RevWrites - Feb 8

We’re back! Thanks to those who prayed that our break would be refreshing. The Lord answered your prayers in his normally gracious way.

I went to a funeral while I was away. The man who was the minister at the church I grew up in had died. He had a huge impact on me. Fortunately, his memorial service was at the local Anglican Church at Laurieton, next to where we were holidaying.

His four children and the bulk of his fourteen or so grandchildren testified to his continued amazement at the grace of God. He was always amazed that God should love and forgive a sinner such as he. He wanted others to know the grace of God.

I was reminded that NAC is not the whole Christian world. Here I was in the local Anglican Church with people from many other churches celebrating God's grace.

This Sunday is the Big Day In. We are reminded that we are only a small part of even the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. There are over 250 parishes in our Diocese. And then there are the other millions of Christians around the world.

Jesus reminded us that, because of the grace of God, his church would prevail. Of everything that exists, the church of God will go forward into eternity.

Speaking of eternity, this week one of my neighbours came and welcomed me home. He told me his parents were ill and frail and his dad was in dementia care and his mum had to go to hospital. My neighbour lacks the certainty and assurance that comes from knowing the grace of God. I will continue to talk with my neighbour about eternal life.

I was reminded just how easy it is to talk about eternal life when I heard about an infants girl at the Green Tent. She didn’t go to church but came to Green Tent. She visited some of the elderly folk at Woodberry Village. When here leader asked her to tell the elderly lady what she had learnt at the Green Tent, she explained they had learnt about an incident where Jesus had given life. She went on to explain that Jesus can give new, eternal life to those who are his friends.

It was a simple, clear gospel message given by an infants child. Elderly ladies in Woodberry need to hear about eternal life. My neighbours need to hear the same simple, clear gospel message about eternal life.

Jesus told us who our neighbours are in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Those people that God puts in our path who have needs we are able to meet. Unsaved people need Jesus. We have the gospel.

Imagine if all the Christians around the world really loved their neighbours. How many gospel conversations – simple, clear gospel conversations there would be happening around the world at any given minute!

Pray that all Christians will love their neighbours.

Neil Macken