G’day church family it’s Mitch here, Senior Pastor of Dalby Presbyterian.
I want to get in touch with you regularly over these next few weeks just to talk to you about how it is we’re going to follow Jesus together at this time in our lives.
I want to start today by talking to you about some words from Philippians. In Philippians chapter the apostle Paul is in self isolation. well, not self isolation but forced isolation. Let me read to you some words that he says:
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
See Paul is in self isolation, he’s stuck under house arrest most likely. But he did what he could to grow the kingdom, share the message of Jesus.
He goes on…
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
For my deliverance. What does he mean by that?
When he says deliverance, is he thinking my lifer will be saved? I’ll eventually get out of prison?
Actually that’s not what he means. Here’s what he goes on to say:
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
His deliverance is persevering in Jesus. His deliverance is being carried in Jesus for the rest of his life.
Not about living or dying, but about living for the kingdom and dying in the kingdom.
The tragedy is not just death, it’s death without Jesus.
Listen, we’ve got a message of hope here. Of peace, of certainty. A message of a powerful and loving God who has been through pandemics before and can lead people to Christ in this one.
Let’s be praying to our Lord to use this moment to bring people out of judgement and to lead people into Christ’s love and forgiveness.
We’ll be living as his people differently over the coming months and here’s some practical stuff to keep you updated on:
- Online Growth Groups using Zoom – With how to instructions now available via dpc.cc
2. Streaming our Older Adult’s ministry into Ningana and Karingal
3. Elders, Staff and Growth Group leaders contacting you as we set people up in smaller sub-groups so we can more easily love one another
4. New policies for keeping kids safe as we move to use more online communication to do ministry with our youth as we help them to grow and go at this time
5. Staff available to come to you and help you set up to receive services online
6. Encouragement Invite your friends and neighbours to join our Sunday services online at dpc.cc
For our Sunday services and other online content, we want you to be part of it.
Filming simple interviews, filming you and your household doing bible reading, coping with staying indoors more, finding out how you are reaching out with the gospel to others. Please prayerfully consider this and get in touch to be part of it. We’ll also be in touch with you.
Soon you’ll get a letter in your mailbox about our finances, please get in touch if you don’t receive it by then end of next week.
Stay up to date with everything via our Facebook page or our website at dpc.cc.
Let me leave you with Philippians 1:27
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.