The following piece was first written for the August 2, 2026 pew sheet at St Augustine’s Anglican Church. I share it here again in the hope that it may continue to encourage and bless.
It is our joy today to welcome Rev John Warner from Bush Church Aid. BCA exists to support the proclamation of the gospel in rural, regional and remote Australia, and John's message from Mark 4 reminds us of a wonderful truth: God's kingdom advances through the faithful sowing of God's Word. This points us to something that lies at the very heart of our life together at St Augustine's. We are, and want to continue to be, a church shaped by God's Word. For this reason, the reading, the teaching and preaching of the Bible are central to everything we do. Every Sunday we gather to hear God's Word read and explained. But our commitment to God's Word does not end when the service finishes. We seek to learn and apply the Scriptures in our Bible study groups, in our children's ministry, and in our personal lives. Whether someone is exploring the Christian faith for the first time or has been following Christ for many decades, whether young or old, we all need God's Word to teach, encourage, correct and strengthen us. When we speak of God's Word, however, we mean more than the Bible alone. The Bible itself tells us that Jesus Christ is the eternal Word of God (John 1:1, 14). Just as our words reveal our thoughts, so Jesus perfectly reveals the Father to us. The written Word leads us to the living Word, and through him we come to know God and receive the gift of eternal life. This is why our commitment is both to the Bible and to Jesus Christ. We want to be a church whose beliefs, worship, decisions and mission are shaped by the Scriptures, and whose life reflects the character and lordship of Christ. This commitment will continue to shape the future direction and vision of St Augustine's. My prayer is that each of us will grow in our love for God's Word, delight in reading and learning it, and, above all, come to know and follow the Lord Jesus Christ more deeply. For as God's Word is faithfully sown, he is faithful to bring forth a harvest for his glory.
