The Hard Yakka in Ministry

The start of Adventism in Australia

How many of you know the story of the first Adventists that arrived in Australia?

Can anyone guess the date that arrived on the shores of Australia?

They arrived in Sydney on the 6 June 1885, there were 11 members who arrived, they were Pastor Stephen Haskell, Mendel Israel and his family, Pr John Corliss and his family, Henry Scott a printer from the Pacific Press and William Arnold a colporteur.

Eventually the party would move to Melbourne, Victoria and rented a small house in Richmond (64 Highett St, Richmond) where the house still exists to this day.

The Hard Yakka

Now work in sharing the ‘Three Angel’s Message’ in Melbourne was no easy feat. The pioneers faced opposition from Australian Christian groups who had spread negative reports about American Christian groups coming to Australia to steal their money. The Sabbath message was quickly rejected because of the background of these pioneers.

On top of that, what added to the discouragement of these pioneers was the Melbourne weather. We all know what Melbourne is like; 4 seasons in one day.

The Bleak Experience

Pr John Corliss writes in his journal:

“The weather is bleak, the people are bleak, I don’t think we’ll start a church here.”

Here we have an experienced evangelist, who would have had great success in the USA, faces defeat on the other side of the Pacific to.

What would you have done if that was the case? Would you have given up? Would you have thrown in the towel and say to yourself, I don’t think this is where God is leading us.

How many of you have ever felt defeated and come to a realisation that this isn’t where God is leading?

What would have happened if Pr John Corliss gave up and returned to the USA with the rest of the team?

There was one occasion where Pr John Corliss did give up though.

One August day on a predictable Melbourne weather evening, Pr Corliss was cold, wet and discouraged as he was handing out tracts about the Sabbath near the Treasury Gardens. Has anyone ever been there? I haven’t so I don’t know what that would look like.

But, Pr Corliss was frustrated as the day ended and he turned around facing the iron spiked fence and spiked one of the tracts on the fence and said to himself.

“Perhaps someone will read this one!” and made his way home to Richmond.

A random act caused a stir...

Do you know what happens next?

A passerby on that same evening was making their way home from work passing by the Treasury Gardens they happen to pass by that tract spiked on the fence. The gentlemen’s name is Walter H. B. Miller a printer worker.

Miller was a member of the South Melbourne Disciples of Christ Church and the tract piqued his interest. The tract had a question “Which day do you keep and why?”

Miller’s church at that time was holding a ‘Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society’ and believed that it would be a good topic to discuss on their upcoming meeting on the 27 August.

He decided to go to the address on the tract and invite the author to the event. John happily accepted.

The Accepted view

Eventually, Miller and his family would accept the seventh day Sabbath and this new member of the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Australia would use his talent as a printer to print and publish the ‘Bible Echo and Signs of the Times (aka Signs).

On the 10 January 1886, 10 months after they arrived in Australia, the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Australia was formed and organised in North Fitzroy, Victoria with 28 members (the church still exist to this day).

Because of the pioneers perseverance they were able to bring the three angel’s message down under and grow a movement that would increase its membership to 63000+ members in Australia.

But again, what would have happened if the team just gave up and returned to America? If they saw how bleak their prospects were to starting a mission here in Australia.

What would you have done if you had failure day after day, month after month. Would you have given up?

Paul’s opposition and obstacles

You see, God has an ultimate goal for all of us, God has placed in our hearts what we should do for the church, for His ministry and His mission.

Accomplishing that isn’t easy, it will be difficult, but it is only difficult if we deal it on our own, because we have the authority from heaven and earth that has been given to us to accomplish the task required from us.

We also have each other, and even though we may or may not agree, we are still a team and a church that is part of the body of Christ. We are to work together to accomplish the task God has given us.

There is a story about Paul as he is making his last trip to Jerusalem where he is visiting the Christian communities on his journey south.

Paul had just completed a mission trip starting from Antioch, making his way through Greece, this would be his third mission trip where he would share the gospel to the Gentiles and Jews, meet with the churches and encourage them and collect their offerings to bring back to Jerusalem to help support the mission.

It is said that this whole journey would have taken 4 or 5 years to accomplish, roughly starting from 53 AD to 58 AD.

So, on his journey home to Jerusalem he comes to the home of Philip the evangelist who lived in Caesarea and stayed with him.

But we read in the Bible something interesting happening at this home.

Acts 21:10–14 NKJV

10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”

So what just happened here? Here we have Agabus who has the gift of prophecy who had come from Judea the place that Paul is making his way to, arrive at Philip’s place, goes to Philip’s guest, removes a piece of clothing and ties himself up.

Would that have been a very strange encounter? Yes! Until he says “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’”

Paul is making his way to Jerusalem to bring his report and offerings received from the churches in Greece. He has just been told by God that he will face great persecution if he was to continue his journey towards Jerusalem.

What would you do if God warned you?

What would you have done in that situation? Would you have given the offering and report to one of your companion to bring to Jerusalem and go the other way and continue with sharing the gospel?

What would you have done if you were in Paul’s position? Would you heed the voice the Lord?

So, all of those that were with him begged Paul not to go on towards Jerusalem, I would too if I had heard what had been said from God. Paul still has much work to be done in this growing church am I right? That’s what I would have said to him.

But what does Paul say to those with him:

Acts 21:13 NKJV

13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

As you read Paul’s response what does that say about his resolve?

When Paul says “…breaking my heart?” it doesn’t mean to break Paul’s spirit by sorrow, but it means to weaken his resolve to fulfill his mission for God.

Paul determination

Paul had determined to go to Jerusalem in Acts 20:22-24, Paul says to the Ephesians:

Acts 20:22–24 NKJV

22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul seems to know his fate that is to befall him, as the Holy Spirit had already informed him, but he pressed on in faith not letting anything deter him. He remain faithful in his ministry for the Lord.

He even tells the Ephesians in verse 25

Acts 20:25 NKJV

25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

He knows that it will be the last time they’ll see him.

I AM READY

You can see Paul’s resolve when he says, back in Acts 21:13 “For I am ready...”, Paul was ready to receive whatever was to befall him for the sake of Christ. He was willing to be bound and die in Jerusalem despite the warning he received from the Holy Spirit.

He didn’t disobey the Lord, but acknowledged what was to happen to him, he didn’t allow anyone to divert his journey but remained on the path despite much opposition and obstacles by his fellow Christian family.

Paul was ready and nothing could deter him in his ministry that he had to accomplish for the Lord.

To us, from our point of view, it would seem crazy and suicidal, I would have bound him with his belt and go the opposite way.

But Paul was ready, ready to face the firing squad in Jerusalem, ready to serve the Lord, because he did it for Him who died and saved him from his sins. He did it for his Saviour; for Jesus his Lord.

So my question to you is “are you ready?”

Are you ready for the ‘Hard Yakka’ ministry the Lord has prepared for you?

Ministry isn’t easy

When we think about God’s ministry, the reality is that it isn’t easy, there is always someone or something that would discourage you in proceeding forward in doing the Lord’s will. Some people would like to do it this way, and others will like to do it that way, Some voices are louder and some voices have the majority vote, and all this can affect the way you do ministry, but how strong is your resolve?

We need to remember that everything that we are doing is for Jesus and His church. God knows that you’re doing your best and God knows you’ve got some great ideas, but what God would want more is your relationship with Him, and to help build the fellowship and unity amongst His children.

When we were starting up 3am university church in University of NSW we were coming out of Strathfield Chinese church. I wanted to do things my way and I consciously thought it was a great idea but no one sided with me. I complained and got upset with the team because no one listened to me and that I want to leave.

But after much prayer and thought in the whole situation, I reconsidered and remained because I realised that it isn’t about me and my plans but it was His mission in the university the end goal and that was what I was ready for, not the plans but the goal to bring the international community to knowing Jesus, and I can only have done that with my connection with Jesus and His church; 3am.

The church existed to work together for the purpose in winning souls for His Kingdom.

We get easily discouraged and give up.

How many of us face opposition or obstacles at church? We all face it right?

We can’t avoid it but we can learn to overcome it by looking to Jesus as Paul did, as John Corliss and the pioneers did, and as I did.

But when it comes to opposition or obstacles in church ministry, honestly, how do we handle them? What do you do if things don’t go your way?

I think sometimes we forget why God has called us and what we as Christians are really meant to do?

Because I feel as though we get swayed by public opinion or by the plans that don’t approved and we miss the real reason why we are here.

Don’t let nothing change your resolve!

Galatians 6:11 NLT

11 Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.

Galatians 6:14–17 NLT

14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. 17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

Paul is a man who has done the Hard Yakka in ministry, some have suggested that he wrote verse 11 because either his vision was fading but others have suggested that his hands were permanently injured from various treatments of physical persecution.

But, through his writings he writes nothing ill towards the Lord or those that oppressed him but gives God the glory, as we all should for everyone here is still our brother and sister in Christ.

Paul has the emotional and the physical scars for what he has endured for the Lord, but he was happy to go through it for Him, how happy and ready are you to go through the fire for Jesus? Are you ready to fulfill the task the Lord has prepared for you?

Are you ready to do the Hard Yakka in Ministry?