Newsletter

Testimony

Testimony

REV CHARLIE (OCTOBER 2020)

A testimony is a statement given in a court of law.  It is a form of evidence.  For Christians, it also means the recounting of God’s goodness and mercy and is often connected with, but not limited to, a person’s conversion.  Whenever we talk about what God has done in our lives, for example, our experience of conversion or even just something that the Lord has done for us in the past week, we are ‘giving a testimony’.  Testimonies are powerful.  They give evidence, not only of God’s existence, but also of his character.  

Sharing a testimony is a very powerful way to talk about our faith.  For non-Christians, it is often perceived as being less contentious than say, talking about the bible or Christian doctrine.  A testimony is a description of your subjective experience and it is very difficult to argue with that or indeed take offence.  Nevertheless, a testimony can be very challenging to the hearer, prompting them to think deeply about what has been said.

The New Testament is full of instances of people sharing their testimony.  Jesus sometimes commanded people to do so.  In Mark, chapter 5, after Jesus had healed a demon-possessed man, he said to him, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”  When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, she returned to the town saying, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”  Good news travels fast.  When we encounter Jesus, it is only natural that we should want to tell people.

The book of Acts contains three accounts of the Apostle Paul’s conversion.  The first is Luke’s description, but the other two accounts come from the lips of Paul himself.  Once when he addressed a hostile crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 21), and again when he was taken before King Agrippa II (Acts 26).

There is a definite precedent for Christians to share their testimonies and it is a highly effective way of proclaiming the good news of Jesus.  However, it does require some thought and practice.  If you came to faith later in life, your testimony might include the following three elements: 

  1. What life was like without Jesus

  2. How you came to faith

  3. How your life has changed

That said, everyone’s testimony will be unique, indeed there will be as many different variations as there are Christians.

I want to encourage you to think about what the Lord has done in your life and how you might summarise it in two or three minutes.  Perhaps write down a few dot points and practice sharing your testimony with a Christian friend or family member.  My hope is that you eventually feel confident to share your testimony with someone who does not yet know Jesus. 

On Sunday 18th October, I will be sharing my testimony as part of the service and I hope this will ‘kick-start’ a culture of talking about what the Lord had done and is doing in our lives.  The psalmist proclaims ‘My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long.’  Let us learn to do likewise.

Patience & Perseverance

Patience & Perseverance

REV CHARLIE (september 2020)

James 5: 7-11

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Life is good, but it is not always easy.  Some people have it harder than others, but nobody goes through life without experiencing trials, struggles and heartache.  Of course, our ultimate hope is in Christ’s return and in the subsequent renewal and restoration of all creation.  That is what we understand by the phrase, ‘the Lord’s coming’ and we continue to wait patiently for that day.  

Christians long for Jesus’ return, but that does not mean that we have a negative view of life in the here and now.  Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  The fullness of life that Jesus offers is not only a future prospect but also a present reality.  Fullness of life begins as soon as we give our lives to Jesus.

Again, with Jesus we can experience fullness of life, but not necessarily an easy life.  We are constantly challenged by circumstances that require patience and perseverance.  The COVID-19 pandemic is a case in point.  Queensland is one of the least affected areas in the world, yet the impact has still been felt: loss of jobs, uncertainty about the future, inability to connect with and concern for loved ones in other states or countries, serious disruption to our normal routine, etc.  

Our patience and perseverance are being tested, not so much waiting for Jesus to return, as waiting for this pandemic to end.  Many people have pushed the pause button on their lives, metaphorically speaking, as a way of coping mentally.  Activities that could be continued with some thought, imagination and perseverance, have been stopped altogether.  Whilst this approach is understandable, it is not advisable, especially if those activities include ones that feed us spiritually.    

So how can we experience fullness of life under the conditions of a global pandemic?  Firstly, by recognising that God is in control. This pandemic does not alter God’s plan for creation, nor undermine our salvation.  Jesus will still return and we will know the joy of living with him forever.  Secondly, by recognising that this pandemic will end.  It is disconcerting that we do not know when it will end, but it is time limited.  One day we will be looking back on it, rather than being in the midst of it.  This is true of all life’s trials.  Thirdly, by continuing with all the things that are life giving, within the parameters of government advice and common sense.  Let us continue praying and studying God’s word together, albeit via zoom; worshiping together on a Sunday, thus receiving strength and encouragement for the week ahead; and meeting together for mutual support and friendship.  COVID-19 need not hinder us from experiencing fullness of life.  We must persevere together and demonstrate the indomitable nature of Christ’s church.

In order to encourage and galvanise our church, we are holding an outdoor service on the 13th September (details in the newsletter below).  This will be the first time that we have been able to gather the whole church in months and it is hoped that everyone will make this service a priority.  If you have ‘hit pause’ on your life giving connection to Christ’s church, why not use this service as the catalyst to reconnect and join with us as we persevere together in the face of these challenging circumstances. 

Bear with one another

Bear with one another

Rev Charlie (August 2020)

We are living through some very strange and unsettling times and whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has been less prevalent here in Queensland, the impact has still been felt.  Parents have had to home-school their children, some have lost their jobs or had their work hours reduced, many have been prevented from seeing loved ones at home or abroad and holidays have been cancelled or put on hold.  Moreover, the news from other parts of the world has been disconcerting as we witness a highly unusual level of global flux.  The cumulative effect of all this is to put people on edge.  Many people are experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety, perhaps without even realising it.  

Relationships are tested in times of stress, be they at work, at home, or in the church.  You may have noticed that some of your relationships are more fraught than usual, or that you are finding it harder to be kind and patient. Maybe you have been on the receiving end of an explosive outburst from a friend, family member or work colleague.  All of this is symptomatic of a general increase in people’s stress levels.

The question is, how do we, the church, respond to this by-product of recent events?  Well, the first thing is to recognise that it is happening and make allowances for it.  Ephesians 4:2 says, ‘Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’  It is much easier to ‘bear with’ someone when we have insight into factors that may be causing them additional stress.  Moreover, because we understand that we might be less inclined to be humble, gentle, patient and loving, we make an extra effort to be so.

More than ever, the world needs the church to be a source of inspiration and hope.  Only by remaining unified can we be as a light, shining into the darkness of our world.  In many ways, society is becoming increasingly disconnected and divided; however, the church is called to buck that trend.  We are the Spirit-filled body of Christ and we must pull together more than ever, as we put our hope in the God who is over all and through all and in all.

Galatians 4: 1-5

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.