To be enabled to form a clear, consistent, and comprehensive judgment of the truths revealed in the Scripture, is a great privilege; But they who possess it are exposed to the temptation of thinking too highly of themselves, and too meanly of others, especially of those who not only refuse to adopt their sentiments, but venture to oppose them. We see few controversial writings, however excellent in other respects, but are tinctured with this spirit of self-superiority; and they who are not called to this service (of writing), if they are attentive to what passes in their hearts, may feel it working within them, upon a thousand occasions; though so far as it prevails, it brings forcibly home to ourselves the charge of ignorance and inconsistence, which we are so ready to fix upon our opponents. I know nothing as a means more likely to correct this evil, than a serious consideration of the amazing difference between our acquired judgment, and our actual experience: or, in other words, How Little Influence Our Knowledge and Judgment Have upon Our Own Conduct. This may confirm to us the truth and propriety of the apostle’s observation, “If any man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” Not that we are bound to be insensible that the Lord has taught us what we were once ignorant of; nor is it possible that we should be so; yet because, if we estimate our knowledge by its effects, and value it no farther than it is experimental and operative (which is the proper standard whereby to try it) we shall find it so faint and feeble as hardly to deserve the name.
How firmly, for instance, are we persuaded, that God is omnipresent! Great as the difficulties may be which attend our conceptions of this point, the truth itself is controverted by few. It is generally acknowledged by unawakened persons and I may add, too frequently known even by believers, as if they knew it not. If the eyes of the Lord are in every place, how strong a guard should this thought be upon the conduct of those who profess to hear him! We know how we are often affected when in the presence of a fellow-worm; if he is one on whom we depend, or who is considerably our superior in life, how careful we are to compose our behaviour, and to avoid whatever might be deemed improper or offensive! Is it not strange that those who have taken their ideas of the divine majesty, holiness and purity, from the Scriptures, and are not wholly insensible of their inexpressible obligations to regulate all they say or do by his precepts, should upon many occasions he betrayed into improprieties of behaviour from which the presence of a nobleman, or prince, would have effectually restrained them, yes, sometimes perhaps even the presence of a child? Even in the exercise of prayer, by which we profess to draw near the Lord, the consideration that his eye is upon us has little power to engage our attention, or prevent our thoughts from wandering like the fool’s eye, to the ends of the earth. What should we think of a person, who, being admitted into the king’s presence, upon business of the greatest importance, should break off in the midst of his address, to pursue a butterfly? Could such an instance of weakness be met with, it would be but a faint emblem of the inconsistencies which they who are acquainted with their own hearts, can often charge themselves with in prayer. They are not wholly ignorant in what a frame of spirit it becomes a needy dependent sinner to approach that God, before whom the angels are represented as veiling their faces; yet, in defiance of their better judgment, their attention is diverted from him with whom they have to do, to the merest trifles. They are not able to realize that presence with which they believe themselves to be surrounded, but speak as if they were speaking into the air. Further, if our sense that God is always present was in any good measure answerable to the conviction of our judgment, would it not be an effectual preservative from the many importunate though groundless fears with which we are harassed! He says, “Fear not, I am with you.” -he promises to be a shield and a guard to those who put their trust in him, yet though we profess to believe his word, and to hope that he is our protector, we seldom think ourselves safe, even in the path of duty, a moment longer than danger is kept out of our view. Little reason have we to value ourselves upon our knowledge of this indisputable truth, when it has no more effective and habitual influence upon our conduct. The doctrine of God’s sovereignty also, though not so generally owned as the former, is no less fully assented to by those who are called Calvinists. We zealously contend for this point in our debates with the Arminians; and are ready to wonder that any should he hardy enough to dispute the Creator’s right to do what he will with his own. While we are only engaged in defense of the election of grace, and have a comfortable hope that we are ourselves of that number, we seem so convinced, by the arguments the Scripture affords us in support of the truth, that we can hardly forbear charging our adversaries with perverse obstinacy and pride, for opposing it. Undoubtedly the ground of this opposition lies in the pride of the human heart, but this evil principle is not confined to any party, and occasions frequently arise, when they who contend for the divine sovereignty are little more practically Influenced by it than their opponents. This humiliating doctrine concludes as strongly for submission to the will of God, under every circumstance of life, as it does for our acquiescing in his purpose to have mercy. But, alas! how often do we find ourselves utterly unable to apply it, so as to reconcile our spirits to those afflictions which he is pleased to allot us. So far as we are enabled to say, when we are exercised with poverty, or heavy losses or crosses. “I was dumb and opened not my mouth, because you did it.” -so far, and no farther, are we truly convinced, that God has a sovereign right to dispose of us and all our concernments as he pleases. How often, and how justly at such seasons, might the argument we offer to others, as sufficient to silence all their objections be retorted upon ourselves, “Nay but O man, who are you that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say unto him that formed it, Why have you made me thus?” A plain proof that our knowledge is more notional than experimental. What an inconsistency, that while we think God is just and righteous in withholding from others the things which pertain to their everlasting peace, we should find it so hard to submit to his dispensations to ourselves in matters of unspeakably less importance!
But the Lords Appointments, to Those Who Fear Him, Are Not Only Sovereign, but Wise and Gracious. He has connected their good with his own glory, and is engaged by promise, to make all things work together for their advantage. He Chooses for His People Better than They Could Choose for Themselves; if they are in heaviness,  there is a needs-be for it, and he withholds nothing from them but what upon the whole it is better they should be without. Thus the Scriptures teach, and thus we profess to believe. Furnished with these principles, we are at no loss to suggest motives of patience and consolation to our brethren that are afflicted; we can assure them, without hesitation, that if they are interested in the promises, their concerns are in safe hands; that the things which at present are not joyous but grievous, shall in due season yield the peaceful fruits of righteousness, and that their trials are as certainly mercies as their comforts. We can prove to them, from the history of Joseph. David, Job, and other instances recorded in Scriptures, that, notwithstanding any present dark appearances, it shall certainly be well with the righteous; that God can and will make crooked things straight; and that he often produces the greatest good from those events which we are apt to look upon as Evil. From Hence We Can Infer, Not Only the Sinfulness, but the Folly of Finding Fault with Any of His Dispensations. We can tell them, that at the worst the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed; and that therefore, under the greatest pressures, they should so weep as those who expect in a little time to have all their tears wiped away. But when the case is our own, when we are troubled on every side. Or if touched in the tenderest part, how difficult it is to feel the force of these reasonings, though we know they are true to a demonstration! Then, unless we are endued with fresh strength from on high, we are as liable to complain and despond as if we thought our afflictions sprang out of the ground, and the Lord had forgotten to be gracious.
I might proceed to show the difference between our judgment when most enlightened, and our actual experience, with respect to every spiritual truth. We know there is no proportion between time and eternity, between God and the creature, the favor of the Lord and the favor or the frowns of men; and yet often, when these things are brought into close competition, we are sorely put to it to keep steadfast in the path of duty; no without new supplies of grace, we should certainly fail in the time of trial, and our knowledge would have no other effect than to render our guilt more inexcusable. We seem to be sure that we are weak, sinful, fallible creatures, as we are that we exist and yet we are prone to act as if we were wise and good. In a word, we cannot deny that a great part of our knowledge is, as I have described it, like the light of the moon- destitute of heat and influence; and yet we can hardly help thinking of ourselves too highly upon the account of it.
May we not say with the Psalmist, “Lord, what is man!” yes, what an enigma! What a poor inconsistent creature is a believer! He knows the Lord; he knows himself. His understanding is enlightened to apprehend and contemplate the great mysteries of the gospel. He has sound ideas of the evil of sin, the vanity of the world, the beauties of holiness, and the nature of true happiness. He was once “darkness, but now he is light in the Lord.” He has access to God by Jesus Christ; to whom he is united, and in whom he lives by faith. While the principles be has received are enlivened by the agency of the Holy Spirit, he can do all things. He is humble, gentle, patient, watchful, faithful. He rejoices in afflictions, triumphs over temptations, lives upon the foretastes of eternal glory, and counts not his life dear, so he may glorify God his Savior, and finish his course with joy. But his strength is not his own; he is absolutely dependent, and is still encompassed with infirmities, and burdened with a depraved nature. If the Lord withdraws his power, he becomes weak as another man, and drops as a stone sinks to the earth by its own weight. His inherent knowledge may be compared to the windows of a house, which can transmit the light, but cannot retain it. Without renewed and continual communications from the Spirit of grace, he is unable to withstand the smallest temptation, to endure the slightest trial, to perform the least service in a due manner, or even to think a good thought. He knows this, and yet he too often forgets it. But the Lord reminds him of it frequently, by suspending that assistance without which he can do nothing. Then he feels what he is, and is easily prevailed upon to act in contradiction to his better judgment. This repeated experience of his own weakness teaches him by degrees where his strength lies: that it is not in any thing he has already attained, or can call his own, but the grace, power, and faithfulness of his Savior. He learns to cease from his own understanding, to be ashamed of his best endeavors, to abhor himself in dust and ashes, and to glory only in the Lord.
From hence we may observe, That Believers Who Have Most Knowledge, Are Not Therefore Necessarily the Most Spiritual. Some may and do walk more honorably and more comfortably with two talents, than others with five. He who experimentally knows his own weakness, and depends simply upon the Lord, will surely thrive, though his acquired attainments and abilities may be but small; and he who has the greatest gifts, the clearest judgment, and the most extensive knowledge, if he indulges high thoughts of his advantages, is in imminent danger of mistaking, and falling at every step; for the Lord will allow none whom he loves to boast in themselves. He will guide the meek with his eyes, and fill the hungry with good things; but the rich he sends empty away. It is an invariable maxim in his kingdom, that whosoever exalts himself, shall be abased; but he that humbles himself, shall be exalted.

FAITH EVANGELISM STRATEGIES THAT WILL WORK IN ANY CHURCH

FAITH is a resource to help you create a culture of evangelism in your church.

Teaching FAITH to your church is easy because FAITH is

• Short—takes only 12 sessions to complete

• Flexible—works in Sunday School, Bible studies, and small groups

• Conversational—makes sharing the gospel more natural

• Cultural—builds disciples who train others to share

Spark Evangelism Through Your Church!

FAITH Evangelism Equipper Training.

These days provide us God size opportunities to prepare ourselves for carrying out the Great Commission. You can be

equipped to go and teach others.

Our desire is to provide you with the tools for you to be prepared to go wherever God sends you to teach, tell, and mobilize people to go, tell, and teach all the things of Jesus.

Where Is FAITH?

Where Is FAITH?

Belmont Baptist Church, just off the Pacific Highway,

Thursday October 16th 9:30 am –4:00pm

And 17th 9:30am-12

Port Macquarrie Baptist Church Saturday October 18th 1-5 pm

and

Kogarah Bay Congregational Church,

Tuesday October 21st 1 pm –5:00pm

And workers session 7-9pm

COST:FREE

Barry Cosper is the FAITH Trainer coming from Alabama for these special training the trainer sessions.

Your church can be using FAITH for as little as $11 per trainee.

FAITH EVANGELISM STRATEGIES THAT WILL WORK IN ANY CHURCH

FAITH is a resource to help you create a culture of evangelism in your church.

Teaching FAITH to your church is easy because FAITH is

• Short—takes only 12 sessions to complete

• Flexible—works in Sunday School, Bible studies, and small groups

• Conversational—makes sharing the gospel more natural

• Cultural—builds disciples who train others to share

Spark Evangelism Through Your Church!

FAITH Evangelism Equipper Training.

These days provide us God size opportunities to prepare ourselves for carrying out the Great Commission. You can be

equipped to go and teach others.

Our desire is to provide you with the tools for you to be prepared to go wherever God sends you to teach, tell, and mobilize people to go, tell, and teach all the things of Jesus.

What Is FAITH?

F Is for Forgiveness Romans 3:23

A Is For Available john 3:16

I Is For Impossible Ephesians 2:8,8

T Is for Turn Luke 13:3

H Is for Heaven John 14:1-3

How? For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Who Is FAITH?

FAITH is an important programme utilised by more than 10,000 churches worldwide.

Barry Cosper, our instructor comes to us from Alabama and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Where Is FAITH?

Belmont Baptist Church, just off the Pacific Highway,

Thursday October 16th 9:30 am –4:00pm

And 17th 9:30am-12.

COST:FREE

Registration:  ring 49278378

SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE CONFERENCE

Thursday February 14th  at 2 pm and  then again at

7 pm at the Newcastle  Baptist Tabernacle 

Don’t miss this tremendous opportunity to hear acclaimed speaker Ann Cretin from the Southern Baptist Convention’s Lifeway organisation.

Ann, with her husband Steve has been a missionary for many years throughout Asia, serving the Lord through conference work.

Ann will be introducing us to The Search For Significance.

Have you ever struggled with feelings of inferiority?

Do you find that guilt sours your relationships and governs your life?

Do you struggle with who you are and why you are here?

You need to hear Ann.

Some resources will be available for purchase, but this FREE conference will be an unmissable experience for your wife.

The second session at 7:00 pm will repeat the teaching of the afternoon, so that you can encourage friends or family members to benefit from this wonderful opportunity to hear and meet Ann Cretin.

Again, this seminar is FREE! Elsewhere you would have to pay hundreds of dollars to hear a speaker like Ann, but, as an introduction to Lifeway Christian education materials, these seminars are free.

WHAT IS FAITH EVANGELISM?
1. FAITH Evangelism is an intentional approach of disciple making, evangelism training and ministry conducted by members of the open Bible study classes or small groups.
2. FAITH enables a church to intentionally affect the climate of evangelism within the church family as members take the gospel to the community and beyond.
3. FAITH Evangelism is designed to be a journey, not a destination. It is a journey that develops believers, connects people and multiplies disciples.
4. The primary focus of FAITH Evangelism is to build on-mission Christians who are involved in the Kingdom work as multiplying disciples. A key text for understanding FAITH is found in 2 Timothy
2:1-2: “You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (HCSB).
5. FAITH Evangelism builds and equips believers to grow in their own personal lives, to go into the community with the gospel and with needed ministry, and to develop others as committed followers of Jesus Christ.

These days provide us God size opportunities to prepare ourselves for carrying out the Great Commission. As you spend these days being equipped to go and teach others, I am praying that God will give you a new vision for equipping people in your community, state, nation, and around the world.
Our desire is to provide you with the tools for you to be prepared to go wherever God sends you to teach, tell, and mobilize people to go, tell, and teach all the things of Jesus.
Unfortunately, as Jesus lamented, the workers are few (see Matt. 9:37). Ironically, while people in Australia are more receptive to the gospel than ever before, research shows that Christians are becoming increasingly apathetic in their efforts to evangelize the lost. Jesus requested that we pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest (Matt. 9:38).
Your willingness to recognize the opportunity and step forward in commitment means that you are obeying Christ’s command. You are among thousands who are pressing forward into the spiritual darkness to rescue precious lives from eternal separation with God. You are an answer to Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 9:38.
My favorite verse of Scripture comes from Acts 4. Peter and John have just healed the man at the temple gates who had been crippled from birth. The people were amazed! The temple authorities were enraged. They dragged the disciples into court for an inquisition, then commanding them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, with great boldness, responded, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19- 0). That’s my passion. I never want to stop speaking about what I’ve seen and heard.
Jesus has made too great a difference in my life for me to be silent. Think about the story: God wants to save sinners, but because of our sin and rebellion, we rightly deserve His punishment. For Him to be a just God, He has to punish us (see Prov. 17:15). How does God reconcile His desire to save sinners with His unwavering commitment to His standard of holiness? I’ll let the Bible answer: “God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved! He also raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavens, in Christ Jesus” (Eph. :4-6). What a story! What great news! As the old hymn says,
Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain.
He washed it white as snow.
It is easy to become isolated and to see our churches as a refuge where we get away from the increasing rawness of our culture. Church was never meant to be a retreat centre but a mighty army. A great pastor with a passion can guide church members to look outward. Not only does he turn their eyes to the fields, he also leads them into the harvest. Never underestimate a great pastor’s influence to infuse the congregation with a passion for the lost.
As you work through this invaluable training and move out into a hostile culture, go in confidence. The field is ready for harvest. God wants to save sinners. Jesus paid it all.
“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!’ ” (Rom. 10:14-15, NIV).
FAITH is a tremendous strategy to enable pastors to motivate their congregations to reach the lost.

The core of the course focuses on learning an easy gospel presentation, following the acronym F.A.I.T.H.

In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to get to heaven and have eternal life?

F Is for Forgiveness

Everyone has sinned and needs God’s forgiveness.

Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

God’s forgiveness is in Jesus only.

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

A Is for Available

God’s forgiveness is available for all.

John 3:16 “God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

God’s forgiveness is available but not automatic.

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”

I Is for Impossible

According to the Bible, it is impossible to get to heaven on our own.

Ephesians 2:8-9

“By grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.”

So how can a sinful person have eternal life and enter heaven?

T Is for Turn

If you were going down the road and someone asked you to turn, what would he or she be asking you to do? (Change direction)

Turn means repent.

Turn away from sin and self.

Luke 13:3 “Unless you repent, you will all perish as well!”

Turn to Jesus alone as your Savior and Lord.

John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Here is the greatest news of all.

Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.”

What happens if a person is willing to repent of their sins and confess Christ?

H Is for Heaven

Heaven is a place where we will live with God forever.

John 14:3 “If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”

Eternal life begins now with Jesus.

John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

H can also stand for how.

How can a person have God’s forgiveness, eternal life, and heaven?

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

By trusting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE FAITH RTAINING COURSE?

If you and I believe there is a heaven and a hell, why do we keep so quiet about the gospel of Jesus?

The FAITH evangelism strategy consists of a 12 week course.

The session titles give you an idea of what is included in each session.

1. Session 1: The Great Adventure

2. Session 2: Moving Toward Spiritual Dialogue

3. Session 3: Finding Connection Points

4. Session 4: F Is for Forgiveness

5. Session 5: A Is for Available

6. Session 6: I Is for Impossible

7. Session 7: T Is for Turn

8. Session 8: H Is for Heaven

9. Session 9: The Invitation

10. Session 10: They Accepted Jesus; Now What?

11. Session 11: Your Role in Kingdom Work

12. Session 12: Your Next Step

Each session includes home studies with a strong emphasis on one’s daily, personal walk with the Lord.

Come and learn how to utilise this tremendous resource for training your small group and congregation in ongoing witness.

Yes Matt turned 21, and we were all there to celebrate!

The exploits of our heroic Matt from aged 2 until 21 were all recounted and all agreed its good for Matt to be alive.

Around 70 folks feasted and celebrated at Matt’s expense (or his mum and dad’s) and much ice was put down many shirt backs.

We look forward to many more of these Matt (birthdays that is) and many more McDonald 21sts!