Nine hundred Gospel workers from across Australia and across several denominations and ethnicbackgrounds gathered at Sydney Showground 25‐28 June for Oxygen, the biennial time of refreshing organ‐

ised by Katoomba Christian Convention. Australians Mike Raiter, Sam Chan and Kirk Patston headed a list of out‐standing and inspiritual speakers in a packed program on the theme Run Refreshed: God’s Wisdom And Power;Standing Under Pressure; Engaging With A Secular World.The focus of the event was firmly on the word, work and will of God, a focus too easily lost under the burdenof ministry. This writer confesses to being a conference/convention junkie, seeking over the best part of 50 yearsto compensate for a deficient, largely ‘liberal’, theological education. But we all need such gatherings to revive, re‐store and renew us. Oxygen does this superbly. Mike Raiter observed that immigration was becoming the salvationof the Australian church, and this was evident simply in the appearance of many delegates, workers and speakers.All One In Christ, the convention movement’s theme, was evident throughout.

Kirk Patston deftly wove together a three-strand cord of teaching on dreams, difficulties andlaughter as he spoke on Joseph, Esther and Daniel –all models for the Lord’s people of standing firm inthe midst of difficulties but arriving joyfully at theirjourney’s end. ‘Their experience turned on dreams’,he said, weaving their experiences into the wordsof Psalm 126.Some speakers are given to prancing around

the platform as they make their points. Standing still at the lectern, Kirk led usin a merry dance through the Scriptures, carefully applying the text at everystep as he enumerated a multitude of difficulties that Gospel workers face, andurging us to leave Oxygen as dreamers who smile after coming through greatdifficulties. (Continued on Page Three.)

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TELLING THE GREAT WORKS OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD TODAY

PSALM 126When the Lord restored the fortunesof Zion, we were like those who dreamed.Our mouths were filled with laughter,our tongues with songs of joy.Then it was said among the nations,‘The Lord has done great things for them.’The Lord has done great things for us,and we are filled with joy.Restore our fortunes, Lord,like streams in the Negev.Those who sow with tears will reapwith songs of joy.Those who go out weeping, carrying seedto sow, will return with songs of joy,carrying sheaves with them.

NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page TwoNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Two

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Clearing The Rubble, Restoring The FortunesIn the book of Nehemiah, we learn that the walls of Jerusalem were bro‐ken and the gates burnt. Being a true ambassador of God, the news of de‐struction brought great empathy to the heart of Nehemiah. Mukti Missionhas just finished our Revival Anniversary Meetings and they were a bless‐ing to us. As I meditate on the season of Revival, clearing of the rubbleand restoring of the fortunes come to my mind. The book of Nehemiah isappropriate for a study on this subject. I was fascinated by the prayer pat‐terns that Nehemiah used to seek the Lord and enquire of Him with re‐gard to the devastation and restoring the fortunes:1. Praying with compassion (Nehemiah 1.4). The earnest prayer of Ne‐hemiah, filled with deep compassion, was the kind of prayer that movedGod’s heart.2. Praying with repentance (Nehemiah 1.7). On behalf of his people,Nehemiah confessed his sins together with the sins of his people. Theircorruptness and disobedience against God came before his eyes and hebegged for mercy.3. Praying with remembrance (Nehemiah 1.8,9). Nehemiah remem‐bered God’s faithfulness in Moses’ time. God warned the Israelites butmade room for repentance if God’s people returned to Him.4. Praying with focus (Nehemiah 1.11). Nehemiah knew that his job torebuild would not be easy. His focused prayer melted the heart of God.His prayer was a prayer of perseverance.5. Praying with action (Nehemiah 2.12). Nehemiah was a man of action.He prayed but also acted upon what he wanted to do. He arose in the nightwith a few trusted men, keeping his goals in confidence.As God used Nehemiah and his co-workers to rebuild the brokenwalls, God is using you and me to clear the rubble that the enemy has ac‐cumulated for years. Will you pray that the Lord will use us in Mukti Mis‐sion and that we will live lives that are fruitful for the new generation toknow who our God is! Isaiah 62.6,7 says: ‘You who call on the Lord, giveyourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem andmakes her the praise of the Earth.’ – Lorraine Francis, Mission Director,

Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission (India)(Mukti Prayer Pulse and Newsletters may be obtained from their website:

www.mukti.org.au – Ed)

TELLING THE GREAT WORKS OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD TODAY

ON A PERSONAL NOTE ...ON A PERSONAL NOTE ...On 30 June I retired from parish ministry. I am now lookingforward to being able to devote more of my time to editingand promoting New Life. If possible I would also like to seethe publication of other materials aimed at assisting Chris-tians to gain a clearer knowledge and understanding ofevangelical Christian faith, work and practice. I would alsowelcome preaching opportunities.

– Bob Thomas

NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page ThreeNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Three

OXYGEN 18: ‘ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS’OXYGEN 18: ‘ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS’

Oxygen18 – Refreshment For Gospel Workers (Continued from Page One)Mike Raiter, Director of the Centre For Biblical Preaching, gave theopening and closing addresses: God’s Wisdom And Power: The MessageOf The Cross In A Secular World and Genuine Christian Leadership In ASecular World.Beginning with a perceptive analysis of the modern-day world andthe Australian psyche in particular (so arrogant and proud of itself thatit can even afford to brag about its losers, confident, anti‐authoritarianand fiercely independent), Mike said, ‘It’s to a nation like this that we’recalled to preach the Gospel of weakness, folly, defeat and death – andtell them that they cannot save themselves.’Comparing our situation to that of ancient Corinth, as in 1 Corinthians 1.18‐25, he said that the mostsurprising word there for him is ‘saints’ – ‘those called to be saints’ – this group of believers who havebeen sanctified – set apart by God and for God. So for all their many and serious flaws, Paul still addressesthem as ‘the saints’ even though the church in Corinth was dysfunctional because it had absorbed thesurrounding (pagan) culture.Paul set out to counter this situation by telling them that there are only two kinds of people inthe world. There are those who are perishing – cut off from God and blissfully unaware that they arewalking down the road that leads to destruction. And there are those who are being saved, walking alongthe narrow road that leads to eternal life. For the first group the word of the cross is foolish, but for uswho have believed and been transformed by this message it is the power of God, and God will always‘destroy the wisdom of the wise’.Encouraging us to focus on preaching the cross (‘This the pow’r of the cross: Christ became sin forus; took the blame, bore the wrath – we stand forgiv’n at the cross’) Mike said that preaching the crossin a secular world is tough, and white Anglo‐Saxon Aussies are one of the toughest mission fields in theworld. So, without being oratorical, we must preach well. ‘Don’t Throw the Homiletical Baby out withthe Bathwater,’ he urged. ‘I teach preaching – and I only have two rules: Be faithful to God’s Word – anddon’t be boring. If you’re boring, they’re not listening – and if they’re not listening there’s no communi‐cation. God has wired into our world principles for effective communication – and we’re foolish to ignorethem. Work hard on your sermons. Use a full text, because every word counts. Use illustrations, as Jesusdid, because they teach, and they can be emotionally powerful. And practise again and again and again.Finally, don’t compare. The Corinthians were holding popularity contests for their preachers. It’s easyfor any of us in ministry – and this isn’t just true of preachers – to be competitors. You might know thefamous quote of Gore Vidal: ‘Whenever a friend succeeds, a little something in me dies’. Regarding others,Paul’s attitude was: ‘As long as Christ is preached.’

Share Your News With UsShare Your News With UsTo Enquire Or Submit News Items Etc

Call Bob Thomas On 0417 592 646Or Email editor@nlife.com.au

KOREA: Not Such Good NewsThe ongoing peace initiatives on the Korean peninsula have put an end to South Korean ministries send‐ing Gospel leaflets via balloons into North Korea. The South Korean government has now banned theactivity. Eric Foley, with Voice Of The Martyrs Korea, says South Korea does not want to upset its northernneighbour and endanger the peace talks. A number of Christian ministries and organizations have par‐ticipated in balloon launches to North Korea for more than 12 years, using GPS technology to track thesuccess of their efforts. The government has also banned private citizens from launching balloons intoNorth Korea, which beside Bible messages also typically contain USB sticks and information about theoutside world. – Christian Today

‘BY ALL MEANS EVERYWHERE’‘BY ALL MEANS EVERYWHERE’

NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page FourNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Four

Overcoming With The WordGuidelines International Ministries has planted a community radio sta‐tion in Tacloban City, the site of the worst storm in history to hit thePhilippines. Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 claimed more than 6,000lives and left almost four million homeless. During the crisis the Far EastBroadcasting Company constructed a low‐power FM station under a tentto provide emergency information. ASSIST News reports that now inpartnership with FEBC, Guidelines has launched 97.5 DYFE‐FM.The sta‐tion offers a variety of programming including Bible teaching by localpastors, business and agriculture programs and features for women and seniors. Guidelines’ mission isto transform entire communities by renewing individuals with the message of Jesus Christ. The ministrylooks to establish Community Radio Stations in places that have few or no radio stations and no Christianvoice at all. They also distribute solar‐powered radios to families wanting to tune in.

– ASSIST News ServiceSharing The Faith On Social MediaAlmost thirty percent of Christians are sharing their faith with non‐believing friends on social media,according to a report by the Barna Group. The research found that many Christians believe technologyand digital interactions have made evangelism easier. A spokesman for the Barna Group told The ChristianPost that technology and rapid cultural shifts may have altered the face of evangelism, but the Great Com‐mission remains. He says their new report tracks what has changed so that leaders can coach Christiansto be effective in sharing the unchanging Good News. Tony Whittaker, Internet Evangelism Day co‐ordi‐nator, says social media offers new opportunities for any Christian to engage in evangelism. In recentyears, many church and parachurch organizations have looked more to using the internet for evangelism,especially as social media becomes an increasing presence in people's lives. Data for the Barna reportwas drawn from a sample of 1,714 adults. – The Christian PostLearn The Bible In A Year Catches OnSince its inception in January, Bible For The World’s Learn The Bible In A Year program is being aired onalmost 600 radio stations around the world. The two‐minute daily programs are based on the book,Learn The Bible In A Year: From Genesis To Revelation In 365 Daily Readings. Bibles For The World Presi‐dent John Pudaite told Christian Newswire the daily broadcast of Learn The Bible In A Year aims to helplisteners understand how the story of God’s love is woven through Scripture. He says lots of Bible readingplans help Christians to read through the Bible in a year. But this one focuses on understanding what isread or heard. The ministry hopes that enabling Christians to better understand Scripture will heightentheir interest in helping provide it where it is not readily available. – Christian NewswireSharing Is Good For Heart and SoulSharing Bible stories from memory is becoming an effective evangelistic ministry to non‐literate and lit‐erate people alike. Missionaries have realized that teaching in a way that suits oral learners is also ap‐plicable to literate learners. He calls this story‐telling ministry The Heart Bible. Mr Fornelli told MissionNetwork News that a big difference between Christ’s disciples and us today is that while we have theBible in our hands, they had it in their hearts. The Heart Bible is the idea of learning the stories in theBible and committing them to memory. Mr Fornelli says the heart Bible is proving very effective for bothliterates and non‐literates. By creating a heart Bible, people can see the glory and power of God throughthe story. – Mission Network News

TURN BACK THE BATTLE: TURN BACK THE BATTLE: Isaiah Speaks To ChristiansIsaiah Speaks To ChristiansToday.Today.With persecution escalating globally, Elizabeth Kendal calls us to revisit the prophecy of

Isaiah,For purchasing options, visit:www.turnbackthebattle.com

NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page FiveNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Five

FROM ALL QUARTERSFROM ALL QUARTERS

A Right Royal Visit To The Middle EastBritain's Prince William last week touredJerusalem's sacred sites, wrapping up a polit‐ically delicate visit that both Palestinians andIsraelis were able to embrace. Assuring Pales‐tinians they were not forgotten and endingwhat Israelis had seen as an undeclaredBritish boycott of official visits to their coun‐try by the royal family, William followed anitinerary carefully scripted for balance.Charisma News reports that the four‐day tourwas an opportunity to show goodwill in areasBritain ruled from 1917 to 1948, the year ofIsrael's creation. Prince William visited sev‐eral sites in Jerusalem including the Church ofthe Holy Sepulchre, where many Christiansbelieve Jesus was crucified and buried. Hewrote in the Western Wall's official guestbook: ‘May the God of peace bless this regionand all the world with peace.’ Until now it hadbeen British policy not to make an officialroyal visit until the Israeli‐Palestinian conflictwas resolved. – Charisma News

Paul Getty To Receive OBEA record number of politicians, churchleaders, and charity leaders have at‐tended a UK National Prayer Breakfastat the Palace of Westminster. Thebreakfast was themed around the ques‐tion, What Can Christianity Offer Our Society In The 21st Cen-tury? Rev Dr Tim Keller, Founding Pastor of RedeemerPresbyterian Church, New York, was the guest speaker. Wor‐ship was led by hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty infront of the 140‐strong audience which included BritishPrime Minister Theresa May. Mr Getty says it was fantasticto see all in attendance committing to praying for the coun‐try and its leaders. Mr Getty is to receive an OBE award fromHer Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to hymnwriting. – Inspire Magazine

Wycliffe Asks: Please Pray For Support StaffPlease pray for our Finance Office staff. They are dedicated, humble andservice‐oriented people. Please pray for Rohan, Rachael. Remy, John,Peter, Kevin and Rosemary, as well as the volunteers. (We can expand thisrequest to include all ‘unseen’ workers in all the mission societies – theykeep the wheels turning and the missionaries on the front lines. – Ed)

NORTH KOREA Summit A Qualified SuccessTo all intents and purposes, the historic US‐NK Summit was a success. The only people to be disappointedwere those with pre‐existing biases or unrealistic expectations. Since the summit, North Korea has agreedto return the remains of more than 250 American servicemen who died behind enemy lines during theKorean War (1950‐53). Furthermore, North and South Korea have commenced talks on: closer co‐oper‐ation in the area of sport, resuming family reunions, re‐opening the Kaesong Industrial Park, restoringa cross‐border military hotline, relocating North Korea's long‐range artillery systems away from the bor‐der and connecting the railways across the border. Meanwhile, Russian officials have visited Pyongyangand South Korea's President Moon Jae‐in has met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The ultimate goal,which would be transformative, is to integrate North Korea into the wider north‐east Asia framework.Pray that the issue of political prisoners (including many thousands of Christians) will soon be on theagenda and for wisdom about how the release of political prisoners will be handled, for stability is inte‐gral to the process of openness. There can be no doubt that Kim Jong‐un has made a significant 'strategicpolicy shift'. Please continue to pray.

ERITREA: Release Of Imprisoned PastorThank God for the unexpected and inexplicable release of Pastor Oqbamichel ('Oqba') Haiminot of theKale Hiwot (Word of Life) Church in Asmara, Eritrea. This father of three had spent time in prison in2003 and again in 2005 during which time he was severely mistreated for refusing to recant his faith.The mistreatment, which included 10 months in solitary confinement and hard labour in a military camp,was so severe that he suffered a breakdown and had to be released. Pastor Haiminot was arrested againin October 2007 and imprisoned without charge. After eleven years in an Eritrean prison, PastorHaiminot is in need of medical care. Please pray for the Haiminot family, that the Lord will sustain andprotect them and provide their every need.

IRAN: Persecuted Christian FamilyOn 18 June Ramiel Bet Tamraz (an ethnic Assyrian Iranian Christian) and another believer (a convert)faced Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on charges pertaining to national security. Ramiel'sfather, Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz, is currently appealing a ten‐year prison sentence while his mother,Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh, is appealing a five‐year prison sentence, both on similar charges. That a pow‐erful state would persecute a peaceful, faithful family in this way is truly shocking. Ramiel is awaitingthe judge's verdict, due any day now.

TURKEY: A Pivotal General ElectionTHE PARLIAMENT: Erdogan's Justice and Development Party failed to secure a majority in the parliament(polling only 42.5%). However, the ultra‐nationalist, extreme‐right Nationalist Action Party secured11.1%, meaning the AKP‐MHP coalition will control over half the seats, and the AKP will be dependenton the MHP to get legislation through parliament, giving the MHP enormous undue influence. THE PRESIDENCY: Erdogan has claimed victory in the presidential poll, reportedly securing 52.5% ofthe vote. He will govern under a new constitution which grants the president sweeping executive powers.Israeli commentator Zvi Bar'el writes: 'With Erdogan's re‐election, Turkey faces a future as a purely au‐tocratic state, persecuting political rivals and settling scores ... [Erdogan] will now begin to build the newTurkish Republic in his own image.' Indeed; this is a terrifying scenario. How Erdogan will weather theeconomic storm now visible on the horizon is anyone's guess. Please pray for Turkey, her Church, andher ethnic minorities.

'We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,

against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places ...’

NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page SixNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Six

MATTERS FOR PRAYERMATTERS FOR PRAYER –– Elizabeth KendalElizabeth Kendal

Updates On Recent Events Affecting Persecuted Christians

Elizabeth Kendal is the author of Turn Back The Battle: Isaiah Speaks To Christians Today (DerorBooks, Melbourne, Australia, Dec 2012) which offers a Biblical response to persecution and ex-istential threat; and After Saturday Comes Sunday: Understanding The Christian Crisis In TheMiddle East (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, OR, USA, June 2016). See www.ElizabethKendal.com

GOOD NEWS FROM ABROADGOOD NEWS FROM ABROAD

NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page SevenNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Seven

VISITING MELBOURNE?You’re welcome at The Faith Factory:

ST KILDA: Cnr Alma Rd/Barkly St. Every Sunday 11am & 5pm;Living Stones Korean Presbyterian Church. Every Sunday 1pm;

BALACLAVA: Cnr Hotham St/Denman Rd. Every Sunday 9.30am.Rev Paul Lee (03) 9537 1642.

You’re Welcome At The Faith Factory– A Friendly, Caring, Bible-Believing Christian Fellowship –

And Inspiring Talkwww.96three.com.auPhone: 03 5241 6550Email: listen@96three.com.au

READ:READ:The Judgment Of God And A Place Cal led Hel lThe Judgment Of God And A Place Cal led Hel l

www.defenceofthefaith .orgwww.defenceofthefaith .org

To Look Up Back Issues Of New Life Right Back To August 2007Go To: www.nlife.com.au And Click On: Previous Issues

Bound Volumes Back To Vol 1, No 1 Are Held In The Library Of MST,5 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna 3152

We’re Encouraged!We’re Encouraged!One Of Australia’s Major Mission Agencies

has advised usthey send each edition of New Life

around to everyone in the officeand the members of their

National Council.

Who Can YOU Forward Who Can YOU Forward New LifeNew Life To?To?

Church Of England Reaching OutThe Church of England is beginning a new effort to reach youngpeople and plant more churches. This follows a report preparedfor next month’s General Synod that claims almost half of An‐glican Churches in the UK have fewer than five 16‐year‐olds.The church has appointed a new Youth Evangelism Task Groupto plan the strategy. The report says that the Evangelism TaskGroup recognises ‘the priority of empowering and equippingthe people of God, including reaching and discipling young peo‐ple.’ It says young people are open to new or deepening faithwhen they discover that the Jesus of the Gospels actively chal‐lenges the injustices they and their communities face. Mean‐while, the Bishop of Islington, Ric Thorpe, the lead bishop forchurch planting, says the church has committed to plantingmore than 2,400 new churches by 2030. – Anglican News

‘Was Blind, But Now I See’A blind Iraqi refugee has memorised an as‐tonishing 87 chapters of the Bible using asolar‐powered audio Bible. 'Fadhil' is arefugee in Jordan. He was given the device,which is smaller than an iPhone, by a teamfrom the evangelistic ministry Leading TheWay. A Leading The Way partner who vis‐ited him in his home says it was humblingto hear him. He says, ‘We memorise a coupleof verses. But he memorised whole chap‐ters. He just meditates on Scriptures day inand day out. Leading The Way has distrib‐uted more than 116,000 Navigator devicesin 25 different languages.

– The Christian Post

NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page EightNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Eight

The Cost Of DiscipleshipNinety thousand Christians were murdered fortheir faith in 2016, according to a report from theInternational Prayer Council. This makes Christiansthe most persecuted religious group in the world. Ofthe Christians who lost their lives in 2016, 70% werekilled in Africa. The remaining 30% lost their lives inpersecution worldwide.The figures are the result of a study by the Centrefor the Study of Global Christianity, who say that highlighting the number of martyrs gives some dignityto those who have died, and it also keeps up the pressure on those who have the power to do somethingabout the situation.The number of Christians martyred in the last decade is 900,000, which amounts to one death everysix minutes. – International Prayer Council

FAITH NEWS FAITH NEWS ...... With Stan HuntWith Stan Hunt

Alfred Stanway Lecture In Global MissionThe Future of Contextualisation: The Next TenYears in Missions is the title for the 2018 AlfredStanway Lecture to be given by Dr Scott Moreau onThursday 19 July at 5.15 pm for refreshments be‐fore the lecture 5.45 pm. Scott Moreau is the long‐standing Professor of Intercultural Studies atWheaton College, Illinois. Famous for his work oncontextualisation, Dr Moreau will consider whathas given shape to current missiological theoriesand practices. This provides the basis for projectingsome of the trends in contextualisation and global‐isation that will shape the coming decade in cross‐cultural engagement at home and around theworld. RSVP is essential. More details are availableon the Ridley Website, https://www.ridley.edu.auChurch Finds A Friend In High PlacesA donation of $50,000 from Ivanka Trump is help‐ing a church’s efforts to care for immigrants. ThePrestonwood Baptist Church in Texas is working toprovide solutions to care for children during theimmigration crisis. The president’s daughter re‐sponded to a tweet from senior Pastor Jack Grahamasking people to pray for this ministry. Pastor Gra‐ham shared with his congregation how the churchplans to use the funds. He and his advisors will visitdetention centres near the border with Mexico todetermine the needs of families and how best to as‐sist. Pastor Graham told The Christian Post that ed‐

ucation and the basic needs of children are beingmet. He says what they need most is someone tobrighten their days and make them smile again. Soas well as providing financial aid to families thechurch is planning to run Vacation Bible School‐type activities. – The Christian PostBook Fair In Seoul Points To A Coming DayNorth Korean books were exhibited for the firsttime at this year's International Book Fair in Seoul,South Korea. New Definition was the theme of the24th annual Book Fair which was held in the PeacePavilion. This year's event invited 234 publishingcompanies from Korea and 91 foreign publishersfrom 32 countries. Organisers say that followingthe South and North Korea Summit in April and thePresident Trump‐Kim ‐ Jong Un meeting in May, thepeace mood opened the door for North Korea at thebook fair. South Korean Christians continue to praythat North Korea will open for the Gospel. Rev DrJaerock Lee, whose book My Life, My Faith was ex‐hibited at the fair, told the ASSIST News Service hebelieves that day is coming. South Korean Churcheshave pastors and laymen preparing for missionarywork in North Korea. – ASSIST News Service‘Chapel Of Peace’ To Be Built In Korean DMZA new chapel is to be built in the Korean Demilita‐rized Zone In what is known as the truce village, itis hoped the structure will act as a ‘chapel of peace.’

– The Christian Post

‘Not To Choose To Embrace Jesus Is To Choose To Reject Jesus.’This stirring call to Jesus‐centred mission came from Ugandan Bishop Alfred Olwa at the start of theGlobal Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON 2018) in Jerusalem. The meeting is the third GAFCON whichwas established to promote Bible‐based, mission‐focussed ministry in the Anglican Church. Bishop Olwatold the conference that some people in churches are rejecting Jesus because they avoid taking a standfor Him. ‘The line is drawn by Jesus,’ he said. ‘You are either in or you are out. There is no sitting on thefence.’ Hundreds of Australians were among the 2,000 delegates in Jerusalem. – Sydneyanglicans.net

‘Persecution is coming’ – Franklin Graham

NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page NineNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Nine

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January 30 - February 18 2019 Stand where Jesus and other great biblical figures of Jewish history have stood, enabling your Bible to become clearer, your faith to become deeper, and your passion for the Lord to become stronger. Dr Arthur & Thelma Sweeney invite you to join this tour of authentic Bible places and welcome your questions and requests for additional information. Price: from A$6975 per head, inclusive of all costs subject to exchange rates at the time of travel. To be sure of a place, book by 31 July 2018.

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NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page TenNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Ten

Reprinted from Our Daily Bread Journey Through Series® – Journey Through John by David Cook(Copyright © 2017) published by Discovery House.

Used with permission of Discovery House. All rights reserved.For further enquiries please visit: journeythrough.org or email: australia@odb.org

New Life gratefully acknowledges Our Daily Bread Ministry’s permission to serialise Journey ThroughJohn, David Cook’s latest Bible study book. In book form it mat be obtained from the addresses above.Our Daily Bread Ministry says: ‘We’re glad you’ve decided to join us on a journey into a deeper rela‐tionship with Jesus Christ! For over 50 years, we have been known for our daily Bible reading notes, OurDaily Bread. Many readers enjoy the pithy, inspiring, and relevant articles that point them to God andthe wisdom and promises of His unchanging Word. Building on the foundation of Our Daily Bread, wehave developed this devotional series to help believers spend time with God in His Word, book by book.We trust this daily meditation on God’s Word will draw you into a closer relationship with Him throughour Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.How To Use This Resource:READ: This book is designed to be read alongside God’s Word as you journey with Him. It offers explana‐tory notes to help you understand the Scriptures in fresh ways.REFLECT: The questions are designed to help you respond to God and His Word, letting Him change youfrom the inside out.RECORD: The space provided allows you to keep a diary of your journey as you record your thoughtsand jot down your responses.

SPREADING THE WORDSPREADING THE WORD ... David Cook... David Cook

John – A New BeginningJohn begins his Gospel with words that remind us of Genesis: ‘In the beginning.’In John’s Gospel, we have a new Genesis, a new beginning, the coming into flesh ofthe Lord of the new creation.The major theme of John’s gospel is that Jesus is the source of life of the newcreation. We read that eternal life is ‘[knowing] You, the only true God, and JesusChrist, whom You have sent’ (John 17.3). God bestows new birth for the new cre‐ation (John 3.3,5); the children of God are those who are born of God (1.13); andnew birth is the giving of this eternal life.In John’s Gospel, Jesus states His claims: I AM the bread of life; the light of theworld; the gate to the sheepfold; the good shepherd; the resurrection and the life; the way,the truth, and the life; the true vine. He backs His words with signs: healing the sick and paralysed; givingsight to the blind; raising the dead; feeding the five thousand; walking on water; turning water into wine.John allows the witnesses to testify about Jesus: John the Baptist (John 1.20); Andrew (1.40); Philip(1.45); Nathanael (1.49); the woman (4.29); Moses (5.46); John himself (21.24); and God the Father(8.18). The key truth here is to realise that Jesus is one with God. He is the Son of God! See the signs, hearthe witnesses, listen to the claims, examine the evidence, and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son ofGod, and so become representatives of the new creation, living out a new quality of life – eternal life – inthis crumbling old creation.All Glory be to Him!

‘Don’t Mess With Theology’ – Survey FindsMost churchgoers will put up with a change in music style or a different preacher, according to a new LifeWay Researchstudy. But don't mess with a church's beliefs or there may be an exodus. The survey of more than1,000 Protestantchurchgoers to see how strongly they are tied to their local congregations found most are committed to staying at theirchurch over the long haul, but more than half say they would strongly consider leaving if the church's beliefs changed.Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research says that pastors often worry about changing church musicand setting off a ‘worship war.’ But few people say they would leave over music. ‘Mess with the music and people maygrumble,’ he says. ‘Mess with theology and they're out the door’. – Baptist Press

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NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page ElevenNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Eleven

Glorious Things – A Protestant’s Guide

To London

• Revised! • Updated! • Illustrated! • Now Available As An e-Book!Glorious Things will help visitors to London arrive well prepared to make the most of their time there.

The guided tours will take you to places like Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral,but Glorious Things will take you to important sites linked to our Protestant heritage.

COST: $10 for the PDF version, with the right to print two hard copies.PAYMENT OPTIONS:

1. Cheque for $10 payable to New Life Australia. Mail to: PO Box 457, Mitcham Vic 3132.(Please include a letter with your name and email address so that we can email the PDF to you.)

2. Direct deposit $10 to Bank: Westpac; A/c name: New Life Australia LtdBSB: 033-112; A/c No: 16-8239 (Please also notify us by email).

Elizabeth Kendal’s New Book ...War! Destruction! Violent Persecution! Martyrdom! Forced Displacement!

For hundreds of thousands of now destitute Christian families, this is the new reality.Yet contrary to all appearances, God is at work in the Middle East.

‘Kendal’s book is a godsend to anyone who is at a loss to understand what lies behind the suffering in the Middle East. Drawing onauthoritative voices from the region, her clear-eyed analysis untangles the conflicts with the heart and insight of a prophet.

– Jeff M. Sellers, Editor, Persecution News Service, Morning Star News.For more information go to: www.ElizabethKendal.com

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New Life is now available free on request by email to everyone, everywhere,who wants to receive it.

PLEASE CONSIDERPLEASE CONSIDERMAKING A DONATION:MAKING A DONATION:

• By Cheque To: New Life, PO Box 457, Mitcham 3132 Vic.• By Direct Deposit To: Account Name: New Life Australia Ltd.

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In 2016 there wereabout 2.2 million pas-tors globally. Only 5%had any formal training.Having untrained pastorswith large churches ofnew believers can be aroad to ruin. Training does not makea pastor, nor does its lackmean that someone can‐not lead a church. How‐ever, training has beenmuch used of the Lord tohelp prepare His under‐shepherds.The traditional theolog-ical colleges seem to beat a crossroads. RichardPratt from Third Millennium Ministries comments that the traditional college model is not working in theWest and should not be copied in the majority world.This is where Theological Education by Extension comes in. TEE keeps learners in their home settingthroughout their training. It uses a mix of self‐study materials, group meetings and action projects toturn learning into deeds. TEE ticks all the boxes of low‐cost, multi‐level, quality‐assured, contextualisedand transformative ministry training.TEE has now entered a new phase of development. This is reflected in The Increase Association whichsupports national TEE bodies across Asia ( www.increaseassociation.org ). Increase is training a new generation of TEE course writers. Three recent workshops took learnersthrough full course development. As Dr Marvin Oxenham from London School of Theology and ICETEsays: ‘I just returned from three days in Malaysia where I had the privilege of meeting the new faces oftheological education by extension. In the picture you see course writers from over a dozen nations thatgathered with the INCREASE Association. These high‐quality courses are carefully researched and de‐signed and are then delivered by trained tutors reaching nearly 100,000 students. The courses bringquality theological education where it would otherwise be impossible. TEE is not a thing of the past, butone of the most exciting delivery innovations that calls for our attention today. ‘Nepal is a good example of the new TEE. Many of Nepal’s 1.5 million Christians arenew believers. ITeen provides TEE courses for about 8,000 people, including amongthe Nepalese diaspora. This Nepalese man (pictured) has been jailed and beaten forevangelising. He is both a student and teacher in TEE, as well as being a seminary grad‐uate. TEE enables the Nepalese church to disciple new believers and to equip them forthe present testing times.’Nepal is just one example of the work of TEE in bringing quality and well accreditedtraining to the poorest of pastors in the most isolated places. The Increase Association,also known as Increase, connects and strengthens TEE and other church‐based trainingmovements across Asia and beyond. Please give it your prayerful support and learn more about it at:www.increaseassociation.org – David Burke.

David teaches at Christ College Sydneyand is involved in several majority-world ministry training projects,

including being part of the Increase Association.

NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page TwelveNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Twelve

‘STUDY TO SHOW YOURSELF APPROVED’‘STUDY TO SHOW YOURSELF APPROVED’

TEE – The New Face In Ministry Training

BOOKS WORTH READINGBOOKS WORTH READING

NEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page ThirteenNEW LIFE – 1 July 2018 – Page Thirteen

�These documentsare the choice fruitof the efforts ofwise theologiansand faithful pas-tors who lived inturbulent timesand sealed theirconfession withpersonal sufferingfor the faith.They provide asummary of theFaith that isworth living forand dying for.�

The Westminster Confession Of Faith, Published By The BannerOf Truth Trust, Edinburgh, 2018. ISBN 978-1-84871-768-8Here is a handsome hardback edition of the Westminster Confession such aswe have come to expect from Banner Of Truth Trust, who want good books to beavailable and to last, so that more than one generation of readers can benefit fromthem, and the present volume is designed to become a well‐used and beloved fam‐ily heirloom.Alongside the Confession Of Faith are the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, to‐gether with other key historical documents that are more difficult to access, so thatthis is a leading feature of this edition. Appended to the Confession are details ofthe American (PCUSA) revisions (1788) to chapters XX, XXIII and XIX. There is apreface addressed To the Christian Reader, especially heads of families, and ThomasManton’s Epistle To The Reader, for the Confession and Catechisms were always in‐tended as tools for Christian education in the home and the church.Other valuable documents included are the Acts Of Assembly And Parliamentthat approved the Confession and Catechisms, The Sum Of Saving Knowledge thatmakes clear the Gospel content of the Confession, namely its teaching on sin, itsremedy in Christ, the need for faith and the signs of true faith, especially godliness.Next is the National Covenant (1639), the Solemn League And Covenant (1643), theDirectory Of The Public Worship Of God, the Form Of Presbyterial Church Governmentand the Directory For Family Worship. Last of all, there is a useful table of contentsfacilitating easy access to the main topics in the Confession and Larger Catechism.Adding to the bulk of this 600‐page plus volume is the fact that the Scriptural Proofsof the Confession and both Catechisms are provided in full text, not just Bible refer‐ences, making this a uniquely valuable study of Christian doctrine and practice.Like the creeds of the early church, the Confession and related documents wereforged in the fire. Their framers faced threats from heresies and the danger of per‐secution by authorities. They lived in a time of national or international crisis. Nei‐ther the creeds nor the Confession are the product of ivory‐towered academics onSabbatical. Rather, they are the choice fruit of the efforts of wise theologians andfaithful pastors who lived in turbulent times and sealed their confession with per‐sonal suffering for the faith. They provide a summary of the Faith that is worth liv‐ing for and dying for. – Greg Goswell

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