OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS (May 20, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan reflect on a life choice …

I (Robert) have a thing about steam trains!

My dad was an engineer – the official title for locomotive drivers in those yesterdays of steam trains.

I’ll never forget the day he took me – just a ‘little fellow’ in short pants – down to the local, large city rail station and explained about the, to me, ‘huge monster’ that was technically called the engine. And then being lifted up onto the platform, his working domain. What a thrill, and such excitement for a small boy.

R&M trainDad explained the controls, how the engine operated. It was a cold morning but the heat from the blazing firebox quickly warmed physically – my heart was already on fire with curiosity. I had stared at the huge wheels, now I gazed at the control levers, so much bigger than little me, so heavy looking, and back at the tons of coal in the tender. I was elated to be on that platform. (more…)

BURIAL OR CREMATION – WHICH IS RIGHT? (May 20, 2016)

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, considers a touchy (to some) choice…

What a sombre topic!

I have just returned from a funeral and listened again to the familiar scriptural words that are frequently quoted at a Christian funeral.

During the service I thought of a question I was asked a few weeks ago about the rightness of burial over cremation. Eventually we will all be confronted by this choice concerning loved ones.

Arguments in favour of burial
There are many Christians who would adamantly assert that burial is unquestionably the correct way to dispose of a body. (more…)

THEBUZZ (May 15, 2016)

GLEANINGS:

  • PENNSYLVANIA – spiritual boldness
  • USA – Atheists don’t have no songs!
  • HIGHTON, Vic, Australia – Different kind of Pentecost Sunday emphasis
  • UK – London’s first Muslim Mayor

___________________________________________________________________________

PENNSYLVANIA
Boldness for ministry

 Hope

Author Hope Flinchbaugh shares how the Holy Spirit changed ministries …

In the book of Acts we read how the Holy Spirit came in wonderful power and filled his people with boldness – enabling them to minister the gospel ‘with signs following.’

  • Acts 4:31 – ‘After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled   with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.’
  • Acts 9:28 – ‘So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.’
  • Acts 14:3 – ‘So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.’

(more…)

PRIZED PENTECOST PROTECTION (May 14, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)
Robert and Maureen McQuillan share some important reminders…

Pentecost Sunday tomorrow!

Many churches, both Pentecostal and mainstream, will be remembering, even celebrating that Acts 2 Pentecost when Jesus’ promise of being ‘equipped with power from on high’ (Luke 24:49 Mge) by the Holy Spirit was fulfilled.

The all-powerful third person in the Trinity fell in an incredible way at Pentecost, releasing the original church in spontaneous praise and worship glossolalia (tongues speaking) and immediate evangelism.

Sadly, some people still foolishly believe this free gift and the 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 nine supernatural gifts of the Spirit ceased (Theology calls this ‘cessationism’). (more…)

THE HARVEST THAT’S CONTINUED FOR OVER 2000 YEARS (May 12, 2016)

Mark Ellis 2016Mark Ellis recounts good news …

Read Acts 2! Peter’s first sermon came at such an exciting moment in church history, with the filling or baptism of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

120 of Jesus’ followers at a prayer gathering were filled with the Spirit and began speaking in tongues – unknown to them – but were miraculously the known languages of many of the Jewish pilgrims visiting Jerusalem for the feast.

Pentecost was a harvest festival, when the Jewish people presented to God the firstfruits of their wheat harvest (Exodus 34:22). And there were thousands of these pilgrims in Jerusalem from all over the Mediterranean region and Asia Minor. (more…)

THE INDISPENSABLE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (May 11, 2016)

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, highlights the primary purpose of Pentecost.

The first Christian Pentecost that took place 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a pivotal event in the life of the church. It celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church to enable it to accomplish the mission given to it by Jesus.

Yet Christians have often either failed to recognise its essential importance or have swung to the other extreme by misinterpreting and overemphasising its significance.

Let’s consider the biblical basis of the importance of Pentecost for the church today.

1. The promise of Pentecost
Pentecost had always been part of God’s plan for the world. It was not intended to be a surplus add-on event to the Christian faith to make it more exciting! From the beginning it was central to God’s grand plan for world redemption. (more…)

THEBUZZ (May 11, 2016)

GLEANINGS:

  • USA – Falling plates
  • USA – Crazy church things
  • NEW ZEALAND – Revival prophecies impossible or possible today?
  • NORTH KOREA – Trusting God and surveying torture
    _    ______________________________________________________________________________

USA
Falling plates smash and cannot be restored!

 The reality of sin is that it smashes us into a million pieces and only Jesus can restore us, putting the broken pieces back together again.

Falling Plates

Falling Plates, the work of Howard Crutsinger and John Strong, is a brilliant short film about life, death and love of a Saviour. With an artistic approach, it uses so many images to show people what the gospel looks like rather just preaching. (more…)

LIVING THE SPIRIT-CENTRED CREATIVE LIFE (May 9, 2016)

Brian Bell 2016Brian Bell considers Paul’s guidance in Galatians …

Perhaps one of the more difficult issues in life to deal with is that of relationships. Just not human ones but what about our Jesus-centred relationship?

In Galatians 5 Paul highlighted the differences between the ‘fruit’ of living in the flesh and the Spirit. So in chapter 6 he continues that theme in terms of application.

A life of new traits
These first three verses of Galatians 6 relate to our speech and attitude. We need to remind ourselves that Paul is not speaking to people who don’t know the Lord; rather to fellow believers – even though we may regard the ‘church’ as being in its infancy at the time. (more…)

WHEN IS MISSIONS NOT REALLY MISSIONS? (May 9, 2016)

Erica GraceErica Grace, ex-missionary to South America, cuts to the chase!

I find looking at churches’ bulletin boards and websites rather interesting, don’t you?

It’s quirky, I know, but I feel CBBs/websites say a lot about the church. If the board is full of out-of-date events and has been gathering dust for a long time, it tells me no one has captured the vision of this valuable tool. It can be the same with some church websites!

On the other hand I’ve seen some masterpieces too!

Missions involvement
But one thing I’m always looking for is their missions’ involvement. What is this church involved in outside their own building? (more…)

‘I AM – WITH YOU’ ASSURED THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE!

Maureen McQuillan(May 3, 2015) Maureen McQuillan recalls a memorable believers’ water baptism service:

Ali, a converted Muslim from Iran, had expressed his desire to follow his Saviour Jesus through the waters of baptism.

A humble and most sincere man who loves Jesus and doesn’t hesitate to share his faith in Christ, he had his wish fulfilled in a heart-touching baptism service at  last month at the Highton campus of Moolap and Barrabool Hills Baptist Church, Geelong, Victoria, last March.

The service meaningfully centred on Ali’s baptism and quite a few of his converted Muslim friends from Melbourne and Hoppers Crossing attended to celebrate the occasion. Moein, a delightful young Iranian friend I know, was among the visitors and kindly supplied photos for this article.

Barrabool Baptist’s teaching pastor Matt Jacoby conducted the baptismal segment along with Reza – who only likes to known as ‘a servant of Jesus.’ Matt Jacoby highlighted the meaning of adult believers’ water baptism and Reza interpreted for Ali as he shared his testimony in Farsi. (more…)