12 Thoughts On The Christian Ministry That Revolutionised My Faith
In 1996, I began studying at the University of NSW in Sydney.
I moved into New College, an Anglican residential College on campus, and it changed my life forever. New College had a vibrant community life, including a community of Christian university students who were serious about their faith and growing in their knowledge of the Bible. The campus had a ministry known as Campus Bible Study, led by arguably one of the best Bible teachers in the English-speaking world, Phillip Jensen. Phillip had been on campus since 1975, and his Bible teaching through Campus Bible Study had shaped generations of students, including me.
Campus Bible Study celebrated its 50th anniversary in mid-March of this year, and I had the pleasure of attending.
I caught up with many old friends. We heard from Phillip (who moved on from CBS in the early 2000s) and from others, including those who headed up the ministry after Phillip - Paul Grimmond and now Carl Matthei. It was a chance to thank God for what He has achieved through Campus Bible Study over these 50 years. It was an opportunity to hear about how the ministry is going now (under God, very well). And a time to hear about what was coming next - what the vision is for the next 50 years.
I had a tinge of nostalgia as I remembered my time on campus hearing Bible talks at CBS during this formative period in my life.
I felt thankful to see so many former students persevering in their faith, trusting in Jesus through life's ups and downs. Yet, there was also sadness in hearing about the struggles of old friends who had faced tough times since leaving CBS.
But as I reflect on it all - the 50th anniversary, as well as my time at CBS, here are 12 thoughts that come to mind:
1) CBS gave me the Christian ‘Copernican Revolution’: Removing me from the centre of my life, and replacing me with Jesus.
One of the most significant impacts of CBS and Philip’s teaching was giving Christian uni students the Christian Copernican Revolution. We were confronted with God’s amazing goodness and glory through His word and realised that we're not the centre of the Universe; the Lord Jesus Christ is.
For many students, including myself, this changed the trajectory of our lives.
2) A comfortable life is spiritually dangerous: if we have ‘heaven’ now, we’re less likely to yearn for the real heaven to come.
Hearing Phillip preach again at the reunion and listening to the student's enthusiasm for the gospel reminded me of the danger of becoming physically comfortable. It can lead to spiritual sleepiness. If we have a pseudo-heaven, a false sense of security and comfort, offered to us on a platter (which we often do in Australia), this can distract and dull our desire for the real heaven and the true satisfaction that comes from knowing and serving God.
3) If the Risen Jesus is Lord, then this changes everything about my life.
If I’m not the boss of my life, I must not be the one calling the shots. Period.
4) We’re here to live life backwards: our future hope must shape our present.
So much of secular life is about the here and now - 'You Only Live Once'. But if life is heading toward the glorious hope of the New Heavens and the New Earth, how can that not shape the present?
5) If I hold to the gospel, then I will suffer persecution.
Phillip preached from 2 Timothy and reminded us of what Paul says: ‘Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted’. (2 Tim 3:12). While this was a theoretical truth when I was at uni in the late ‘90s, it's much more real and present in modern secular Australia (albeit nowhere near as bad as many other countries).
6) Do I really believe the Lord Jesus Christ rules at God's right hand, pouring out his Spirit, and will return to Judge? Then, I must proclaim the gospel.
The physical comfort we experience here in Australia can dull our desire to proclaim the gospel. But if Jesus is ruling at God's right hand, nothing is more important (2 Tim 4:1).
7) I must preach the gospel with ‘urgent patience’ (2 Tim 4:2)
Not only must I proclaim the gospel, but I must do it urgently, as Christ will return. And I must do it patiently, as it often takes people time to understand, let alone accept the gospel (2 Tim 4:2).
8) I preach the gospel because it’s true, but also because it’s the most loving thing I can do.
What could be more loving than telling people the one message that will rescue them from the rightful Judgement we all deserve?
9) We live in a culture where authenticity and identity are driven by the feelings of your heart. But Jesus says great evil comes from within our heart (Matt 15:18-20).
Paul Grimmond gave a taste of the training students experience. He engaged with the culture of 'expressive individualism' that we're all swimming in: How do we speak to a culture that looks within for authority and meaning and rejects external authority? We apply salient parts of the gospel to our culture, such as what Jesus says about the heart.
10) Doing good can help people become curious and interested in the gospel (1 Peter 2:12)
‘Live such good lives among the pagans, that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they might see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us’. (1 Peter 2:12).
11) Doing good can provoke people to hate you and the gospel (1 Peter 3:13-16).
‘Who will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed’. (1 Peter 3:13-14).
12) Time has gone so fast - 25 years in the blink of an eye. We'll all be before the judgment seat of Christ very soon!
I couldn't help thinking how fast time has flown - and how it continues to fly as I get older. It's been 25 years since I left CBS. In 25 years time, my CBS cohort and I will be in our early 70s. Life is brief. It's short. Soon I will be standing before my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
So, I was challenged afresh to think: how can I best use this short life that He has given me?