The Third Commandment, “Why should I go to Church?” Someone might ask. “I don’t need to go to church to be a Christian!” What answer would you give? Someone I was listening to the other day said, “Because that’s the way I stay a Christian. If I didn’t go to worship, I would wander away from God.”
The Third Commandment deals with our need to “hear God’s Word”. “Let the person who has ears to hear – listen!” (Matthew 13:9) The whole point of the Parable of the Sower is that people’s life depends on hearing God’s Word. “Everything depends on listening; where the Word is heard, everything has been done that human beings can do. The sounds of music are beautiful to the ear, but the truth of the Gospel is even more exquisite; news too fascinates the ear, but the Good News inebriates the heart.” (F.D. Brunner: Matthew - A Commentary, p.8)
Luther writes in the Large Catechism, “Even though you know God’s Word perfectly and already a master in all things: you are daily in the devil’s kingdom. He ceases neither day nor night to sneak up on you and to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the first three & all commandments. Therefore, you must always have God’s Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle and the Word does not make a sound, the devil breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. On the other hand, the Word is so effective that whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard and used, it is bound never to be without fruit. It always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these words are not lazy or dead, but are creative, living words.” (Concordia 370:100)
My hope & prayer is that all Christians under our care will listen to the preaching of God’s Word every week if they are able, & join me in reading the Bible, saying the verse for the week, singing the hymn of the week, learning the catechism off by heart & praying the Psalm - on a daily basis if possible.
Mark Hampel is an enthusiastic communicator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was ordained in 1988 and has served in churches and schools in 3 states. He currently lives in Chinchilla, Qld. His passion is building up the faith of God’s people and working with them so that all will come to know Christ as their joy and salvation.
Mark is happily married to Veronica and they have 4 children and 4 grandsons. He is also a farmer of sorts, having spent the last decade establishing a date plantation in Western Queensland. Other hobbies include Australian history, travel, film & literature and of course, family.
St John’s Downfall Creek, has been a centre of Christian faith and life in the area for over 100 years. They operated a Christian school for twenty-two years (1940 – 62).
This faith community is a warm-hearted bunch, who love to share their hospitality with the district. They enjoy many a pot luck dinner and host ‘Easter Dawn Service & Breakfast’, ‘Christmas Eve’ & ‘Advent Tea’’ and ‘Games Nights’ for the community.
Home Groups are an important part of life in the Downfall. Discussion and exploration of the faith are encouraged.
Religious Education at the nearby Guluguba Primary School is provided by St John’s.
Redeemer Miles, is a dedicated group who know the love of Christ and are keen to share it. They meet regularly in various homes throughout the district for intergenerational worship and home groups.
Religious Education at nearby Drillham State Primary School is provided by Redeemer.
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