mgpcpastor's blog

So, you get unedited notes now, which I may tidy up later.
That’s the trade-off for getting to read this now and not at 11.00pm tonight.

Assembly Communion Service
Presbyterian Assemblies usually contain a worship Service at which communion is shared.
This is an interesting expression of our theology of church, where communion is generally recognised as being celebrated in the context of a local Congregation.
If the Assembly has done their preparation correctly they’ve requested the local session here at the Chinese Presbyterian Church for permission to celebrate the supper, and we do so in the context of a worship Service at which they are our hosts.
The congregation this morning is more substantial than last nights. This is because more travellers from interstate have arrived and some delegates from the wider Sydney region have left it until this morning to make the trip in.
David Jones will lead the Service and his chaplains, Stuart Bonnington and Kevin Murray assist him.
After Scripture and prayer we sing ‘This Earth Belongs To God’ (a version of Psalm 24) with the men and women each singing one half of the verses in a call and response form.
It’s soul stirringly good.
Stuart Bonnington reads from Isaiah 54 to 55:5.

Rev Kirk Patston (Presbyterian pastor serving as lecturer at Sydney Missionary and Bible College)
God’s Lavish Generosity

Patston’s son is part of a school production of “Oliver”
Gruel from Oliver: starvation rations.
Israel wonder if this is their lot: lingering existence leading toward extinguishment.
Someone is coming.
Chapter 54 God’s inclinations toward His people have been generous.
The people articulate reasons for fear and despondency.
God speaks words of encouragement.
54:1 Barrenness. Response expand your tent. This would be callous if children were not coming. Verse 3 nations dispossessed. Exiled people would seem insignificant and would suffer death and privation. God encourages them to imagine the opposite. He still has plans to birth the Saviour of the world through them. One day Mary will give birth to one whose reign and rule will outlast every earthly empire.
Israel is like an unwanted bride. Not without reason. Verse 7. I abandoned you. Verse 8 I hid my face from you. A picture of spiritual reality. A loss of identity and hope.
Scott Rush, under sentence of death by firing squad in Indonesia. He weeps when he sees his parents.
Israel and Yahweh lock eyes. Israel is heart-broken.
Scott Rush’s future is uncertain.
Israel’s future is assured. God will bring them back.
Jesus, a Friday of abandonment, a Sunday of restoration and eternal embrace.
It is possible to stand up and talk about God’s generosity week by week and then go home and feel empty, defeated and alone.
Perhaps God’s everlasting presence
Perhaps we judge ourselves on our own perceptions of our inadequacies.
We settle for gruel.
This like the days of Noah (verse 9)
Imagery of the floods in Pakistan. Damage and decay, but signs of life.
For Noah. There is nothing and no-one, until he focuses on that which is in the ark and remembers the promises of God. (verse) 10
Promises of riches.
‘Oliver’: the market scene, a context of promise and life, a stark contrast to orphanage.
Gift after gift from God abound in the Bible.
New ministry opportunities: I don’t have (time, character, gifts, faith, desire) what do these responses indicate about our image of God.
He gives gifts. We see bondages.
Verse 16 God created the smith: He did judge His people. Verse 17, His ultimate purpose is vindication. The servant is not longer an individual but a community who share in his blessings.
Verses 1 and 2 again show plenteous provision.
Verse 3 gives a call to the nations to share in this blessing.
Border protection is not a theme, instead there are highways to bring people in.
God’s generosity is for the stranger and alien.
Are our churches highways or borders.
Access for physical, intellectual and cultural differences.
A family quilt maker. A year to make. Imagine the humbling that receiving such a gift brings.
Isaiah surveys a plan generations in the making.
Sins forgiven. A four thousand year long plan.
Concern for melancholy and regret at times of seasonal celebration.
Took photos of reasons to be grateful.
365 days of grateful.
The book of Isaiah reminds us of the lavish generosity of God the Redeemer.
Preserve life, create a people, rule a nation, bless the earth.

We sing “The Power Of The Cross” a Keith Getty composition. The final stanza:
“This, the pow’r of the cross:
Son of God – slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.”
is our congregational affirmation of appreciation for the infinite value of the sacrifice of Christ, God’s offering for our redemption.

Kevin Murray leads us in prayer recalling the themes of the Sermon in his thanksgiving and confession. He mentions our partner churches gathering before the table of the Lord in fellowship with us. The persecuted church is upheld, that they may remember God’s love and stand firm in their witness. We thank God for the power of the Gospel and the certain belief in the Kingdom growing to fulfilment. The various agencies within our denomination are prayed for. The need for those who will gather the harvest in pastoral ministry and works of outreach and care. Those who rule over us in government are upheld, for wisdom and for conversion. Key influencers in society may come to know Christ. For revival to start within the church and sweep across this nation. Praise for the certain coming of the day when Jesus shall return and when the whole earth will know the Lordship of Jesus.
We sing the well known lyrics of Isaac Watts: “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”. David Jones bids us remain seated so that we may focus on the words. Singing the hymn to the tune “Wye Valley” provides a point of difference that helps us focus on the words with fresh devotion.

Les Andrews sings verses from “Behold The Lamb” (by Getty/Townend) while the bread is distributed and completes the song while the wine is served. We feast around the table of the King.
The elements are distributed by eight ruling elders, delegates representing the six states.
At the conclusion, David prays that every soul present may rejoice in the knowledge of complete absolution and of sin’s full remission because of Christ’s work and that we may go forward redolent of Him that all may know His Gospel.

We sing the Graham Kendrick song “Amazing Love” and then conclude with “If Christ Be God” led by the Moderator and a few hardy souls who knew the chorus. Our organist for the morning gave us fine musical assistance.