Impact 09 Day 3
Us out-of-town sojourners had the pleasure of worshipping and learning with the local Riverbend congregation on Sunday morning, day 3 of the Impact Bible Conference. Rick and Russell preached during the morning sessions, while Jerry presented a stirring message during the evening Communion service.
Sandwiched between the plenaries was the continuation of the ladies seminar by Martha Peace, and a spirited Q&A session which offered much insight and learning.
General session 7: Rick continued his exposition of 1 Peter in a message entitled, “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” – how does one experience true Christian joy? In verses 6 to 9 the apostle Peter explains to Christians under trial four discoveries for enjoying life-changing joy:
1. Joy is rooted in the thought of heaven – Christians are betrothed to an afterlife with Christ
2. Joy is strengthened through the refinement of suffering – “the happiest days of the Church have been her days of persecution”
3. Joy is centred on the person of Christ – this point included Rick’s most insightful comment of the conference: “The only man-made thing in heaven will be the scars on Jesus’s body.”
4. Joy is _____ the reality of heaven (v9)
General session 9: I was enriched by Jerry’s exposition of the crucifixion narrative from the human perspective in Luke 23:39-43. For those who don’t know, that’s the part where Jesus hangs between the two criminals, who offer two startlingly contrasting responses to the Suffering Servant. I loved seeing this Passion narrative from this uncommon perspective. The proud unrepentant criminal curses And cajoles despite being rightly condemned, utterly helpless, and unable to reverse the consequences. On the other hand, the repentant thief justifies God, vindicates Christ and pleads for mercy which is graciously given: “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
As Jerry closed in prayer, the Hawkes Bay was treated with the first sea-level snowfall in over 40 years. Snowfights and merriment served a fitting coda to a Lord’s day to remember.
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