Dear ,
Let me begin with my apology for not sending out an email last week. I know your week does not hinge on receiving my email newsletter, but you might notice when it does not arrive. Unfortunately, I was quite 'under the weather' when it came time to compiling my recommendations, so was not able to complete the task. I am sorry; you know how it is.
What I can offer to you is notice a new sermon I posted on my website. I hope you enjoy it. A video is not available for it yet. I will post this on the sermon's page as soon as I can make it available.
By the way, I will be preaching at Campbelltown Uniting Church this coming Sunday and the next (8 & 15 November). Join me at 9:00 am, if you've nowhere else to go and nothing else to do. It would be great to see you and yours.
In the Midst of Suffering
On the character of a Christian
Ian Forest-Jones | 18 October 2026
Every Christian can exude the character of a Christian in the midst of suffering by becoming more than a servant but a friend seeking a reunion with Christ our Lord.
This sermon is based on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 and was delivered at Campbelltown Regional Mission on Sunday, 18 October 2026.
A video is not yet available for this sermon.
The weekly Christian Herald American newspaper once carried an article about a senior executive at one of the largest banks in New York City. He told how he had risen to a place of prominence and influence.
He first served as an office boy —not this office boy, but this is an interesting story too, don’t you think? Then one day the president of the company called him aside and said, “I want you to come into my office and be with me each day.”
The young man replied, “But what could I do to help you, sir? I don’t know anything about finances.”
“Never mind that! You will learn what I want to teach you a lot faster if you just stay by my side and keep your eyes and ears open!”
“That was the most significant experience of my life,” said the now-famous banker. “Being with that wise man made me just like him. I began to do things the way he did, and that accounts for what I am today.”
It is undoubtedly true that learning at the side of a valued and trusted mentor will result in one becoming like that mentor in both skills and character.
Our reading from The Letter to the Philippians last week had us reflecting on the experience of Christians in the midst of suffering. If we are friends of Jesus, then we want to be more like him, correct? Can we become more like him in the midst of suffering? Absolutely! Sticking close to Jesus is the key.
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