A Life with Purpose: Perth Men's Convention 2007 Saturday 8 September 2007, 8.30am to 4.30pm

Few things are more frustrating than pointless work and toil. Why do we suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, what is the purpose to our lives? Is there any meaning? Millions of people go through life without ever knowing the purpose; living a meaningless existence. We go to work, we strive to generate wealth, build our material possessions, gain popularity, but rarely question why?

God’s word shows us the meaning to our otherwise seemingly meaningless existence; the 2007 Perth Men’s Convention, will examine the purpose of life as described in the book of Ecclesiastes. The book of Ecclesiastes is profoundly relevant to all who seriously want to know why we live, work, rest, and do everything "under the sun". Join us for a challenging day of exploring a Life with Purpose.

Speaker: Al Stewart Al Stewart is a mission minded man who has been involved in telling people about God’s wisdom in Jesus for over 20 years. He has been the CEO of "Youthworks" in Sydney; an organisation devoted to helping young people come to know God's purpose for them in Christ and to live for him. Al is married with four adult and teenage children. He has a passion for bringing the gospel to men and seeing Christian men build up in their faith. Ecclesiastes is a book that Al loves dearly and is looking forward to teaching and applying it to the men of Perth in September. If you would like to hear some of Al's teaching, check out five of his recent Bible studies available for download from the Perth Men's Convention website

http://ccowa.org/lll/l1.nsf/p?open&l1=Event_pmc2007

Speaker:
Al Stewart
When:
Saturday 8 September 2007, 8.30am to 4.30pm
Where:
Swan Christian College 381 Great Northern Highway Middle Swan
Cost:
$40.00 / $35.00 / $10.00

Godly Dead Guys: More than the Abolition of Slavery

In William Wilberforce's diary, his account of April 21, 1803, states:
" A few of us met together at Mr Hardcastle's counting house, at a later hour than suited city habits out of regard for my convenience, and yet on so dark a morning that we discussed by candle-light, while we resolved upon the establishment of the Bible Society."

Originally sought out for counsel and advice as an influential Christian leader, Wilberforce joined those whose aim it was to form an organisation dedicated to printing and distributing the Bible -- in foreign languages as well as English -- to readers who would otherwise go without. Along with other Christian anti-slavery advocates and social reformers such as Granville Sharp and Zachary Macaulay, Wilberforce believed in making the Bible available across society including to the poor.

In a letter written on May 1, 1804, he said "The Scriptures, prayer, with humble reliance on our Redeemer and on the aids of His promised Spirit -- these are the sure means of progress."

The next day, he spoke at the first General Meeting of the Bible Society. He is listed as one of the first Committee members appointed that day and in July of the following year (1805) he was appointed a Vice-President of the Bible Society.

The Bible Society became the largest of the 8 great societies inspired and organised by evangelical Christians associated with the Clapham era and reform movements.

See the Movie "Amazing Grace" portraying William Wilberforces involvement in the Abolition of Slavery from the British Empire

The Good News of Good News week

A search of the idea of “Good news” in the bible quickly uncovers a rich treasure hoard of God’s promises. The Old Testament reminds us that God promised to Abraham to bring blessing to all the nations through his descendants, the promise is good news for the nations who turn to God. As the history of Israel unfolds the promise is sharpened to teach us that the Good news will be seen in the coming of God’s king who will establish the kingdom of God forever. The prophets anticipated the good news is a promise for the future.

This Old Testament backdrop helps us to understand with richness the angel’s good news to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. .” The content of the Good news is a person.

As Jesus carries out his public ministry he assures John the Baptist that he is the Servant of God and replies “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” The priority of Jesus ministry is to proclaim the good news this is accompanied by wonders which bear witness to his claim.

The early church is described, day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. This good news is for all the nations. The Ethiopian official asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Peter declared to gentiles “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

God chose Paul to bring the good news about Jesus to the nations, and so Paul declares to the Galatians “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. Or Paul brings the good news to the thinkers of Athens, some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

So the Good news about Jesus spread from place top place, and generation to generation. Paul puts the challenge to us in this generation in this city.

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

In Good News Week: Real Life we have a season of taking the opportunities to share the Good news about Jesus with our friends and family and neighbours in our community and networks through hospitality events. It is not the only time we do this but it is a concentrated time.

See you there

GP

Minute 4 Mission

Pete is one of our Mission Partners. Eight months ago Pete went to the Middle East. He senses God's call to spend his life in the Middle East seeking to build bridges with Muslim people. He is presently learning Arabic, is living alone and is finding his life very restricted. He has had three bouts in hospital for digestive problems and can't shake off a persistent cough. He has struggled to get his computer up and running so his communications with us have been erratic.

He has just returned from a month in Thailand and loved having some annual leave. A long conversation by phone with him recently showed that he was nevertheless in good heart although he confesses to feeling very lonely. He is very diligent in his Arabic studies but asks us to pray that he will find one or two other people to study with him in a group: the cost of one-on-one language teaching is just too much for his budget. He also asks us to pray that he will find a flatmate, preferably an Arab, so that he can maximise his opportunities of getting to know the culture. Pete is isolated. He said he had a very good Norwegian friend but he left last week. He said that a lot of people come and go and it is hard to form good friendships.

With the Muslim world in such ferment, it is so very timely that Pete is there he warrants our daily prayers. pray for him now!

Gwenyth & Blodwyn

Real Life: GNW

A Refugee Update

When the boat people came to Australia from the year 2000 some of them were just teenagers who had escaped great trauma and were without any family support. Our St Matthew's Refugee Support Group has been involved in caring for many of these and I would like to tell you good news stories of some of these resilient young people who have battled to make good.

There is Nasreen an Afghan teenage girl who came with little schooling. Her family was welcomed by us to Barnacle House. After 6 years she is now doing TEE at Mercedes and is vice-chairman of her debating team. She's got a part time job as a check-out chick and her family are now all citizens, and buying their own home

One of our young people we cared for at Lakeside and who had had to flee from Iran as a university student, is now doing his Masters in Graphic Art and Design.

One of our first Lakeside boys was only 16. He has now set up home in Clarkson, having brought out his orphan cousin and sister and his wife betrothed from the age of 11, and he provides for them working as a tiler.

A specially heartening story concerns a Columbian couple Gustavo and Claudia who received their citizenship last month. They were on bridging visas for six years while their case went right up to the full bench of the Federal Court. After yet another year, they received their permanent visa. They both had been petroleum engineers and they are now both working back in their own field. Their little daughter Valentina is at school and facing a bright future.

Another young man, Arif, was also at Lakeside in our first group. He finally decided to leave Islam and became a Catholic Christian. He was able to bring his family out to join him. They are doing well at school and his wife is in her second year of nursing.

We have heard some good stories. There are also the sad ones of singles and families still on bridging visas with no work rights, no medicare, and who have to be totally supported financially and emotionally by CARAD. This costs CARAD about $10,000 per month and until their cases are finalised they cannot move forward in their lives. These families and singles are highly stressed and need a lot of patient care and love. Michelle Fleay in our congregation is now treasurer of CARAD. You can ask her how she worries over our finances stretching to help these vulnerable people.

Pray for all those who work tirelessly in CARAD to care for such as these..

Gwenyth Graham

Truth, Real Life, and Good News Week

As we reflect on sharing the good news with people in our networks the Bible urges us to see that truth and life go together. How we live amongst our friends gives us permission to share our lives, tell our stories, and speak of our Saviour. The New Testament is full of practical exhortations and observations to encourage us in this.
Jesus uses the imagery of salt and light to describe the function the people of God have in their local community, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” God’s people by their lives ought to glorify their Father in heaven.
Paul picks up the light imagery as he urges the Philippians, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” Truth and life come together in God’s people. He also applies the salt imagery as he exhorts the Colossians, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Again truth and life come together in that our lives bear witness to the words we long to speak.
Peter encourages Christians in difficult places, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” The godly life and a willingness to share the truth go hand in hand.
Even slaves are encouraged to be salt and light in their service to their masters. So Paul urges Titus, “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.” From this specific example we see the godly life makes the teaching of our saviour attractive. How do you think this principle works for employees?
As Good News Week: Real Life in August gives us a focussed opportunity to hold out the word of life to our friends. We need take opportunities in the next few weeks to share our lives with our friends, so our godly lives, seasoned with salt, shining like stars give us an opportunity to hold out the Word of life to our friends.
Go to it !

GP