Last week Dave and I had the opportunity to join a thousand other ministers at the Reach Australia conference. It is a conference aimed at helping and encouraging each other to keep first things first: the gospel. It was a great opportunity to reflect on our countrys great need for Jesus and how churches like ours are essential to meeting this need.

The week consisted of sitting under good bible teaching, looking at how we might organise ourselves and churches to be more effective at reaching the lost, and hearing how the gospel is bearing fruit in many churches across our country.

Something encouraging that I came away with was a reminder that God works through his church. What gives our ministries the power to bring new life and transformation into the lives of people is the God who is at work to fulfill his mission. God uses his word and his people to make and grow disciples. Jesus is building his kingdom today.

One of the talks given reflected on 1 Corinthians 15:58.

 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

Because we know where all things are heading, because we know Jesus is building his church, and because we know that what we do has eternal significance, we can give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord in confidence that what we give is not meaningless or wasted.

As I reflect on these things, I am so thankful to be part of a church filled with gospel centred ministry across many ages and demographics of our parish. But I also see the many thousands amongst us that need forgiveness that only Jesus can give. And we have the words of life where forgiveness is found.

Lets keep first things first, and labour in the Lord together.