So God Created the Great Creatures of the Sea and Every Living And
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May 2011 So God created the great creatures of the sea Doesand theevery rain living have aand father? moving thing with which the water teams, Who fathers the dropsGreat ofaccording aredew? the works to their of the kind, LORD; Joband they38:28 every are pondered winged bybird all according who delight to in its them kind.” GenesisPsalm 111:2 1:21 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 CONTENTS Editorial Have you noticed how life has a full circle? From being born into this world as Editorial 2 weak and helpless babies, dependent on the nurture of others, we often end our lives the same way, frail and needing the care of others. It is quite a Not ashamed of the gospel 3 shock to realise that those who brought you up have now becoming those Considering Romans 1:14-17 depending on you. And then, very soon, the preceding generation has passed away and you are the next generation. It is the natural way of life Life under the Banner here below. But doesn’t it overwhelm you sometimes? Who of us are truly up The Quieted Soul (I) 5 to being the ‘elders’ in our families – whether physical or spiritual families? Dear friend, the baton is being passed on to us. Are you ready for it? Have The Past for Today you begun your run so that when you receive it you will be doing the very Presbyterian Beginnings 7 best you can? Is your hand in the right position to receive it? You don’t want to drop it! The World in the Banner 9 And yet the marvellous thing through all this is how much God gives us what News & Views we need to be able to properly lead. As we look to Him, through His Word, His Spirit guides us in His way. This is the blessing many of our covenantal Children in the Banner 12 families can testify to. In a way, Synod is a part of this process. We will see this particularly so at Youth & Search Work 13 this Synod with the addition of three newly inducted ministers amongst us. Not that all of them are so young – that reminds me I’ve got older! – but they Mission in the Banner 14 are telling us of the passing of the baton. Two reports from India May the Lord bless their service to Him in their local churches and through our denomination. But may He also raise up more men, and especially young men who come from our own church families. ISSN 0729-3542 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of then. They will not be put to shame Editor: when they content with their enemies Rev. Sjirk Bajema in the gate. 44 Prospect Hill Road, Narre Warren, VIC Psalm 127:3-5 AUSTRALIA 3805 Ph. (03) 9705 1505 Email: [email protected] Subscriptions for 2011 The Presbyterian Banner is the official magazine of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia. 11 Issues per year (Note new prices) The PCEA was established in 1846 and adheres to the Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) as its Within Australia: $35 [Bulk $30] doctrinal standard. Literary contributions are welcome. Submission by email is preferred. Overseas : AU $50 Airmail. The opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the authors - not necessarily of the editor or the PCEA and may not be reproduced without permission. Articles written by the Editor may be repro- Direct Credit : duced without asking for permission, although with appropriate acknowledgement. This magazine is available as a pdf file on the Church Website: www.pcea.org.au Bendigo (BSB) 633000 A/C No. 140124082 2 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 ‘I am Not Ashamed of the Gospel’ Considering Romans 1: 14-17 George Ball The apostle Paul reminds me here of my words… the Son of Man will be Whereas the Gospel has the power a little terrier straining at the leash: ashamed of him when he comes in to transform and change lives. It bursting with eagerness and interest, His Father’s glory.’ Paul alludes to it changed Paul; the Gospel gripped life and curiosity. Paul says in verse in 2 Tim: 1 v. 8, ‘Do not be ashamed him, humbled him, and radically 13 that he had planned to come to to testify about our Lord, or ashamed changed his life on the Damascus Rome — but had been hindered. And of me His prisoner. That, however, road. It changed the way he viewed in verse 15 he says, ‘I am eager was not Paul’s problem. I hope it’s not himself, from one who was (bursting) to preach the Gospel at a problem for you either. ‘blameless’ to the ‘chief of sinners’. Rome.’ He’s straining at the leash. What made Paul unashamed of the He saw it change the lives of others Paul also reminds me of David and Gospel? Why did it fill him with won- too. Have we not experienced it in Goliath! Rome was like the giant Goli- der, admiration and confidence? Is it our own lives? Has God not recon- ath. Rome was the capital of the because he had special courage and ciled us to himself through Christ, world. The seat of government; the resources that nobody else had? Not forgiven our sins, made us children, symbol of imperial pride and power. It at all! He was proud of the Gospel put his Spirit in us, changed us? was an imposing and impressive because:— As the world sees it, the Gospel place. It was also, as you can imag- doesn’t look much like power at all. ine, a place of idolatry and immorality. The Gospel is the Power of God It looks like weakness – spoken by A place of high culture but also of so- The Gospel is words – it’s a mes- ordinary and fallible people, and phisticated sinning. An intimidating sage. It’s an account of what God has believed by wimps. The Gospel place to visit for any preacher! Rome done for us in Christ – but it’s more uses words which are invisible was not the tourist attraction that it is than that. It’s power. (The Greek word things. This Gospel instead of telling for us today. The modern equivalent is ‘dunamis’: from which we get words people to stand up on their own two of Rome might be Mecca! Imagine like: dynamite, dynamic, dynamo, feet is asking them to become in- going to Mecca as a missionary! dynamic, etc). The gospel is not of- stead like children and depend on Paul was like little David. According fering some new concept or philoso- Jesus. Yet this Gospel is the power to tradition he was a little man, unim- phy; nor is it presenting merely a of God to all who believe. There is pressive in appearance. Yet this little good idea, or simply offering good no need to be ashamed of it. man could say, ‘I am eager to come; I advice. If that’s all the gospel is – we want so much to come; I can’t wait to would have every reason to be The Gospel is about Salvation come to you; I’m rarin’ to go!’ Like ashamed of it. Good advice won’t The Gospel is power with a pur- David, he could have said, ‘I come save us, even if it is well meaning and pose. There is such a thing as against you, not with sword or spear well intended. power without purpose. I have a or javelin – for the Lord doesn’t save The Gospel is the operation of a friend who has a museum of more with these, but I come in the name of power — the power of God. ‘To than 300 old engines of various the LORD Almighty.’… The only preach it therefore is to let loose an types which he has rebuilt. Visitors weapon that Paul had in his backpack immeasurable power among those can visit the museum to see and was the Gospel – yet he wasn’t afraid! who hear it.’ hear the engines running. It’s a very Indeed, he relished the challenge. We have a fascination with power. As impressive sight and sound. It’s mu- He says, ‘I am not ashamed of the a little boy it was the attraction of trac- sic in the ears of the collector. But Gospel.’ (v.16). This is likely a nega- tors, excavators, aeroplanes, boxers what do these engines do? Nothing! tive way of stating the positive – an and wrestlers! As a man it is the fas- They don’t empower anything. example of litotes. (So James Philip cination of governments and rulers There is also power which is pur- and Moffatt). It’s a deliberate under- and business executives. Remember poseful – I’m glad of it every time I statement for effect. E.g. you ask me Rome too had a fascination with switch the kettle on or press the how I am. I answer, ‘Not bad,’ which power – it had reason to be proud of light switch. And there is power really means, ‘I’m good!’ Or, if some- its power structures; it had the military which is positively destructive. We one says, ‘Not happy, Jan!’ it really hardware to subdue nations. Their have seen examples of that recently means they’re very angry and upset! naval power ruled the waves.