The Battle Within
Today I am writing from Parramatta, a suburb of the amazing city of Sydney, Australia.
Over the past two years I have been working with the team on the ground here to get a program up and running for the young adults in the local church. Finally the dreaming, the planning, and the preparation have been done and yesterday we kicked off with the first installment of eight corporate worship experiences. I cannot begin to tell you how inspired I was sitting in the second row awaiting my turn to contribute to the service. Why? Because this team of young adults (I am guessing about 20-30) pulled together an extremely solid worship block including a skit, a video, an audience including game, a puppet show based on Daniel, and worship music that lifted your spirit toward heaven! It all made of an amazing way to worship Jesus on the Sabbath.
Yesterday I opened with a message entitled The Greatest Controversy. At the core of the message was a challenge to consider the fact that we already know the outcome of the cosmic battle that we often think of when we hear the phrase, the great controversy. We already know that Jesus defeated Satan, sin and death. Satan was kicked out of Heaven. The battle has been won. BUT!!!! There is still a great controversy going on for our souls; your soul and my soul. Yesterday we looked at the fact that inspite of what we may do or don’t do, that Jesus knows everything about us and is still dying to have a relationship with us. He knows that while Satan is defeated in Heaven, that he is still on this planet seeking to devour even the elect of God. The challenge to each one of us this week is to remain in a posture where we are surrendered to the Holy Spirits leading in our lives.
I want to invite you to check back here regularly as I will be posting a blog every day after the meeting. I would be great to have you comment on your experience as we journey together this week with The Battle Within.
Blessings,
Matthew Gamble
Sydney, Australia
Posted by matthew gamble on July 05, 2008 at 01:21 PM
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It truly is rewarding to mentor new generations. Savor the blessing of legacy. All for GOD’s fame!
Posted by allan on July 05, 2008 at 03:26 PM | #Yo, For real?? Matt, you doin BIG things for the Kingdom!!
That’s just AWESOME
dab
Posted by Delroy A Brooks on July 05, 2008 at 04:51 PM | #Been great so far Matt - looking forward to the rest of the week and bringing friends along.
Posted by Mario on July 06, 2008 at 11:33 PM | #Hey Guys!
Thanks for taking the time to post. Looking forward to the rest of a great week!
Courage,
mg
Posted by matthew gamble on July 07, 2008 at 12:42 AM | #Its never a good thing for a visiting pastor to dabble in the politics of the church who has invited him. Tonight, I felt you went too far. You have no idea what issues we are dealing with regarding church unity. We have been struggling and praying and the Lord has been working mightily to teach us tolerance, to help us to meet each other halfway, to understand the generational issues we are facing. You said people were gloating when the hall service was closed down - thats someones account to you of what they saw - you were not here. Please ensure you understand the reasons for the actions that have been taken over the years before you criticise. You seem to have a problem with the “oldies” as you have continually been jabbing at them this week. (you continually used an older voice when you were talking about “reverant” and “drums") Older people have a different worship style to the younger generation - why do you keep criticising that - Your joking around about spiritual matters is a style that is not always tasteful - but I have taken the good out of your sermons and the other bits, I have thrown out. Thats tolerance and understanding that the Youth have a different worship style and you are a youth preacher. I would suggest that you leave our church issues alone and use your time here to forge unity and forgiveness amongst the members of the Parramatta church.
Posted by Colleen on July 11, 2008 at 06:16 AM | #Thank you for taking the time to post Colleen!
Church should not be about politics so I was oblivious that I was dabbling in something that I don’t feel should exist. I was simply trying to make the point that God is into growing and expanding the Kingdom and not truncating it. That being said, I am not trying to criticize any one’s actions as I don’t know what actions were taken.
I don’t have a problem with the oldies, just intolerant ones that stand in the way of God’s Kingdom expansion. It really doesn’t have anything to do with age as I believe both young and old alike can get so hung up on tradition that they loose sight of the Gospel.
I never criticized an old persons worship style that I can recall.
I sincerely commend you greatly for taking the good out of the sermons and throwing away the bad or distasteful comments.
It is my prayer that this church unifies on its vision, purpose, core values, and mission.
Courage to you and thank you for your honest post.
Prayers ascend for the members and leadership of the Parramatta Church!
mg
Posted by matthew gamble on July 11, 2008 at 07:25 AM | #Very inspiring post. Will be on the look out for the daily blogs.
Posted by Hieyeglasses on September 09, 2008 at 12:14 AM | #Page 1 of 1 pages