It was a very special and important Sabbath day (05 September 2015) here at our local church in Toongabbie, Sydney Australia, when Br Glendon Higgins from Perth, Western Australia and Br John Altwein from Coffs Harbour, NSW, came over to spend a few days with us, especially our youth. The weather was so beautiful and sunny that everyone enjoyed the blessed day and loved it.

We began with a Sabbath School Service led by Sister Sefulu Tupai-Lesa and the youth lesson was conducted by Br Andrade.

The divine service was led by Br Glen and he preached about our ‘Physical Contamination.’ He went on about how and why Jesus came to this sin-sick world, but He was not even contaminated by it. Jesus came not for the healthy and strong ones, but for the sick, unhealthy and weak ones. (Matthew 8:2-3)  “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth [His] hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” He continued on speaking about Zacchaeus’ experience, who was a chief of the publicans, but Jesus went to his house to dine with him. Jesus’ enemies were disputing among themselves and against Him saying, He was contaminated because He was associating with these dirty people. How could He be friends with these sinners? The story also about the ‘good Samaritan’ was clearly explained, for there was a wounded man who was left half dead on the side of the road, when the Levite and priest came down that way, they both passed by on the other side, just looking at him. (Luke 10:31-32) ” And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked [on him], and passed by on the other side.”

It was a very encouraging sermon to wake us all up out of our spiritual sleep, as we continue to claim that we are Christians, who daily spend lives in a round of ceremonies to make ourselves pure, who think contacting with the ignorant and careless multitude would cause defilement that require wearisome effort to remove, but, could not help the wounded man. We always think, by helping the helpless will contaminate ourselves. Remember, Jesus was with all the hopeless and the helpless, but He was never contaminated or wearied by them all.

After lunch, we all gathered together with the youth to hear the experiences of the two Brothers to help the young people spiritually, as each face their own individual battle. Only Jesus is our master helper, who can help us win victoriously through our journey.

May God continue to bless Br Glendon and Br John for their ongoing service for the Lord.

Paula Prendegast