BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
240th Edition – April 27, 2025
TORONTO EASTER CONFERENCE
The Toronto church held its first Easter Conference last weekend with Rev. John Greer as the guest preacher. Normally, the Toronto congregation lent its support to the Port Hope church which, for years, has organized an Easter Conference.
Since the retirement of Rev. Reggie Cranston, and his subsequent health issues, the Port Hope church had to relinquish its Easter meetings so the Toronto church stepped in to fill the gap.
The Conference started with two services on Good Friday, an international dinner and service on Saturday, and concluded with two services on Easter Sunday. The Rev. Greer preached powerfully on different aspects of Christ’s ministry as Ruler, Priest and Mediator using Psalm 110 as his basis.
Each service was well attended, and the people enjoyed the solid preaching of God’s Word eagerly waiting to hear more. Mr. Greer and his wife Joan then went to Malvern, Pennsylvania, where he had ministered for seventeen years, before returning to their home in Northern Ireland.
SCIENTIFIC DREAMERS
Once more some in the scientific community think they have found the possibilities of life on a far away planet. Using the James Webb Space Telescope they “think” they have found dimethyl sulphide and disulphide in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18B. It is important for them as these two chemicals, well known on earth, are produced by marine algae.
Those scientists, who are a-buzz right now, need not get too excited for it takes a space craft travelling at 38,000 mph over two million years to get there. All humans are limited to a life of a maximum of 100 years.
If they were honest, they would admit that their quest for life in outer space is driven by a rejection of the God who
made them and the universe. They would be serving humanity better by studying the statement that God “is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” [Hebrews 11:6].
What a reward it would be for them to study the origin of the universe with its billions of heavenly bodies, and come to the same conclusion as Paul, that “He is.”
They have not proved the non-existence of God, they have merely set Him, the Creator of all things, aside and contemptuously refused to admit His existence. Despite all their vaunted education, they will someday find out that, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” [Psalm 14:1]. It is said that “That there is none so blind as those who will not see.”
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT GOD EXISTS?
Basically, we accept the existence by faith, a faith that rests on what God has revealed about Himself in His Word, the Bible. But there are some other evidences which, when put together, gives a strong assurance of the existence of our God.
There is the ONTOLOGICAL argument. This is the science of pure being. Every human has the “idea of an infinitely perfect Being.” Where did we get this idea? Not from us because we are subject to finite limitations. It must have come from that Being Himself.
The COSMOLOGICAL argument states that every effect must have an adequate cause. This world is an effect. What is the adequate cause of its creation?
The TELEOLOGICAL argument is one that says, “Design demands a Designer.” We can look at everything from a house to a car and can reason correctly that someone, somewhere, planned and made it. It is extremely foolish to suggest that there is no design in nature, or the Universe.
The HISTORICAL argument looks at the place of God in the history of nations, buildings and music. Were all those people wrong in so honouring a Supreme Being?
The MORAL argument examines the fact that all people have a conscience, and a religious consciousness, not possessed by the animals. These were given to us by God.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork” [Psalm 19:1]
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE TOMORROW
It is pointless to complain about our government, if we don’t do our duty and vote.
