attempt to break the impasse between conservative and radical approaches to the Bible, and the use of classic Christian authors (Augustine, Luther, Calvin etc) as a resource to speak to contemporary concerns. We all know that Luther had a low view of the Letter Of James, or do we? Wengert shows that Luther s attitude was more complex than that, for he was always looking for what promotes Christ. Dr Wengert next uncovers what he sees as our propensity to legalism, especially using the law to judge others, when we ourselves are not without sin. He goes on to explain Luther s distinction between Law and Gospel: the Law reveals sin and the Gospel forgives it. Luther also believed in the Law as a civic guide and standard to restrain evil and to keep order. As a Lutheran theologian, Wengert exposes many of the ways that legalism can spoil our efforts to teach and apply the Scriptures. Next, he explains Luther s theology of the cross, which is not just his view of the atonement but of the Christian experience of God in weakness and suffering, so that the shadow of the cross falls upon the whole of the Christian life. That is why, for Luther, Romans is the centre of the Bible, but Wengert shows that Luther and Melanchthon also preached the four Gospels in a way that put the cross at the centre. This is an extremely helpful section of the book, for the Gospels are part of the regular diet of those who hear sermons, but often Jesus is turned into a moralist, where really He is God in the flesh who came to die for sinners. We are not to think, however, that Luther avoided ethics. Rather, he taught a grace filled ethic instead of adopting a rule based approach one that emphasises love, conscience, faith and community. Wengert explains what Luther means when he says that to properly interpret Scripture, our method must involve oratio (prayer), meditation (meditation) and tentation (trials and temptations). Quite so! Lastly, Wengert uses Luther s exposition of Galatians as a sample of how the great reformer interpreted Paul, and in the process he addresses criticisms of Luther by proponents of the New Perspective (which Wengert sees as approximating the approach of Erasmus), who see Paul in Galatians just arguing over Jewish ceremonies. Here, then, is a thoughtful exposition of Luther that challenges and prompts us to be Gospel centred in our study, teaching and application of the Bible. One does not have to agree with everything Wengert says to hear and heed this challenge. Greg Goswell THE TIE THAT BINDS, Rita Stella Galieh, Rita Stella Press, PO Box 101, Moorbank, NSW, Cost: $17.50 (including postage), Paperback, 285 pages. The Tie That Binds is a romantic story that really bound me to the pages. I just had to keep reading chapter after chapter to discover the nex t gripping adventure, heart break or life choice confronting the heroine. It is an historical Christian novel set in London during the reign of Queen Victoria, and extending to the penal colony of NSW. Rita has a descriptive gift for transporting the reader into an upper class Mayfair home in With perfect word pictures she paints the scenes as expertly as she sketches a story when her evangelist husband, George, preaches the Gospel. Over many years George and Rita Galieh have had a wonderful evangelistic ministry. They are both talented singers, and George uses his expertise with the violin to captivate audiences. They still conduct a weekly Australiawide Christian radio program. The Tie That Binds is the second of The Watermark Trilogy. Each book has its own compelling story line. The first novel, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, centres on Megan Trevallyn, who was tragically separated from her twin daughters. The Tie That Binds follows the life of one twin, Charlotte. Book Three, A Parcel Of Promises, will tell the story of the other twin, Charmian. I am eagerly awaiting the publication of Book Three, and I am hoping that the three women will be united before the conclusion. But will they? For further information on this multi talented Australian author go to: An excellent trailer of The Tie That Binds, with beautiful pictures to illustrate each chapter, can be viewed at this site. The facility for online purchasing is available. Highly recommended by Barbie Prout ( Mrs DP ) NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Fourteen A thoughtful exposition of Luther that challenges and prompts us to be Gospel centred in our study, teaching and application of the Bible.

15 YOU CAN ADVERTISE HERE. BOOKS WORTH READING THE LIVING CHURCH: Convictions Of A Lifelong Pastor, John Stott, Reprint, IVP, Nottingham, ISBN THERE are certain essential marks which will always characterise an authentic and living church. So writes John Stott in his preface to this book where he analyses these essential marks in his characteristic way of making seemingly opposite views sit in balance with each other. He calls for Radical Conservative Churches where the unchanging truths of Scripture are upheld and taught, yet where the Church lives out these truths in a thoughtfully responsive manner to the culture in which she is placed. Stott begins his analysis of the marks of a living church with the topic of worship. There are some sections of the church that believe the primary role of the church is evangelism, but Stott refutes this. Our appropriate response to God is that of worship which we will do here on Earth and will continue to do for the rest of eternity. Worship is corporate as well as private and worship should be a way of life for all Christians, not a specific gift of some. Evangelism, though, is his next topic and here Stott particularly emphasises the role of the local church in evangelism. He insists on the need to be a community that reflects the character of God. There are dual requirements of teaching the truth and living the truth. Some Christians have special gifts of evangelism and we should be encouraging these members of our church. But we can also in our congregational life be planning how to reach out in our local community and in our own sphere of life. Turning to the mark of fellowship, Stott highlights the value of being involved in a small group. Out of these groups can come opportunities to learn, share, minister to and with each other and reach out together. We are not meant to be lone Christians. Stott s five paradoxes of preaching are worth every preacher having in his sermon notebook or printed over his study desk and reflecting on every time a sermon is being prepared. There are further chapters that deal withten Principles Of Giving, the impact we as Christians can make on society in being salt and light as we are called to be in the Gospels, and his final chapter in the main part of the book is entitled Looking For Timothys In The Twenty First Century. The book concludes with three historical appendices. These are papers that Stott had written at various crucial junctures in his long years of ministry. The last of these is Reflections Of An Octogenarian. It is fitting that the last words in the book concern humility. He writes, One thing I have learned is that humility is not a synonym for hypocrisy; it is, rather, another word for honesty. Humility is not pretending to be other than we are, but acknowledging the truth of what we are it is at the cross of Christ that humility grows. Mignon Goswell GET MORE OUT OF NEW LIFE Learn more about a particular article, advertisement, contributor or advertiser! NEW LIFE comes to you as a.pdf file, with many stories and advertisements containing links to other websites and addresses. Web and addresses are printed in bold blue type. You only have to position your cursor over the link, eg: editor@nlife.com.au ; then click and you will be taken directly to that site. When you are finished there, click on the back button to return to NEW LIFE. Would You Like To Hear Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones? Go To: Click on: Downloads & Resources Scroll Down To: Other Resources Enjoy! (Courtesy Rev Iain Murray) TURN BACK THE BATTLE: Isaiah Speaks to Christians Today. With persecution escalating globally, Elizabeth Kendal calls us to revisit the prophecy of Isaiah, maintaining that Isaiah 1-39 provides an unambiguous treatise on how God's people are to respond to persecution, suffering and existential threat. For purchasing options, visit: NEW LIFE 1 July 2015 Page Fifteen