Today, the greatness of mothers is celebrated around the world. 

Parents are one of God’s gifts to us. It is often not until someone grows older and becomes a parent themselves that one realises the profound impact of their mother upon them. How many times have you, as an adult, thought that you must apologise to your mother for ‘everything’. Sometimes such a reflection often occurs after having children of your own. Other times, it is evident far earlier.

For those of us who have grown up in a Christian household, the most important gift a mother can give is the passing on of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus has come from heaven to die on the Cross, and rise from the dead. He did it so that everyone can have the opportunity to be forgiven, and accordingly receive the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life. Can you think of anything more important that a mother could pass on? Part of the reason that God has structured humanity into families is so that his grace can be made known in this powerful way.

Among the festivities of the day, please a spare a thought for some of those who do struggle on this day. Some do not or cannot have children. Others have deeply strained family relationships to the point where some feel ignored, as if they don’t exist. For these some, today can be a very difficult day.

Have you thought about how you can use this day to help your mother or child? Every now and then I hear of one who invites their mother or daughter to church, to share their life and even more so to share Jesus. One mother accepted her daughter’s invitation to go to Bible study. It was the beginning of her journey to find Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

It is an inspiration to ponder how you can make the most of this day, for it has the potential to provide the greatest possible gift.

Raj

It will be interesting for us to hear how God has brought them to this point of serving him in this way. It is no small thing to leave one’s home country, leave friends and family, leave the security of reliable employment to go to a part of the world where there are so many unknowns.

I am always moved by the sacrifice that people like Stu & Isabella make to serve the Lord Jesus. In fact, decades ago, several talented young men and women made the choice not to pursue their university training. They decided, instead, to become missionaries and take the message of Jesus to Africa. Their friends and families tried to dissuade them pointing out the significantly lower life expectancies of the countries they were proposing to go to. But they went anyway.

Yes, they died relatively young because of the hygiene and general conditions. But decades on, we see the impact they had. It is now many African countries who are most fervent to see the name of Jesus glorified, and the number of Christians numbers in the millions. The sacrifice of those young men and women played a vital role.

And today, perhaps the same degree is not required, but the principle and willingness of sacrifice remains – well done Stu & Isabella. Our privilege is to partner with them in this work. Particularly given the sacrifice they are making, I very much encourage you to make the time in the coming week to come and hear more of their work. The more you know, the more you can pray in an informed way, and the better position you will be in to know how to support them. One or both of Stu & Isabella will be at our Monday Growth Group, COG, our Wednesday night PPP all church prayer meeting, and MOTH.

Please take the time today to say hello to Stu & Isabella. What a privilege we have.

Raj

It is an evening that we have organised for the benefit of all, whether previously or currently married, single or waiting to be married. There is a good chance that we will either be confronting some of these issues ourselves, or talking with others who are. Ironically, while unhelpful physical intimacy is something that has obsessed the world and media, healthy and helpful intimacy is not spoken much about. In this seminar, we are hoping to go some small way in correcting this.

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul talks about immorality. It was a problem in the first century world as well as within the church in Corinth. After telling those struggling in this area to flee, he then addresses the topic of marriage. Interestingly, one of the key antidotes to the immorality problem is to have healthy marital intimacy in the context of a godly marriage.

We live in a world that has similar, and perhaps even greater, problems in this area. Promiscuous behaviour is on the rise. Its acceptance is increasing. Messages we receive through movies, television and advertising are far from helpful, and they influence us more than we realise. At least 1 in 3 marriages end in divorce. Heterosexual marriage is being challenged. At almost every turn, our world is becoming increasingly sexualised, and of the unhealthy (dare I say wrong) variety.

Furthermore, while Christians often struggle to talk about such a deeply personal topic, many have struggles in the area. Recently at Sunday Night Church, we have looked at the 1 Corinthians texts in some detail (and also the passage directed to those who are single). It is so important that we are clear on a biblical framework when it comes to any issue, and this one is no exception.

In addition, we have organised this seminar with Dr Weerakoon. Being both a specialist in this area, and a committed Christian, she approaches this topic from an integrated Biblical perspective and in a highly practical way. Others have raved about similar seminars, partly because Dr Weerakoon has a special speak about this difficult topic in such an accessible and light hearted way.

The evening will commence at 7pm, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions (in an anonymous way if so desired). We warmly encourage all to come, and ask that those who do bring a plate for supper.

Raj

In a week we'll be getting on the plane to Mexico. As we go, we'd like to thank you all for your warm fellowship and encouraging support while we have been in Australia. It has been a real privilege for us to meet with so many of you during the last six months and we feel energised by your care and concern for us.

Can we remind you of two last things.

1. We are being commissioned at 3:30pm, Sunday 29th April at Bexley North Anglican Church. Please join us if you can.
We'd originally asked that you bring a plate to share for afternoon tea, but the good people at St George North Anglican Church are hosting the event, so plates are not necessary.

2. It has been a wonderful encouragement that so many new people have joined our prayer letter distribution list, and some of you indicated that you'd like to start giving regularly to support CMS so we can continue our work in Latin America. If you have been meaning to become a financial supporter, but haven't got around to it yet, can I encourage you to make the necessary arrangements with your bank or with CMS today.

Your fellow workers

Pete and Sarah Sholl

Earlier this year, we praised God as we completed the works from the funding that we received (under the same program) last year. Over the previous or so 12 months, these funds enabled the upgrading of the Upper Bathrooms, Lower Kitchen and Lower Hall. Their usage has been enhanced for all.

6 months ago we lodged another application a new round of funding – for $80,000 to upgrade the Upper Kitchen, extend the astroturf and develop a new Children’s Playground. In God’s kindness, we were granted all of this funding. It is appropriate for us to acknowledge and thank our local State Member, Nathan Rees, for his support of our application.

Sometimes one can come to take for granted this kind of funding, particularly when it has been granted for more than one year. I hope this is not the case among us. Historically, funding of this kind of magnitude has not been available. Furthermore, many many other churches and community groups were not successful in their application. Many others had their applied for amount reduced.

Very few organisations across NSW received the level of funding that we have. I was simply blown away to see some statistics which helped me understand the magnitude of God’s kindness to TAC in this provision.

Gavin Boyd, the head of our newly formed Property group, is already planning a general Working Bee on Saturday, 16 June to gut the existing upper kitchen and for other maintenance issues. We are hoping that everyone will be involved, if only for an hour or so. What a time this will be!

In the meantime, much thought and prayer will be necessary to determine the kind of kitchen facilities that would serve all, as well as further thinking about the location and extent of Children’s Playground. Please make yourself known if you would like to be involved in this process.

In all this, we must remember that God’s work is about people, and ultimately the saving of people through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything we do at TAC should be geared toward this end. News like this should mean that we become distracted or less fervent about the proclamation of the Gospel, and at the same time we should rejoice in God’s provision to provide further resources to this end.

Raj

1. We agree, your god is a 'delusion'.
   1. The god you create and then deny isn't the particular God who's there.
   2. Why should God be made of the same stuff as us?
   3. God is not an equation. He's a person.
   4. God is entitled to reveal Himself when and how He chooses. Some scientists may not like this.
   5. Belief in God neither 'subverts science' nor 'saps the intellect'.
   6. Where's the epistemic humility?
2. Jesus is the best evidence for God.
   1. Christianity isn't 'blind faith', it's based on evidence...
   2. ... perfectly acceptable evidence called History.
   3. There's a lot more evidence for Jesus than 'fairies at the bottom of the garden'.
   4. You may not like the God of the Bible, but that doesn't mean he's not there!
   5. Jesus continues to set people free to love, not hate.
3. If evil doesn't exist, how can religion be evil?
   1. First, you say the universe appears to have 'no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but pitiless indifference', but then you declare religion to be 'a significant force for evil in the world'. Please be consistent.
   2. It is ironic that you have strong moral convictions.
4. Atheism is not unbiased.
   1. There is no such thing as neutral territory.
   2. Ironically, atheism is a theological or metaphysical position, not a scientific one. Your 'scientific' atheism requires faith in unscientific assertions, e.g. knowledge is empirically derived.
   3. When consistent atheists rule the world, life is not pleasant. Consider the cost in lives and freedom of atheist ideology. Remember the Communist regimes of Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot.
   4. You don't seem to believe in free speech.
   5. Richard, why so angry?

DoubtingDawkins.com

Hot Cross buns help us understand the importance of Good Friday, and eggs help us understand the importance of Easter Day (the Sunday). It is on this day that we remember that Jesus rose from the dead, in accordance with the Scriptures.

While modern day skeptics seek to challenge the fact that Jesus rose from the dead, the evidence that Jesus did so is overwhelming. The best place to see the evidence compiled is 1 Corinthians 15. It is a part of the Bible that is written to convince people that Jesus rose from the dead, and also to help people understand the cosmic implications of the reality.

The resurrection of Jesus is integral to the gospel (good news). It is critical that one can have confidence that Jesus rose from the dead, for if it is not true then Christianity is futile. Accordingly, there is a long list of people to whom Jesus appeared – a list amounting to literally hundreds of people. God wanted to make sure that there was no doubt, and he did.

No one at the time seriously questioned the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. If they had, we would have had some documents that challenged the Christian writings that testified to Jesus’ resurrection. But we do not. This is not to say that everyone liked it – indeed, various groups felt threatened. But the point is that the evidence testifying to this reality was not questioned.

Easter Day is the day set aside each year for us to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The death defying event changed the world forever. Now we can live with hope for the future. 1 Corinthians 15 spells out the enormous implications of Jesus resurrection: since death came through one man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man (v21). Because Christ has been raised from the dead, we know that God has power over death and so too those who trust in Jesus will be raised from the dead. Indeed, if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith (v14).

However else you may enjoy Easter, may I encourage you to thank God for raising Jesus from the dead, and for promising also to raise those who trust in Jesus?

Raj

The night before the original Good Friday, Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane. He went there with his disciples to get some final time out before his very long night. The Bible records what happened in the Garden in a way that gives us an insight into Jesus emotions at this extraordinary time. Something big was about to happen, and Jesus knew it.

In the events that followed, Jesus was arrested under the cover of darkness, following the betrayal of one of Jesus inner circle. He betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Following Jesus’ arrest was a trial in which false witnesses were produced. The trial itself was hastily convened during the night. Jesus was mocked in a myriad of ways – he was beaten, called names, blind folded, and he was made fun of.

Jesus was taken before Pilate, who knew Jesus innocence. But even then, for the sake of political expediency, he was condemned to one of the most painful methods of death that humanity has ever known – crucifixion. It is from this form of punishment that we derive the term ‘excruciating’.

And while these events were taking place, Jesus’ closest disciple was outside denying that he ever knew Jesus. The culmination of these intense events was the crucifixion of Jesus.

The other child was able to answer the question of the first. Very simply, we call the day ‘Good’ because it is the death of Jesus that means that we can be forgiven.  Jesus died an excruciating death to pay for the sins of all the people who had ever lived, and all those who would ever live. He could have called legions of angels to intervene. He could have run away. He could have orchestrated any of a number of events to have avoided the situation. But he did not.

For, it is precisely in Jesus dying on the cross that he became not just the king of the Jews, but the king of the world. He can become your king because Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:18). This is why Good Friday is so good – because each one of us can be forgiven.

May I encourage you this Good Friday, and Easter, to remember all that Jesus has done? He went through these horrific events for your sake.

Raj

Dear friends,

As we approach our return to Monterrey, we'd like to invite you to our commissioning service at 3:30pm on Sunday 29th April 2012 at Holy Trinity, Bexley North (entrance from Carrisbrook Ave).

This will be a time to rejoice in things that God is continuing to do in Latin America, to pray as we share in partnership with you and to say goodbye.

Please bring a plate to share for afternoon tea after the service.

Our scheduled departure is 2nd May.

Attached is our Australian edition of Sholla.

In Christ,
Pete and Sarah,

Newsletter: 2 April 2012

“Sarah and Pete are missionaries with the Church Missionary Society - Australia (CMS). They live in Monterrey, Mexico where they are spending a year or so learning Spanish language and culture. After that, Pete will be the Director of MOCLAM, an organisation that provides the correspondence Theological Certificate program from Moore Theological College, Sydney.”

Also follow their blog: The Sholl Family in Mexico.

We must keep giving thanks to God for the incredible journey he has put our church on in recent times. There are many good factors that have combined to bring us to this point, but behind them all is our heavenly Father. We have seen God Bringing, Building and Sending people to know and serve the Lord Jesus.

Not must we be blind to our deficiencies. We are far from the perfect church, which makes it all the more exciting that God has chosen us to be involved in his work so profoundly. This said, at a macro level, God has brought us many blessings, and much growth. We praise God that each congregation has grown both spiritually and numerically over the last 5 years.

Our observation of the challenges ahead lies with the reality that our 9.45 Family congregation has ‘plateaued’ over the last 12 months – even when new people continue to join us. In recent weeks we have been outlining the struggling capacity – including the limitations of our Kids Church facilities, the over full crèche facilities, the inadequate space for our youth group Bible studies to meet, car parking constraints, and even the capacity of the auditorium when the children are in ‘church’.

We conclude, as many other churches have had to, that we must make a significant structural change if further growth is to be facilitated. It must be stressed that no particular solution is being advocated at this point in time. Rather, we are now in a stage of helping one another pray, discuss and understand the issues and dynamics that have led to this conclusion.

To this end, I will be conducting a ‘TAC Future Challenges’ seminar at 7.30pm this Thursday, 29^th March. It will be an opportunity to further outline and detail some of the issues and realities, answer any questions and facilitate the current education process. If you are interested in where we may end up, I would urge you to participate – I hope that you are, after all this is our church.

The next stage will be to develop a strategy task force to work through in some detail the different options, and they will then present this report to further facilitate the process of us working through these great challenges.

Please continue to pray for God’s wisdom as we move forward.

Raj