So, here’s some notes on the Service.
David Jones’ sermon to follow.
200 people gathered at the Chinese Presbyterian Church, which is on the corner of Albion and Crown Streets in Sydney.
These sorts of Service mix the worship of God with the business of meeting, so a deft touch is required so as to help the transitions between the two not seem too jarring.
In addition the outgoing Moderator (Robert Benn) and the incoming Moderator (David Jones) both give separate addresses to the meeting. This too, could make the occasion seem to lack focus.
Fortunately the Service tonight was well structured and led with winsome skill by Robert Benn, Paul Logan (Clerk of Assembly) and David Jones.
We began with a stirring rendition of ‘Name Of All Majesty’.
Moderator’s chaplain, John McLean led us in a prayer in which love for God, confession of sin and thankful requests for future blessings were invoked.
It is a usual comment that the mass of male voices at these sorts of meetings makes the singing a joy in which to participate.
Any feelings of masculine pride in our combined voices were quickly put in their place when Les Andrews sang a solo of “To See the King Of Heaven Fall (Gethsemane Hymn) a composition by Keith Getty / Stuart Townend. His bass/baritone voice, with minimal piano accompaniment, emphasised the gravity of our Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering on our behalf.
Robert Benn’s other chaplain, Sandy McMillan, read Colossians 1: 15-20 and then Mr Benn addressed the house, informing us that he and Mr Jones had co-ordinated their addresses and Robert would make some comments, while David would preach the Word.
Robert’s comments were rich in devotional and practical application, and set the scene for David’s sermon which would follow.
Taking the title “Bearing That Image”, Robert spoke about Christ as the image of the invisible God, and how He represented the Father’s will with a saving purpose that makes peace with God and redeems fallen creation.
This can cause some concern among those committed to the Gospel because social activity can be seen as a substitute for the Gospel. But this should not be the case, it is not an either/or redemption.
Quoting Charles Colson concern about an exclusive focus on prayer, bible study, worship and fellowship, Benn noted the problems which emerge if these are seen as the extent of Gospel activity.
The problem? If we focus exclusively on these and not redeem the culture, Christianity will be privatised and marginalised.
Jesus reconciled all things by making peace through his blood.
Robert invited us to see afresh the comprehensiveness of God’s rescue mission through the experiences which he had on our behalf.
Africa. 100 years ago 10 million. Now 360 million.
Tribal and civil wars, 300 new churches start every week.
Congregations with prayer houses that will become churches. Prisoners set free. Sight given to the blind. Release for the oppressed. Just as was promised in Isaiah.
Extra arms and extra legs to reach out and touch and walk where he walked.
There is a comprehensivness to Christ’s rescue mission.
It hardly matters what we are doing. Australian Presbyterians are there.
The rooves on the churches. Bible schools being built and staffed. Touching all of those things Jesus was concerned about.
Saved by grace to do the things that concerned Jesus.
Robert also spoke of the Melbourne colloquium, lectures on ethical social issues by leading thinkers.
Kuyper: not a single square centimetre where Christ does not proclaim ‘this is mine’.
All in all a very encouraging word, and one which helped us see the impact our witness can have on all sorts of levels around the world.
The Getty/Townend song “The Power Of The Cross” gave us the opportunity to give a responsive voice to our recognition of the awesome scope of Christ’s saving work on the cross.
As an expression of that partnership Robert then welcomed some of the visitors representing overseas churches, noting individual aspects of their partnership with our denomination.
More on the remainder of the Service in the next post.
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