Tirau Co-operating Parish

Minister's Message

Rev. Tim Dack sermon file downloading... please wait...

6 months into ministry in new Zealand, have their been any blessings or has it all been a big struggle? Loads of blessings: these are some of the ones that stand out:   Arriving at the Vicarage to find a huge amount of generosity of time and giving and attention to detail had been expended to make our arrival as easy as possible. Love in action that will never be forgotten.   Someone else's new car for us to use until we got on our feet; an act of sacrifice that we have shared with people far and wide without mentioning names ( of course)   The super-fast response of the Parish Council to cover all costs when it was discovered that our hot water had been leaking away under the house.   The generosity of people in opening up their homes to Eddie and Jean which made for a great time in new Zealand for them and us.   A huge pile of wood we found in the driveway.   Real concern and practical help from your elected elders in helping us to come to terms with what we thought would be a culture like our own, but which we have found to be very different. Much has been said of the financial challenges we have experienced, but it also needs to be said that the church elders have been tremendously supportive in helping us to adapt and without doubt have a heart to see the minister and his family blessed in every possible way.   The amazing prayers of intercession of our Maori brothers and sisters for the minister and his family.   The generous comments about preaching and services and the general appreciation of my ministry.   Do I regret coming to Tirau?  Oh No!

We all know that we are saved by God's grace through faith and even that faith is not of ourselves, for it is the gift of God. Sometimes people describe themselves as Christians because at a point in their life they responded to a call to believe in Jesus. But what has been the fruit of this faith? Jesus said on one occasion that belief in God was not enough; he pointed to the fact that the demons believe in God and tremble; are they saved because they believe? Of course not; their belief is totally without fruit. James the apostle, said that real faith, the kind of faith that comes down from God, will bear fruit; he told the people of his time that he would show them his faith by his actions. He would have been the first to affirm the great truth that we are saved by Grace through Faith, not by our works; but he would have shouted from the rooftops REAL FAITH WORKS. Before you describe someone as a believer; ask the very important question: is their faith working? If it isn't, it's not from God. Jesus said if you love me keep my commandments; his commandments were built upon the foundation of the 10 commandments God gave to Moses. If someone claimed to have faith but they continually committed adultery; do they have a faith that works kind of faith? If someone claimed to be a christian but at every opportunity offered incense at the shrine of some Pagan God would we want them on the Parish Council? If someone repeatedly dishonoured his father and mother would we elect them as an elder? If someone regularly lied or thieved or blasphemed would we invite them to lead worship? I think most of us would answer no to all of these; we recognise that we are saved by grace through faith, but we want to be sure that it is a faith that works and we can determine that by the persons obedience to the laws of God. What then of the fourth commandment? Should not the fruit of the faith we have received from God be seen in our love for the day of rest that God has given us? Should we not look for a hunger, in the hearts of those who claim to be believers, to meet together with the Lord's people on the Lord's day???