CLA NEWSLETTER JUNE 26TH 2016 -...
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CLA NEWSLETTER JUNE 26TH 2016 House of Prayer Wednesdays 7.30-8.30 p.m. Childsplay resumes on 14th July Scotchman's Creek Seniors Silver & Gold Service Sundays @ 10.45 am Connect Groups Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday Youth Service/Group Fridays @ 7.30 p.m. Unity Service Saturdays @ 6.00 p.m. CLA Kids Church Event "Champions" VBS Thursday 7th July & Friday 8th July, 10am-3pm Two free movie nights @ CLA! - Sunday 3rd & 10th July @ 5 pm For more details visit clamelbourne.com As we watch the news headlines, the upcoming election features heavily. Perhaps, this may be the election of most consequence for Christians yet! Is Christianity indeed antiquated and no longer relevant to modern society? The media and many political views would suggest that yes, this is indeed the case. What is our response as individuals and collectively as a church? As a nation, the spiritual force to push Christianity out of any sphere of influence in the public arena is well at work. In our state schools, not only have Christian education and chaplaincy been removed, but now there is a push for widespread roll out of the “safe schools” program in all government schools by the end of next year. This program is so extreme and radical, it is almost difficult to believe it is actually true. Under the guise of an anti-bullying program, it proclaims its intent is to stamp out homophobia and transphobia; when in reality there is a very clear political agenda to radically alter what is considered normal sexual expression and behaviour in the minds of children. In addition, it promotes gender fluidity, cross-dressing and gender reassignment and actively promotes promiscuity and sexual freedom outside of marriage. How far we have come from a simple health based message on safe sex. Not withstanding, the consequences physically, emotionally and spiritually for our children, it is simply a radical political agenda, force fed to children at an age when identity is being developed and discovered. What’s even sadder is that many Christians have been deceived by the myth propagated, that any opposition to this program automatically makes them homophobic or transphobic. But what actually is the definition of phobia; and is this a fair and accurate label for Christians who simply abide by Biblical values and teaching? Phobia by definition, is the “fear of something.” In fact, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but rather of power, of love and of a sound mind!” (2 Tim 1:7) How shall we respond? Let’s explore that further. We are not called to be fearful of people who live different lifestyles to ourselves, whether they are gay, straight or of a different religion. But rather, we need to allow the power of The Holy spirit to operate in and through our lives, that they might see the truth reflected in our lives. We are called to love people, irrespective of their choices in life. We are called to treat all life with respect and dignity, even those who oppose us. However, God has also given us a SOUND MIND. He has given us the ability to DISCERN GOOD AND EVIL. He has given us the ability to not be deceived by the evil one, into believing that what the Bible calls sin, is not harmful to us. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23) To uphold Biblical values is not to hate those who oppose us. It is not to be fearful of those who oppose us. Contrary to this, in fact to blindly accept a lifestyle that the Bible calls destructive as normal and acceptable, is actually not love at all! If a child ran across a busy road without looking, would a loving parent allow them to do so, or would they scream stop!! Love does not stay silent, nor does it turn a blind eye. THE CHURCH, THE MORAL COMPASS FOR THE NATION!
Transcript of CLA NEWSLETTER JUNE 26TH 2016 -...
CLA NEWSLETTER JUNE 26TH 2016
House of Prayer
Wednesdays 7.30-8.30 p.m.
Childsplay resumes on 14th
July
Scotchman's Creek Seniors
Silver & Gold Service Sundays @ 10.45 am
Connect Groups
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday
Youth Service/Group
Fridays @ 7.30 p.m.
Unity Service
Saturdays @ 6.00 p.m.
CLA Kids Church Event
"Champions" VBS Thursday 7th July & Friday 8th July, 10am-3pm
Two free movie nights @
CLA! - Sunday 3rd & 10th July @ 5 pm
For more details visit clamelbourne.com
As we watch the news headlines, the upcoming election features heavily. Perhaps, this may be the election of most consequence for Christians yet! Is Christianity indeed antiquated and no longer relevant to modern society? The media and many political views would suggest that yes, this is indeed the case. What is our response as individuals and collectively as a church?
As a nation, the spiritual force to push Christianity out of any sphere of influence in the public arena is well at work. In our state schools, not only have Christian education and chaplaincy been removed, but now there is a push for widespread roll out of the “safe schools” program in all government schools by the end of next year. This program is so extreme and radical, it is almost difficult to believe it is actually true. Under the guise of an anti-bullying program, it proclaims its intent is to stamp out homophobia and transphobia; when in reality there is a very clear political agenda to radically alter what is considered normal sexual expression and behaviour in the minds of children. In addition, it promotes gender fluidity, cross-dressing and gender reassignment and actively promotes promiscuity and sexual freedom outside of marriage. How far we have come from a simple health based message on safe sex. Not withstanding, the consequences physically, emotionally and spiritually for our children, it is simply a radical political agenda, force fed to children at an age when identity is being developed and discovered. What’s even sadder is that many Christians have been deceived by the myth propagated, that any opposition to this program automatically makes them homophobic or transphobic.
But what actually is the definition of phobia; and is this a fair and accurate label for Christians who simply abide by Biblical values and teaching? Phobia by definition, is the “fear of something.” In fact, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but rather of power, of love and of a sound mind!” (2 Tim 1:7)
How shall we respond? Let’s explore that further. We are not called to be fearful of people who live different lifestyles to ourselves, whether they are gay, straight or of a different religion. But rather, we need to allow the power of The Holy spirit to operate in and through our lives, that they might see the truth reflected in our lives. We are called to love people, irrespective of their choices in life. We are called to treat all life with respect and dignity, even those who oppose us. However, God has also given us a SOUND MIND. He has given us the ability to DISCERN GOOD AND EVIL. He has given us the ability to not be deceived by the evil one, into believing that what the Bible calls sin, is not harmful to us. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23) To uphold Biblical values is not to hate those who oppose us. It is not to be fearful of those who oppose us. Contrary to this, in fact to blindly accept a lifestyle that the Bible calls destructive as normal and acceptable, is actually not love at all! If a child ran across a busy road without looking, would a loving parent allow them to do so, or would they scream stop!! Love does not stay silent, nor does it turn a blind eye.
THE CHURCH, THE MORAL COMPASS FOR THE NATION!
The challenge for us as Christians is to walk the tightrope between loving people irrespective of their choices, while at the same time not normalizing their sin or changing Biblical standards in order to be more accommodating to them.
Changing landscape for the church
We believe this issue is one of the most challenging for the church in current times. Perhaps the greatest travesty is not the changing political climate or increasing immorality in our society. Surely evidence from all over the world demonstrates that the Holy Spirit can and does move, even in the harshest and most unfavourable political and social circumstances. But rather, the greatest travesty is the increasing compromise within the church, and growing acceptance of sin as normal. If the church gradually, over time, conforms to the world, truly what hope is there for the world?? The church was never designed to conform to the world, although it must remain relevant to the world. The world relies on the church to remain the moral compass. For centuries, Christianity has been influencing law, politics, art, history and influencing the moral code of conduct. To remove it from the public sphere, you have to ask, what will replace it? The fact that nations influenced heavily by Christianity are generally the most democratic, treat their opponents with the most respect and dignity and value both men and women the most equally is not something to be easily dismissed! Jesus drew people of all different walks in life, but His message never altered to attract them. Think of the woman caught in adultery, the sinful woman who anoints His feet, tax collectors; just to name a few. Of course some rejected His message and He was frequently misunderstood, but His message remained the same irrespective, it was never diluted so it would become more palatable. It is inevitable we will be misunderstood and rejected by some, despite our best attempts to walk in love, and perhaps we need to realize this is just par for the course.
Drawing people to the beauty of Christ If we believe that the wages of sin is death, then as immorality increases around us, we The Church hold the solution to the destruction that it will inevitably wreak. As the family unit falls apart around us and society becomes increasingly dysfunctional, we offer the only hope of a different way of life. A way of life which has stood the test of time. It is for this reason that we must uphold Godly values, instilled since the beginning of time; we must fight to preserve these values in our community and even more importantly within our walls. We must draw people to the beauty of Christ, when all around them is death and destruction. We must reflect something so beautiful that they are captivated by it Irrespective of the outcome on Election Day we have hope. The Bible says, “The one who perseveres till the end will be saved!” (Matt 24:13). Christianity will never be quenched. God will build His church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!
Standing strong in Christ with you! George and Christina Kanagasabai
Blackburn * Mount Waverley
Balwyn/Box Hill * Mulgrave
Dandenong North * Narre Warren
Deer Park * Pakenham
Frankston
Glen Waverley
For more details visit
clamelbourne.com
Snapshot 26th June - 3rd July
Sunday 26th June
8.30 / 10.30 a.m.
Sunday Celebration
Wednesday 29th June
7.30– 8.30 p.m.
House of Prayer
Saturday 2nd July
6.00 p.m.
Unity Service
Sunday 3rd July
8.30 / 10.30 a.m.
5.00 p.m.
Sunday Celebration
Movie Night @ CLA
Thursday 7th July & Friday 8th July 10am-3pm
WINTER VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL FOR KIDS IN PREP TO GRADE 6. IT WILL BE TWO DAYS FILLED
WITH CHAMPION TRAINING, GAMES, CRAFTS, MUSIC AND THE ULTIMATE TREASURE HUNT!
REGISTER NOW & BRING A FRIEND! | CONTACT: [email protected] or
TWO FREE MOVIE NIGHTS SUNDAY 3 JULY & 10 JULY AT
5 PM! Free popcorn, snack
dinner, and soft drinks will be provided. A great opportunity
to invite family and friends who need to experience God’s Love!
Contact Naveen on 0406 145 489 before June 25th to reserve your seats to attend one of the
sessions.
