Planning is well under way forFranklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, tomake a whistlestop tour of Australia incelebration of Dr Graham’s 1959 visit,which had such a profound and lastingimpact on Christian life in Australia. Givenrecent events here, the visit could nothave come at a more opportune time. Asdarkness deepens, the light of Christneeds to be shone more brightly, and thisvisit will be one of those ways for this tohappen.Victor Hamm, BGEA Vice President ForInternational Events, asks church lead‐ers, ‘When the darknes is getting darker,how will we respond? It’s easy to curse it;it’s easy to run away from it; but we mustengage darkness with the truth – andChrist alone is truth.‘Sixty years on, we aim to celebrate Dr Graham’s 1959 meetings with a series of Proclamation Eventswhich focus on the Cross of Christ and honour what God has done. We want to encourage involvementof all the churches through establishing preyer groups, attending Christian Life And Witness classes, at‐tending the meetings and bringing a friend.’Beginning on 9 February 2019, meetings will be held in Perth, Darwin, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaideand Sydney. Watch this space for further details as they come in. See also https://billygraham.org.au

15 February 2018 Vol 80 No 13 Free On Request: office@nlife.com.au

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CCoolloosssseeuumm WWiillll LLiigghhtt UUpp TToo RReemmeemmbbeerrPPeerrsseeccuutteedd CChhrriissttiiaannss AArroouunndd TThhee WWoorrllddThe Roman Colosseum will be illuminated by red lights on Saturday 24 February to draw attention tothe persecution of Christians around the world, especially in Syria and Iraq. At 6pm that day, the Colos‐seum will be spotlighted in red, to represent the blood of Christians who have been wounded or losttheir lives due to religious persecution, according to Crux. The event, sponsored by Aid To The ChurchIn Need follows a similar initiative last year, which lit‐up London's Parliament building in red, as wellas the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris and the cathedral in Manila, Philippines. In 2016, the famousTrevi Fountain in Rome was lit. – Dan Wooding, ASSIST News Service

1959

2019

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page TwoNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Two

VOLUME 80 NUMBER 13

ISSUE DATE:15 February 2018

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‘The Saints In Prison’ –20 Centuries Later The Saga ContinuesMany Christians have prayed for Ahok, the Christian Governor ofJakarta, who was imprisoned in 2017 for allegedly insulting Islam becausehe quoted a verse from the Koran. He was given a two year prison term.He sent this message out of prison for Christmas and the New Year. It givesus a glimpse of his Christian character:‘Christmas Greetings to all Christians and New Year's wishes to all In‐donesians. May God, the source of hope, grace us all with good health, joyand peace. People ought to be selflessly loving because it is who we are.Humans are made in the image of the selfless God; loving others is whatmakes us truly human. Happy New Year.’ The message was written in bothEnglish and Indonesian in his own handwriting and was uploaded to In‐stagram by his supporters.Ahok has now served one quarter of his sentence and was given a 15‐day sentence reduction for good behaviour at Christmas. What a testi‐mony of one who in Christ finds strength to 'turn the other cheek' andshow love even to those who wanted him killed!Meanwhile, Pastor Andrew Brunson languishes in a Turkish prisonand pleads for prayer to endure his suffering as a good soldier of JesusChrist. ‘Please have prayer for me,’ he asks his wife, ‘I am very discour‐aged.’It's been 16 months since his arrest, and Pastor Brunson, an innocentUS citizen, remains locked away in a Turkish prison, seemingly held as apolitical prisoner while his emotional and physical states deteriorate. Lastweek Pastor Andrew and his Turkish attorney had a formal meeting withthe prosecutor in Turkey, which was only just recently scheduled. Al‐though this was the first such meeting since Pastor Andrew's detention,very little was accomplished. With still no access to the case file, indict‐ment, or end in sight, Pastor Andrew penned a heartbreaking note to hiswife via an embassy official shortly after the meeting. Meanwhile, themost recent monthly legal appeal of Pastor Andrew's wrongful detentionis still pending, but there is little hope that it will be granted. Further dis‐heartening is the fact that – in Turkey – Pastor Andrew can be held for upto seven years without any formal charges.Please add Pastor Andrew to your prayer list, that God would give himstrength and that he would soon be released from prison.The ACLJ continues to advocate on Pastor Andrew's behalf. They havealready taken his case to the US Congress, the Oval Office, and the UnitedNations. They will not back down, but will continue to fight this violationof justice and human rights until Pastor Andrew is released and returnedhome to his family in America.The plight of such brethren underlines the continuing hostility ofthis world against Christ and His people. Their witness in dark placeschallenges us to be thankful for the freedom we enjoy and to bear faithfulwitness in our lives of comparative ease.

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page ThreeNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Three

‘FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH GO ON ...’‘FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH GO ON ...’

Belgrave Heights Convention cele-brated 100 Years of Witness, 1918to 2018 this year. We all thank Godfor faithful leaders over the last tendecades, who had the vision to buy theproperty at Belgrave Heights and ex‐pand the convention, from Upwey toBelgrave Heights. We especially thankthe Centenary Committee whoplanned the celebrations. The amazingdisplay in the auditorium foyer wasbuilt and presented by Sally and An‐drew Minett, with the help of theirsons, James and Tim. It was like walk‐ing into a museum. The 100 years ofministry was set out in chronologicalorder with pictures and written expla‐nations, all taken from the marvelous book Belgrave Heights Convention 100.Sally Minett, a council member and Bible Study Fellowship teacher, with the help and support of JustineJasmine Well and Michaela Otterson, compiled this remarkable publication. Order your copy from theconvention office ($60). It is being reprinted in time for the Easter Convention. The display will remainfor Easter as well. The centenary book is a wonderful history in words and pictures of the many highlightsthroughout the years.It looks back over the great workings of God in the last century and also looks forward to the chal‐lenges of the future. In 2013, Sally accepted the challenge of writing the history of BHC, and then pre‐senting the magnificent display. It is the story of growth, development, new ministries, testimonies,challenge and mission. It is not the history of events, but the story of a movement in the lives of many,many people; lives touched, changed, transformed. At the first seminar Sally’s topic was Reflections OnThe Centenary History. One part of the BHC message is evangelism; another is mission, but the main pur‐pose is the deepening of spiritual life in the believer.It all started in 1878, when Rev H.B. Macartney visited Keswick, in England. As he was changed andrevived, he returned home with the same burden for Melbourne. He started the Evangelization SocietyOf Australia. He began actively to pray for the city and for an evangelist to make a difference. After manyyears of persevering and faithful prayer, in 1891, Keswick sent a missioner to the colonies, George Grubb.In 1902, R.A. Torrey was invited to Melbourne with his singer, Charles Alexander. Before they arrivedthere were between 1,700 and 2,000 weekly prayer meetings in the city, organized by H.P. Smith, managerof the Federal Coffee Palace. The Melbourne Gospel Crusade came from that, with day‐long meetings atEltham and Black Rock. At the end of the war in 1918, with the help of James and John Griffiths (of Grif‐fiths Brothers Tea fame) who had holiday homes in Upwey and The Basin, the first Summer Conventionwas held.H.P. Smith had been a journalist and he produced a Keswick Quarterly publication to keep peoplein touch between conventions. Thirty of these magazines were available for Sally’s research and for usto carefully peruse after the seminar.Richard Coombs, BHC chairman, interviewed Will Renshaw, the oldest living attendee of the con‐vention. He was carried into the meeting in his mother’s arms at the Summer Convention of 1926‐27,and he has been coming ever since. Will’s father was one of the founders of The Melbourne Gospel Cru‐sade. He made his first commitment to the Lord aged five, when his older brother spoke to his siblings.(Continued on Page Four)

Belgrave Heights Convention Celebrates100 Years Of Witness

BHC Convention meeting in the refurbishedauditorium. – Pic by Al Watson

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page FourNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Four

‘FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH GO ON ...’‘FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH GO ON ...’(Continued from Page Three)Then during 1941-42 Summer Convention Will committed his life fully to Jesus at the evangelisticmeeting with the speaker, Rev C.J. Tinsley. His hope is for a real filling of the Holy Spirit in people’s livesduring future conventions. His prayer is that God will revive His people again, as He did in the early days.One of this year’s speakers, Peter Maiden, grew up in a Christian home in Carlisle, 30 miles fromKeswick. He says, ‘I fell in love with Jesus on my mother’s knee.’ He had been International Director ofOperation Mobilization, and Chairman of Keswick Convention for many years. Now he is InternationalDirector Emeritus of OM and Minister at Large of Keswick. He has been involved in world mission for 45years.Peter presented the history of the Keswick movement in England, which is the background of BHC.Thomas Harford‐Battersby was an Anglican clergyman for 25 years in Keswick. He was actively involvedin the local community, Cumbria, and the Church Missionary Society but he was dissatisfied with hisinner life. He said, ‘How very far I am from habitually enjoying the peace and love which God offers.’ Hefelt he needed for himself what he preached to others. This yearning for holiness continued for 25 years.At a conference in 1873, he experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit. He commented on this experience,‘God enabled me to make a full surrender. Christ was revealed to me as the present Saviour in all His suf‐ficiency.’ He then attended a Brighton conference with a friend, Robert Wilson, with over 7,000 from over20 nations.Canon Harford-Battersby wanted similar meetings in Keswick. In June‐July 1875, about 300 to 400believers gathered for the first convention on the vicarage lawn at Keswick.There has never been a decreed system of teaching but Keswick Convention became known for ho‐liness and sanctification by faith; a crisis in experience in the life of the believer resulting in greater vic‐tory over sin, as you rest by faith in the power of the life of Christ in you. (Romans 6‐8)Keswick is not just another conference to confer about a topic. It is a convention, concentrating onthe continual transformation of our lives into the image of Christ. It is a practical demonstration of re‐liance on God; preaching with and for conviction; directly relevant to modern contemporary living.Keswick encourages evangelical middle ground, and welcomes all Bible‐believing evangelicals. In 1885,a group of students stood and offered themselves for overseas mission. Since then the impact of Keswickon worldwide missions has been enormous.Today Keswick holds three weeks of consecutive meetings each year. People usually attend for oneweek. The two sites are separated by town buildings, but the future project is for the land to be purchasedbetween and an auditorium built to seat 7,000.Keswick never set out to be an organization. It just happened to spread to groups with a desire forGod and holiness. They planted autonomous movements, all independent, worldwide. There are no legalbinders with Keswick. However a fellowship signs up to the doctrinal statement with the same vision,and enjoys loose fellowship. There are 50 Keswicks in UK, and many around the world, including BHC.

– Barbie Prout (‘Mrs D.P.’)

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

Many students of Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College will remember with gratitude to God their lecturerin Social Sciences, Gordon Young, a brilliant lecturer and outstanding witness for Christ. A former stu‐dent, now pastor, Merv Olsen (1963‐64) has written a biography of Gordon, One Consuming Passion –To Tell The World – An Assessment Of The Life And Ministry Of Leslie Gordon Young, MA, DipRE. It is avail‐able from him in PDF format at mervolsen@gmail.com

Kibuku District: Munabi Abudallah (37) asked his local sheikh why Islamic prayers were conducted in Arabic, alanguage he did not understand. The sheikh explained that it is because Allah communicated to Muhammad in Ara‐bic; he also advised Manubi not to question it. Confused and disillusioned, Munabi asked local Christians how theirGod communicated with them. They explained that the God of the Bible communicates with people in their ownlanguage. On 20 January, after several private sessions with a local pastor, Munabi believed that 'God is love' (1 John4.8,16) and decided to put his faith in Jesus. At that moment he received 'a unique peace that I had not experiencedbefore'. Unable to contain his joy, Munabi shared his experience with Aisha his wife. In the presence of their sevenchildren aged 3 to 17, Aisha shouted at Munabi, calling him 'kafir' (unclean/infidel). Horrified and furious she drovehim from their home. The next day, Munabi visited the pastor, who duly prayed with him. He then returned home tofind his father and other local Muslims gathered there, their anger evident. Furious, his father disowned, cursed andstruck him. Shocked, Munabi fled back to the pastor. Within 24 hours of coming to faith in Christ, Munabi had losthis wife and seven children, his parents and his home, his community and his security. Understandably, he is ab‐solutely traumatised. 'The Muslims are searching to kill me,' he said. 'I need prayers.'Budaka District: Nafamba Bongo Madina and her husband put their faith in Jesus some two years ago. Though herhusband subsequently died, Nafamba remained firm in her faith and continued to raise their five children, aged 5to 14, in the Lord. On Christmas morning (25 December 2017) one of Nafamba's Muslim neighbours brought her agift hamper. Nafamba prepared the Christmas meal for her family and guests, using the cooking oil from the hamper.Before plating up the food, she tasted it. Within a minute Nafamba was vomiting and screaming. Her family racedher to the hospital where doctors treated her for poisoning. Later her relatives took the gifted cooking oil for analysis,which confirmed the oil had been laced with poison. Horrified by the attack, the village chairman, John Guloba, aChristian, convened a village meeting for 28 December. He questioned the culprit, Taaka Hajira, who freely confessedto attempting to kill the Madina family, which she held in contempt for leaving Islam. Despite her confession, villageelders refused to make any legal decision. They also decided not to call the police, so as to avoid stoking the wrathof fundamentalist Muslims. Consequently, persecution of the family – particularly of the children – has escalated.Mayuge District: In October 2015 Mulangira Ibrahim – a missionary of Islam and sheikh on Dagusi Island (whichis on Lake Victoria in Mayuge District) – had a vision in which he saw himself holding a Bible. Confused, he decidedto visit the local Evangel World Vision Church and have a chat with its pastor. To allay fears, he took along a childfrom the Islamic school, intending that the child would enter the church, find the pastor and ask him to meet thesheikh at the door. However, upon arriving at the church door, Sheikh Ibrahim fell to the ground, temporarily blinded.Terrified, the child ran off screaming that the Christians had killed the sheikh. When the pastor arrived at the door,he found Sheikh Ibrahim praising 'Issa' (Jesus) as Lord. Muslims, whoalso had rushed to the scene, beat Ibrahim until Christians could rescuehim. The Muslims then proceeded to Sheikh Ibrahim's home. They tookaway his wife, Nalunkuma, and his three children aged 4 to 8, and left anote warning him not to return. Within hours of confessing that Jesusis Lord, he had lost everything. On 16 November 2017 Muslims trickedand ambushed Mulangira Ibrahim and beat him into unconsciousness.Christians found Mulangira in a pool of blood and called police. PastorCharles Musana of the Evangel World Vision Church rushed Mulangirato a nearby medical dispensary where he received treatment for multi‐ple injuries. On 7 December a Muslim broke into the house the churchwas renting for Mulangira close to the dispensary, and attempted to killhim, this time suffocating him into unconsciousness. Muslims havevowed to kill him. While the church has moved him to a secret locationwhere he is under the care of believers, his injuries require ongoingmedical treatment. 'At the moment the medical bill is high,' said his pas‐tor. 'We need prayers for a quick recovery.'The population of Uganda is roughly 85% Christian, with a ChristianPresident and a secular constitution that guarantees religious freedom.Yet persecution with impunity is fast becoming the order of the day inthe Muslim‐dominated Eastern Province.

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page FiveNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Five

MATTERS FOR PRAYER:MATTERS FOR PRAYER:

UGANDA: High Cost Of Faith In Muslim-Dominated Eastern Region

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

PLEASE PRAY FOR:• Munabi Abudallah, that God will comfort, encour-age, sustain and protect him. May God watch overthe church and keep it safe. Nafamba Madina andher children. May the Lord supply their every need.May Taaka Hajira (the Muslim culprit) be convictedof sin and drawn to repentance. MulangiraIbrahim. May the Lord supply his need for physicalhealing. May the Holy Spirit open the heart of hiswife, Nalunkuma, to receive the Gospel. May Godwatch over Pastor Charles Musana and the Evan-gel World Vision Church and keep them safe.• God to intervene in Uganda's central govern-ment, to remind members of Parliament of their re-sponsibility to ensure that the constitutional rightto religious freedom applies to all citizens andstretches across the whole state, including Mus-lim-dominated Eastern. May many local Muslimsbe drawn to the God of amazing grace; the Godwho is love.

CHURCH AND NATIONCHURCH AND NATION

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page SixNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Six

Honour To Whom Honour Is Due:Dr David Claydon, who has served in various Sydney Anglican parishes and whois a Canon Emeritus of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney and Canon of All Saints Cathe‐dral, Cairo, was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Angli‐can Church in Australia, to inter‐faith relations, and to refugees. Dr Claydon servedas International Director of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization from2002‐2004 and has been a senior adviser from 2004. He also chairs the Dealing WithDiversity Conference, which comprises heads of churches from a range of denomi‐nations who meet with Federal politicians to inform them about value‐based reli‐gions which have come to Australia with migrants. He also chairs the PersecutedMinorities Advocacy and Integration Committee of the Barnabas Fund. David, who is recovering from amajor operation, also serves on the National Christian Heritage Sunday Committee. He has written sev‐eral books including Islam: Human Rights And Public Policy and recently had a full page write up in Eter-nity News. – Sydney Anglican News, also NACL

Lyle Shelton, former managing director of the Aus‐tralian Christian Lobby, has joined Senator CoreyBernardi’s Australian Conservatives Party. Lyle Sheltonsays, ‘After more than a decade living in Canberra,fighting for truth and freedom I can tell you that Can‐berra is broken.’The Adelaide Advertiser reports that Lyle Sheltonhas been appointed the Australian Conservatives’ Fed‐eral Communications Director and party spokesman.‘This is not the Australia I grew up in,’ he says, ‘but Ibelieve that there are things in life worth fighting for.’ He aims to win a seat in Canberra at the next federalelection.Senator Bernardi said ‘Mr Shelton is a man who lives his principles every single day, not only in thepublic sphere but in his private life as well.’ Mr Shelton is the highest profile recruit for the AustralianConservatives, after he rose to national prominence during the same‐sex marriage postal vote last year.Martyn Iles is taking over as managing director of Australian Christian Lobby.

Big Move For Lyle Shelton

Senator Bernardi (right) looks onas Lyle Shelton states his intention.

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page SevenNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Seven

New Book Aims To Help Doubters Come To Faith In JesusThe Jesus of public imagination is often markedly different from thefigure found in the earliest sources, says the senior minister at St An‐drew’s Anglican Church in Roseville, Sydney. John Dickson, who is alsoco‐director of the Centre For Public Christianity, has released his newbook A Doubter’s Guide To Jesus, in which he claims Jesus cannot be putin a box. He says the best information points not to a tidy, monolithicJesus, but to a complex, multi‐layered, and, at times, contradictory figure.A Doubter’s Guide To Jesus is an introduction to the major portrayalsof Jesus found in the earliest historical sources. The publishers, Harperand Collins, say readers will find themselves both disturbed and intriguedby the images of Jesus found in the earliest historical sources.Dr Dickson has written more than a dozen books, and he is the hostof two major historical documentaries for Australian television.

– Harper Collins

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

Faith At Work Bearing Fruit In SpainCivic authorities in many Spanish cities are meetingwith evangelical leaders to recognise the socialwork of churches. The Protestant church has beena minority in Spain, with members even sufferingpersecution, according to Evangelical Focus. Butthis is changing, the organisation says, as Spanishsociety recognises what evangelicals are doing tohelp people in need. The civic leaders praised thesocial action carried out by the evangelical associ‐ations and churches, especially those helping fam‐ilies with fewer resources or at risk of exclusion.Churches are using the celebration of the 500th an‐niversary of the Reformation to show the beliefs,history, impact and values of the evangelical churchin the country. – Evangelical FocusRaising Standards In SRE Teaching In NSWA new taskforce has been set up to keep the teach‐ing standards of ‘Scripture’ in NSW schools up‐to‐date. From this year, all 107 providers of SpecialReligious Education across NSW schools will becertified under a new program. The Better Bal-anced Futures program has been developed by ajoint committee of all faith providers in conjunctionwith the NSW Department of Education. Chair of

All Faiths SRE, Rachele Schonberger, told EternityNews the program will raise the standards of SREwhile promoting values consistent with the beliefsof parents. SRE is taught in 92% of primary schoolsand 81% of secondary schools in NSW. More than400,000 children, and nine out of ten students aretaught by Christian groups.

– Eternity News at biblesociety.org.auHow Churches Are Growing In IndonesiaChurches are growing through good neighbourevangelism in Indonesia. As Indonesia continues tomake plans to move its capital to the island of Bor‐neo, more people are moving there. Mission Net‐work News reports that Christians in Borneo visitnewcomers and offer help, a welcome and prayer.The majority of people moving in are Muslims whohave a very different concept of prayer. Answers toprayer astound them and draw many to ask ques‐tions about Jesus. After some Christians had prayedwith a Muslim woman, she asked if the churchwould start a group where she and other Muslimwomen could come and learn more about Jesuswithout fear. Church leaders say opportunity forministry is expanding and they are seeing manyMuslims coming to faith in Christ. – MNN

Kelly Clark Comes To Faith In Christ – And It ShowsKelly Clark’s rise in the world of snowboarding has made her a legend in the sport but as she literallysoars to incredible heights in the snow, it took getting grounded in her faith for her to really know herself.At age 18 at the 2002 Olympics in Utah, Kelly won gold. Now, at the age of 34, Kelly took part in an un‐precedented fifth Olympics. But she says that in all her successes she was looking for a sense of signif‐icance. One night after competition she went back to her hotel room and began reading the Bible. Shethen explored everything she could about Christianity. Several Christian snowboarding friends helpedher until she came to faith in Christ and was baptised. Kelly Clark demonstrates her commitment toChrist with a message printed on the top side of her snowboard: ‘Jesus, I cannot hide my love.’ She fin‐ished fourth in the Women’s Halfpipe competition in South Korea. – Christian Headlines

When A Minister Retires ...Rev Ron Scates recently retired as senior pastor of Highland Park Presbyterian Church inDallas, Texas, and entered on the ‘fourth quarter’ of ministry. He shares with us his storyso far ...Someone has said, ‘Old preachers never die, they’re just put out to pastor’. After38 years of tremendously satisfying and challenging ministry in three wonderfulchurches in the United States (First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, Texas, CentralPresbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland and Highland Park Presbyterian Church,Dallas, Texas) I stepped down on 31 January 2017 from my last pastorate and have been ‘put out to pas‐tor’ in Jakarta, Indonesia for a six month stint as a church planter. Having been raised in a missions‐driven congregation, I’ve been missiologically wired all throughout my life and ministry. I don’t seeanything about ‘retirement’ in the Bible, so when I began planning my exit from my last pastorate, I waslooking for a possible missions opportunity so that I could live up to what I had been telling my flocksthrough the years: ‘You’re either are a missionary, or you need one.’I’ve never taken a call, or gone anywhere, without what I call ‘the fire in the belly’ – something thatthe Lord has laid on my heart that I cannot walk away from. That call and that fire came last summerfrom some folks at the Palita Harapan University in Jakarta. They have an awesome vision of plantingdozens of churches across Indonesia by sending graduates of their medical and nursing schools andteachers college to start schools and medical clinics, around which a church is planted utilizing the criticalmass of Christian teachers, doctors, and nurses who are sent to the villages from the university.Two such plants are now up and running, and I will be flying out to preach at those churches once amonth. The rest of my time is spent pastoring a newly‐organized ex‐pat congregation – the KarawaciPresbyterian Church – which meets on the university campus, specifically selecting and training eldersand deacons, doing pastoral ministry, and attempting to turn this congregation of some 200 folks into afunctioning flock that will serve as the ‘mother church’ for all the church plants. I’m also serving as achaplain to the faculty, staff, and students of the university and, as such, preach the university Sundaychapel services at 7.30 and 9.15am on Sunday mornings with some 2,000 folk in each service ) followedby the Karawaci service at 10.15am. I’m preaching straight through Paul’s Letter To The Galatians in allthe services, and preach through an interpreter at the first two, then I’m able to cut loose in English atthe third service, which is an exciting mixture of English‐speakers from all over the globe. Check out theKarawaci Church online at: karawacipresbyterian.orgAs you know, Indonesia has the largest Muslim population of any country in the world. And, asyou know too, Islam is perhaps the biggest challenge that the Church Of Jesus Christ faces as we navigateour way through the 21st Century. It is also obvious that the Lord is up to something here in Jakarta, aswell as across the Muslim world. More Muslims have come to Christ in the past 15 years than in the past15 centuries combined, so I feel highly privileged that He has called me to this crucial post at this strategictime in history. The goal is to plant hundreds of churches/schools/clinics around the islands of Indonesia.I thank the Lord for letting me have some small part in this facet of His world‐wide Kingdom enterprise.To God be the glory! – Ron Scates

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page EightNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Eight

‘THIS IS MY STORY ...’‘THIS IS MY STORY ...’

Ramon A Wi l l iamsRamon A Wi l l iams– Wor ldwide Pho tos –– Wor ldwide Pho tos –

WANT TO SEE MORE?New Life can only publish a small selection

of photos, but you can see more of thoseattributed to Worldwide Photos by contacting

Ramon Williams,e-mail: rlgmedia@ozemail.com.au

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

Standing Ovation For A Worthy Servant Of The LordRay Walker, long-serving Business Development Manager of Christian Min-istry Advancement, has retired and was honoured at a CMA Breakfast on 15 Feb‐ruary. In his youth Ray had been a back pocket player for the Western BulldogsVFL/AFL Football Club, who came to faith in Christ as his Lord and Saviour 40 yearsago through the ministry of CBMC, and whose faith was always strong both on andoff the field.For the past 25 years Ray has been involved in the Christian workspace. TomSlater spoke warmly of his involvement with Evangelical Alliance and CMA, high‐lighting Ray’s ever cheerful and optimistic disposition, his prayerfulness, his con‐stant upholding of the Christian ethic and worldview. Tom Peverdy said that Rayhad earned the love and respect of those around him, he was an amazing networkerand was a role model of Christian character who will be greatly missed.Ray is one of the great army of Christians who work behind the scenes, but whose work is so nec‐essary in facilitating the work of those who are more to the fore. The high regard in which Ray is heldwas shown by all present giving him a loud and lengthy standing ovation Those who know Ray are con‐fident that he will still find much to do in the service of the Lord.

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page NineNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Nine

‘STRIVING TOGETHER FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL’‘STRIVING TOGETHER FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL’

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LIFE! So Much More Than

A Sandwich, A Muffin And A MilkshakeWhen I got married and moved into a new home with my beautiful bride it was the start ofa new and very exciting phase of life. But every new chapter, no matter how sweet, bringsits own new set of rules and challenges. The first thing to really pester my new life was very simple, andit all came down to one thing: food.Growing up, both my wife and I had a stay-at-home Mum who always provided the food. While Ihelped out with preparing the food I never had the responsibility of working out what we would cookin the first place. Mum would say this is what we are having, or can you please make this, and that wasthat. But now I suddenly had to figure out what was on the menu for breakfast … and lunch … and dinner… seven days a week. It involved a headspace I wasn’t really used to, and consumed a lot more time thanI thought possible!Day to day life is busy – speeding right along with chores to do, appointments to keep and numbers tocrunch. Trying to fit in a well‐balanced diet without resorting to cheap and fast junk food actually takesquite a concerted effort!I was struck with just how much we need to eat, and how often. Even the most beautifully cookedmeal satisfies for only a couple of hours. A lovingly crafted chicken sandwich with smashed avocado,tomatoes and melted cheese made for a filling lunch, especially when paired with a batch of fresh muffinsand a milkshake on the side. But after lunch it’s head down to work and before you know it the foodcraving starts again.In the bigger picture, life can easily become a cycle of working to fulfil the immediate cravings of ourbodies. I need to eat, I need to work, and I really need to sleep! Life picks up the pace and becomes arushing wind of fulfilling one desire only to be faced with the next one. Welcome to the rat race.But what does God have to say on all this? He gives us a different perspective. When Jesus was fastingin the wilderness for 40 days Satan came to tempt Him, and urged Jesus to turn a stone into some bread.Jesus answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes fromthe mouth of God”.’ (Matthew 4.4) After 40 days without food there is no question that Jesus was hungry.But the craving of His body is second to His craving for the Word of God. Obviously, we need food toexist, but food alone is not living.And so as I go to make myself another sandwich to satisfy that continual craving for food, I need toremind myself to crave a richer food as well, a spiritual food. God’s Word is sitting on my table, boundin leather, and it is inviting me to feast on it.Thomas Devenish lives in Hobart, Tasmania. He works as a motion designer and enjoys the diverse expe-riences life has to offer, from wake-boarding to curling up with a good book on a rainy day. Reprinted withpermission from Press Service International. Thomas Devenish’s previous articles may be viewed atwww.pressserviceinternational.org/thomas-devenish.html

YOUTH VIEWYOUTH VIEW

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page TenNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Ten

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).

FROM ALL QUARTERSFROM ALL QUARTERS

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page ElevenNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Eleven

Answers For Today’s QuestionsFinding Common Ground: A Contemporary Chal-lenge For The Church is the title of the Anglican In‐stitute Annual Lecture to be held at Ridley Collegeon Monday 5 March at 5.30pm refreshments for thelecture at 5.45. This year’s speaker is Dr Kate Har‐rison Brennan, CEO of Anglican Deaconess Min‐istries in Sydney. Against the recent trend ofChristians ‘exiling’ themselves due to increasing op‐position, Dr Brennan willargue that such an approach isnot the way forward. Rather,what is needed is fresh imagi‐nation inspired by the Old Tes‐tament prophets, and arenewed commitment to seekthe common good. Kate andher husband are members ofSt George’s Anglican Church inSydney’s Paddington.

So Much For ‘Inclusiveness’: Creationist KenHam Kicked Off Campus By Activists

In another example of free speechbeing denied on a university cam‐pus, Ken Ham, founder of the popu‐lar Creation Museum and ArkEncounter attractions in the USA ,has been stopped from speaking at

Oklahoma Central University next month. Ham'spresentation in the school's Constitution Hall wasobjectionable to a campus LGBT group, which putheavy pressure on the UCO Student Associationand university officials to cancel the speaking en‐gagement. In his proposed talk at UCO, Ham wouldhave discussed the two different worldviews andtheir starting points when interpreting scientificevidence, as he did in his evolution/creation de‐bate with Bill Nye ‘The Science Guy’ four years ago.

WITH CHRIST: On Saturday 11 December 2017, Barbara Sayers was called home by Christ. Barbara served formany years in North Queensland, first as a nurse and then as a Wycliffe Bible translator. It was said at her funeralthat ‘If there is one lasting legacy that Barbara has left, it is the translation of the New Testament into Wik‐Mungkan, the language of the Wik Aboriginal people in North Queensland.’ Sydney University recognised Barbara’slinguistic gifts and allowed her to complete an MA in linguistics without requiring her to first undertake a primarydegree. We praise God for all that He did through Barbara!

Songs Of Praise In Diamond ValleyDiamond Valley Baptist Church will be holding its Songs OfPraise programs throughout 2018, on 15 April (AutumnSongs Of Praise), 16 September (Springtime Songs OfPraise) and 2 December (Christmas Songs Of Praise).These completely free events are open to everyone and in-clude afternoon tea. Do come along, bring your friends andenjoy these wonderful afternoons. The programs start at2pm (1.30pm for pre-show program) at Diamond ValleyBaptist Church, 309 Diamond Creek Rd, Plenty (Melway D11). For further enquiries please contact Dr Matthew Field,0416 190 539 or office@matthewfield.com.au

Tragic Death Of Devout Christian PilotGareth Morgan, the pilot of the seaplane that crashed near Syd-ney on New Year's Eve killing all six aboard was a devout Chris-tian whose faith was reinforced through flight, according to hismother. He had more than 10,000 hours flying experience, themajority in seaplanes, and had flown in the High Arctic of Canada,the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and Australia during a 20-yearcareer. As well as flying seaplanes around the world he also tookpart in missionary work in Mexico and Africa, and his mother saidhis religion had also played a role in his becoming a pilot.

Conservative Christian Candidate ForPresident Of Costa RicaA conservative evangelicalChristian has emerged as thefront‐runner to take the presi‐dency in Costa Rica. FabricioMunoz, a singer and worshipleader, will face a centre‐left ruling party candidatein April, after he won a first round by sharply op‐posing gay marriage. Mr Munoz denounced a rulingby the Inter‐American Court Of Human Rights call‐ing on Costa Rica to give marriage rights to same‐sex couples. He described it as a violation of CostaRica's sovereignty and an affront to traditional val‐ues. Evangelicals are a powerful force in Costa Rica,reflecting similar changes across Latin America.

– Christian Today

Gospel Recordings NetworkGRN asks for prayer for the team in Nepal as theyplan to distribute GRN audio materials to six prior‐ity language groups. Please pray for the Lord’spreparation of the hearts of these Nepali peoplegroups to receive the Good News. Also Geoff Wongwill have conversations with Australian Bible Col‐lege students as they begin their studies in Febru‐ary. Pray that this may help them understand God’sdirection for them. Pray also that some might con‐sider serving with GRN as recordists in the future.Please pray for continued recovery after surgery forPeter Cochrane and Alex Shaw.

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page TwelveNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Twelve

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

maintaining that Isaiah 1-39 provides an unambiguous treatise on how God's people are to respond to persecution, suffering and existential threat.

For purchasing options, visit: www.turnbackthebattle.com

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

ST KILDA: Cnr Alma Rd/Barkly St. Every Sunday 11am & 7pm;Living Stones Korean Presbyterian Church. Every Sunday 1pm;

BALACLAVA: Cnr Hotham St/Denman Rd. Every Sunday 9.30am.MINISTER: Rev Bob Thomas 0417 592 646

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

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page ThirteenNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Thirteen

PERSECUTION WATCHPERSECUTION WATCH

NEPAL – A Jump In PersecutionNepal didn’t feature on the World Watch List in 2017. However,this year the country ranked #25. And the number of Christians inNepal is growing at a breath‐taking rate. In the past year, manychurches have been targeted. Christians were jailed, and other be‐lievers had to flee their homes. Christians have also been attackedby local Hindu priests, radical groups and even their own commu‐nities. Last Easter, a Christian worker, Khadka, was shot in Kath‐mandu as he was leaving an Easter church service.‘I was just riding my bike. And I thought that street children wereplaying with crackers and they threw it on me. I ignored it, and kept on riding.’ Khadka said. I reached[another] church service near my house. I was feeling a little bit of pain in my left waist. I felt somethingwet on my waist, so I [asked] my friend to look. When he did, he was shocked. It was blood ...’Pray for Christians like Khadka, pray that they will be protected when attending church. Pray for rad‐ical Hindu groups and persecutors in Nepal, that they may come to know Jesus. Pray that the church con‐tinues to grow in Nepal despite growing persecution. – Open Doors

CHINA: 100 Christians Sent To ‘Re-Education’ CampsMore than 100 Christians have been sent to ‘re‐educa‐tion’ camps in China’s north‐western Xinjiang UyghurAutonomous Region in the past few months. In thesecamps, also known as ‘study centres’ or ‘mind‐transfor‐mation centres’, they are taught how to be loyal to thecommunist ideology. Most detainees are from theUyghur ethnic minority group and have a Muslim back‐ground. In recent years the Uyghurs have been theprime targets of the government’s ‘anti‐terror’ cam‐paign, aimed at cracking down on both separatistgroups and militant Islamists. But those who have con‐verted to Christianity have also been caught up in thecrackdown. A source told World Watch Monitor thatmembers of his church were sent to such a camp with‐out knowing when they would come back. Some stayedfor a month, others for half a year or even longer. Chris‐tian families were torn apart as one or both parentswere taken for ‘re‐education’. – World Watch Monitor

NORTH KOREA: Beware Of Token GesturesAt the Winter Olympics, much of the world has beencaptivated by the joint Korean women's ice hockeyteam. One member of the International Olympic Com‐munity has even suggested the joint Korean teamshould be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. But theChristian persecution advocacy group Open Doors haswarned people not to be fooled by the show of unity be‐tween North and South Korea at the games. MatthewRees, advocacy policy officer at Open Doors, says thatevery day more than 300,000 Christians in North Koreaare fighting for their very survival. He says tens of thou‐sands of Christians are incarcerated in horrific labourcamps, and thousands more have to keep their faith inChrist a complete secret. The comments came as the USVice President Mike Pence travelled to South Korea andmet with a group of North Korean defectors who con‐firmed the cruel dictatorship.

– Open Doors

What We Should Really Pray For In North KoreaWe should see the North Korean missile crisis as a prompt for prayer for our persecuted family inside the ‘hermitkingdom’ – and for Pyongyang’s leaders. That’s the cry of Release partners as Pyongyang staged a provocativeshow of its military strength as the Winter Olympics got under way in South Korea. Please pray for Pyongyang’sleaders, that God will meet them in His grace and His glory, every time you hear North Korea mentioned in thenews. Dr Eric Foley, Release’s partner who works with North Korean defectors, says it is not enough to pray forregime change or an easing of tensions – because this would not break the cycle of persecution. Rather, hesays, we should pray for a radical change of heart among North Korean leaders. ‘When those missiles arepointed at us, should we simply pray that things are returned to the way they were before?’ asks Dr Foley. ‘No!The status quo means Christians experience torture and imprisonment for the sake of their faith.‘We should pray that it becomes possible for the first time in their lives for Christians in North Korea to practisetheir faith without recrimination. Pray with North Korea’s underground church that the country’s leader KimJong-Un will come to know Christ and that his nation will find true peace in God. Pray that the Holy Spirit willmove among the Supreme Leader’s inner circle and lead many of them to meet with Christ as their Lord andSaviour. Ask Jesus to sustain and strengthen our brothers and sisters in North Korea and restore their hope inHim and in a future where His Name is glorified across the whole Korean peninsula.’

Governor Festus sees in the visit of King Agrippa and his wife Bernice, an op‐portunity for advice on Paul’s case. Festus must send a covering letter with Paul toRome. He would appreciate input from the Herodian king, Agrippa, who is the sonof Herod Agrippa I and the brother of Drusilla, mentioned in chapter 24. Agrippaknew the Jewish scriptures and had the right to appoint the Jewish High Priest.Again, Paul is on the front foot, recounting his testimony for the second timein Acts. Previously he had testified before the crowd in Jerusalem (chapter 22).Festus interrupts the speech at Paul’s mention of the resurrection of the dead(v 23). In Jerusalem, the crowd had stopped Paul when he claimed the Gentileswould form part of God’s people (22.21). Here, he has already moved past thispoint of his testimony (vv 17,18).On this occasion, the secular Festus stops Paul and doesn’t engage in debate (v 24),but states that Paul is insane because of his insistence on life beyond death.Paul responds by claiming that what he is saying is both ‘true and reasonable’ (v 25) and appealsto Agrippa’s greater familiarity, as a Jewish leader, with these things. The Gospel will always ‘punch above its weight’. Aggressive, secular op‐ponents are never a match for Spirit‐empowered testimony. We ourselvesare evidence of that.Agrippa recognises Paul’s persuasive intent and Paul openly re‐sponds – ‘pray God that not only you but everybody listening to me today,may become what I am’ (v 20).Paul says in Romans 10.9, ‘If you confess with your mouth, Jesus isLord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, youwill be saved’.Here Paul asserts the centrality of the resurrection. This is a word tothe closed‐minded secularist – ‘Why should any of you consider it incred‐ible that God raises the dead?’ (v 8).

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page FourteenNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Fourteen

ACTS ACTS –– A JOURNEY TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTHA JOURNEY TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH –– DAVID COOKDAVID COOK

How To Know If You Are Saved ACTS 26.

FORREFLECTION:All along the way, Paul’s obe‐dience to his calling wascostly (Acts 26.16–18).He is compelled by the loveof Christ (2 Corinthians5.14,15). Are you compelledin this way? Does your obe‐dience cost you?

Content taken from 'ACTS –To The Ends Of The Earth' by David Cook, published by 10Publishing, used with permission.

1 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 3 . 4 - 81 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 3 . 4 - 8L ove I s . . .L ove I s . . .

Words Of Wisdom:

SEEN ON FACEBOOK:

‘Burridgedraws onhis ownexperi-ence toencourageus to learnfrom avariety ofChristiantraditionshowto keepourspiritual life anddisciplinesfresh.’

BOOKS WORTH READINGBOOKS WORTH READING

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page FifteenNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Fifteen

FOUR MINISTRIES ONE JESUS: Exploring Your VocationWith The Four Gospels, Richard A. Burridge, London:SPCK, 2017. ISBN 978-0-281-07597-3.Richard Burridge is Dean of King’s College London, where he is also Profes‐sor of Biblical Interpretation. His book, What Are The Gospels? (Cambridge Uni‐versity Press, 1992) revolutionised Gospel studies, leading to the widespreadrecognition that they are best viewed under the genre of ‘biography’. His otherimpressive books are Imitating Jesus (Eerdmans, 2007) and Four Gospels, OneJesus (SPCK, 2013). He has an engaging way of writing that feeds the mind andwarms the heart at the same time.In the present volume Burridge shows how each of the four Gospels depictsan essential aspect of true ministry, as it pictures the person and work of Jesusfrom a different angle. The book started as talks for Anglican ordinands, but ithas much to say to those training for any Christian denomination. Each Gospelpresents a distinctive (though mutually compatible) portrait of Christ, and dif‐ferent understandings of Jesus’ vocation and mission.Matthew portrays Jesus as the great teacher, and so it is no exaggeration tosay that teaching the flock forms the essential foundation for any fruitful andfaithful form of Christian ministry. Luke focuses on Jesus’ concern for the poorand vulnerable, so that pastoral care is the heartbeat of all true ministry what‐ever its particular expression. Mark shows the suffering and rejection enduredby Jesus in fulfilling His ministry, and those who follow Jesus will have to shoul‐der many burdens and courageously face difficulties. Ministry is not for the softor faint‐hearted. John has a profound grasp of the divine dimension to the personand work of Christ, and this sets a pattern where prayer connects all ministryto His divine life.The Sermon On The Mount (Matthew 5-7) establishes Jesus as a teacher likeMoses, but indeed far greater than Moses, and there are five large slabs of teach‐ing that together are intended to remind us of the five‐book Pentateuch. A lifeteaching God’s truth requires a life committed to ongoing study and contempla‐tion of God’s written Word, for the day we stop studying and learning is the daywe cease to be effective teachers and lose our relevance. Of course, you cannotstudy all week and only appear in public for an hour on Sunday morning. Muchteaching will (and should) take place out of the pulpit, making use of ‘chance’encounters and everyday opportunities.Luke’s portrait of Jesus focuses on His ministry to the marginalised, startingwith the visit of humble shepherds to the infant Jesus. This has a wealth of ap‐plications for the contemporary ministry of pastoral care. What does the minis‐ter do when people come asking for money? How do you handle callers at theparsonage door? How do you protect yourself and your family from being over‐whelmed by the urgent and legitimate needs of others? Luke’s focus on Jesus atprayer provides a clue on how to survive the sometimes‐crushing demands ofpastoral ministry. Burridge also counsels those in ministry to attend to self‐care,accountability and regular personal development. Burridge’s sage advice, drawnfrom many years of pastoral experience, is well worth pondering.Mark’s Gospel shows that following the suffering Messiah may lead to agonyand a cross, for the shadow of the cross falls across the whole ministry of Jesusas depicted by Mark. His life was a continual crucifixion (Calvin). Those in Chris‐tian ministry should not then be shocked when they find themselves exhausted,forgotten and forsaken. Like Jesus, those ministering in His name are on thefrontline in the cosmic struggle with evil. (Continued on p.16)

ALL THINGS MADE NEW, John Flavel, Selected By Lewis Allen,Edinburgh, Banner Of Truth, 2017.This book is a selection of sermons and portions by Lewis Allen from the worksof John Flavel. The book’s aim is to introduce the reader to Flavel’s vision: ‘He believedthat the Gospel shapes every thought, every feeling, every ambition, emotion, desire,success, tragedy and joy. Christ makes all things new for the believer, and teaches usto follow Him with confidence, until that day when He truly renews all things.’ Thisbook teaches us much about Flavel (c.1627–1691) who was an English Presbyterianclergyman, Puritan, and author.First, it tells us that Flavel was a preacher of Christ. From beginning to end, Flavel centres on Christ.In the first section, he deals with John 3.16, expounding and magnifying the love of God to sinners in thegiving of the greatest gift – His Son. Flavel then seeks to instruct us concerning the natures of Christ, Hishumiliation and His reign over all things. In all of these sermons, Flavel extols the excellencies and sweet‐ness of Christ. Flavel writes: ‘For God to bestow the mercy of mercies, the most precious thing in Heavenand Earth, upon poor sinners; and, as great, as lovely, as excellent as His Son was, yet not to account Himtoo good to bestow upon us – what manner of love is this!’Secondly, Flavel was an evangelistic preacher who had a concern for men’s souls. Contrary to whatmany think about the Puritans, they were intensely evangelistic and had a passion to see others saved.This is no less true of Flavel. In the second section of this book, he shows us the trinitarian design andactivity in conversion. Upon conversion, every believer has union with Christ – and Flavel continues toshow the reader the nature of this union, the blessings which flow from it, and the true liberty whichcomes from being in Christ. ‘There is an everlasting bond between Christ and the believer. It is beyondall other unions in the world: death dissolves the dear union between husband and wife, friend andfriend, and even between soul and body, but not between Christ and the soul … How matchless and sin‐gular is the glory of being a member of Christ! And yet all the saints enjoy such an honour …’Thirdly, Flavel was concerned with the everyday lives of his people. Throughout all his sermons,Flavel applies the truths of God’s Word. But in this next section, each sermon focusses on living the Chris‐tian life. The first is a sermon on guarding the heart – being careful that we deal with any indwelling sin,and relying on God’s grace to grow godly desires within us. Flavel knew that we all struggle with hard‐ships – some more than others – and his sermons seek to encourage us all. He next exhorts us to trustGod in tough times, for it is God’s power that is always at work for us, and His hand is always at workwithin us. Flavel particularly emphasises that it is our duty to look for and then be thankful for God’sprovidential care in our lives – so that it may honour Him, and grow our gratitude for His care. How arewe to do that? Flavel shows us how.Lastly, Flavel was concerned that God’s Word be applied specifically to the church context. Flaveladdresses Gospel unity – a unity that isn’t optional, but one that is commanded by God, gives a good wit‐ness to the world, and brings with it many blessings. He then gives practical directions for how to pursuethis unity and to heal any divisions in the church. Flavel’s last sermon is a charge for Gospel ministers.God has called men to feed His sheep, and they must be found faithful. Flavel gives some sound counselfor how ministers can have faithful and wise ministries, despite hardships. ‘Brothers, we have served agood Master, and have cause to admire His care over us, and bounty to us, whatever we have suffered.Oh, how He has been a good God to us!’Lewis Allen has put together a good collection of John Flavel’s sermons and works. Read this bookand see a man who was captivated by a Saviour who loves His people, and remakes His people – who in‐deed makes all things new. – Joshua Parker

BOOKS WORTH READINGBOOKS WORTH READING

NEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page SixteenNEW LIFE – 15 February 2018 – Page Sixteen

(Continued from p.15) John’s Gospel shows us that Jesus puts us in touch with God, and we are invitedto share in the life of the Triune God through the Spirit. Burridge does not, however, slight the importanceof the routines of quiet reflection, prayer and study, and he urges those in ministry not to let busynesscrowd these out. He draws on his own experience to encourage us to learn from a variety of Christiantraditions how to keep our spiritual life and disciplines fresh. Despite this book being very Anglican, thisnon‐Anglican reviewer found it immensely fascinating and helpful at so many points. – Greg Goswell