Thankful and sad

Today was the last Sunday at Toongabbie Anglican Church for us. We are thankful for the church who welcomed us, loved us, and helped us grow in so many ways for the past 4 years. We certainly learnt what ministry looks like when people stand confidently on the Word of God, and we also experienced love that overflows in the hearts of such people. And so, we are deeply sad to say good-bye to them. As Sammy said recently, without our time at Toongabbie, we wouldn’t be training for the full time ministry now. We move on to continue our training, but by God’s grace, we will always serve the same Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the one and only Saviour of the world. It seems fitting to quote this bible verse in memory of our time at Toongabbie Anglican: “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1–2)”

Christmas at Toongabbie Anglican 2015

Not assuming the gospel

Could you have preached that sermon if Christ had not died on the cross? Could you have developed that Christian leadership principle had Christ not been crucified? I’m not saying be impractical—the Bible has much to say about being practical—but make sure that the practical is tied to the message of Jesus. Otherwise we are on the road to an assumption that will lose the gospel.
   – p. 41, Marks of the Messenger by Mack Stiles