An Upward Look

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to have lived in the first century and been one of those disciples who walked with Jesus? One of those who heard His stories as they fell from His lips and personally witnessed His marvelous miracles? One of those who walked with the resurrected Saviour on the road to Emmaus? One of those who stood and watched Him as He slowly ascended into the heavens in the presence of two angelic beings in white apparel? Or, what would it have been like to have been caught up into the third heaven, as Paul, into the very presence of the Lord?

Is it any wonder those who had been with Jesus, were said to have turned the world upside down? Surely Paul’s special insight into the sights and sounds of that other world, had a profound effect upon Him and radically changed His outlook upon this mundane world in which he lived.

Yes a glimpse of other places can sometimes change our outlook or up-look. Until I had the privilege of staying a few weeks with a pastor friend and preaching in a number of rural churches in the pristine and beautiful mountains of West Virginia, I could not truly appreciate the words of John Denver’s beautiful song, Almost heaven, West Virginia...”

Until my daughter and her family moved to North Carolina, the history, geography and contemporary nature of the state were of little special interest to me. But now I find the place has a special attraction and fascination for me. Perhaps it’s because I have loved ones there.

Until I was sure God was calling me to plant churches in the great land down under, I knew very little of the place; nor did I have any particular desire to make a twenty-four hour plane trip to see it and find out more about it. But now, since I have so many loved ones in Australia, both in the physical and spiritual sense, the Lord has given me a deep love and affinity for the country.

Although there are many beautiful spots on God’s green earth, none could compare to the marvellous wonder and beauty of heaven. Even so, the main attraction of heaven for the Christian is not the place but the people. The main Person Who draws us heavenward is Jesus. In heaven we shall see Him face to face. Just as our roots sometimes tug at us, drawing us back to the places and people of our origins, so does our heart draw us heavenward and homeward.

The presence there of loved ones who have gone before add to this upward pull. It is said that the  homing instinct of certain Arctic birds placed in zoos always compel them to look northward or homeward. We, who are temporary colonisers of planet earth, have a strange, other-worldly attraction as well. We are focused on another place. Our affections are set there. Our mind-set is in tune with our Master who resides there. We are looking for that city whose builder and maker is God. Through Christ, we as Paul, have been given a peep into that eternal city that is our eternal destiny, and it draws us ever onward and upward.

But is heaven a real place or, as some say, just a figment of a fertile imagination? Is it pie in the sky by and by, or the ultimate dwelling place of God with His people? I am convinced that heaven is a real special place. Heaven is not a figment of an overworked imagination. Nor is it just pie in the sky by and by. It’s not merely a grown up version of a big rock candy mountain.

Although heaven is a real place populated with real people, it is still beyond the keen of the mind of mortal mind to begin to comprehend its magnificence. Paul could not utter the sense of awe he felt about it, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Can you imagine the amazement of our rural forefathers would experience if they could see the wonders of modern cities and civilisation today? Heaven is a place designed and built for the people of God by the Architect of this vast universe. Look at the beauty of this world and multiply that beauty by infinity and we might have an inkling of the beauty of  that other land. Imagine a place without any of the terrible effects of sin and the fall of man. Imagine paradise restored in all its perfection and completion. Such is unimaginable! - John White

New Year Messages

To mark the beginning of a New Year we have posted four New Year's Sermons in our Sermons section.  You are invited to have a look and enjoy or use any of the material for the glory of God.

Click here:  Messages

A New Beginning

A new beginning is always a fascinating and exciting prospect. The drug addict who goes cold turkey in an attempt to throw off the terrible destructive effects of addiction is often motivated by the prospect of a drug free life. The smoker, the alcoholic, the compulsive gambler, each mercilessly a captive of his sinful compulsion, longs for the freedom to be found in a real and lasting new beginning.

All of us are subject to this same fascination at times. If we could just wipe the slate of failure clean and start all over again, geographically, vocationally, financially or even matrimonially- ,the new beginning would ultimately lead to a great success.

But would it? Does an attempt to deal with and eliminate the failures of the past necessarily guarantee success in the future? Does turning over a new leaf guarantee we will not spoil it too? As an ex-smoker I can empathize with those who year after year make New Year's resolutions to give up such compulsive and destructive habits. As a much younger man, my repeated failures to deal with the problem finally led me to consider a resolution to quit trying to quit. Then I resolved to confess my failure to God and ask him to give me a personal victory. He did not fail me.

Herein perhaps lies a lesson for us all. God has told us that all our righteous efforts are as filthy rags before Him. That we cannot through self reformation or under our own steam really conquer sin and change our own character. The power and motive for effective and enduring change must come front outside ourselves. Jesus said, ".The Truth will make you free." "He whom the Son sets free, is free indeed!" - Pastor White

Christian New Year Resolutions

During The Year I Will:

Like Paul, forget those things which are behind and press forward. Like David, lift my eyes to the hills from which comes my help. Like Abraham, trust my God implicitly. Like Enoch, walk in daily fellowship with my heavenly Father. Like Moses suffer rather than enjoy the pleasure of sin for a time. Like Joseph, turn my back on all evil advances. Like Gideon, advance even when my friends are few. Like Andrew, strive to lead my brother to Christ Like Peter, repent of my failures and begin anew as a witness for Christ- The Witness