During the week the Northern Rivers Presbytery hosted a MTS info night at Park Ave. After a difficult and complicated meeting for the Presbytery in the morning, it was such a refreshing night and an incredible way to finish the day.
What made it so incredible? Really, it was just hearing from Christian leaders around the country reminding us of the stunning beauty of grace, the precious promise from the Lord Jesus that he will never leave us, and that now is the time to proclaim salvation.
I think my favourite part of the night was an interview with Luke T, a former ministry apprentice at SCPC. We directed five questions to him, none of which he knew or had prepared for! And what came shining through was that here was someone entirely captivated by the gospel and urgent, eager, desperate to see it go out. The passion, emotion and resolve reminded me of something Martyn Lloyd-Jones (the famous London-based preacher) said regarding our engagement of the gospel:
Do we believe it? Have we been gripped and humbled by it, are we lost in wonder, love and praise?
My prayer is that those that participated in the night will have sensed the gospel warmth and fire in the room, and that it might stir some to consider taking the next step to serve the Lord Jesus. Please pray for the two possible apprenticeships for 2024 at SCPC, that the time they had with Russ S (the National Training Director of MTS) may have been helpful in clarifying what an apprenticeship may look like for them. If you would like to know more about MTS and its work nationally you can go to www.mts.com.au
Finally, the passage we landed in last night was Matthew 28, a familiar one for many. I think my ‘take home’ was that the last verse of the chapter doesn’t actually record Jesus’ ascension, but rather his presence with us. Therefore, as we go and make disciples in the midst of our doubts, may we remember we are not alone, Christ is with us.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them
and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I
am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
SP
