REPORT OF THE 2018 GAULBY FESTIVAL OF GRACE

2018 GAULBY FESTIVAL OF GRACE

 

On Saturday 8th September 2018 the annual Gaulby Festival of Grace was held at St Peter’s Parish Church, Gaulby in Leicestershire. The Gaulby Reformed Evangelical Anglican Fellowship upholds the doctrines of the English Reformers, subscribes to the Thirty Nine Articles of the Church of England and uses the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

 

The event was inaugurated in 2000 to proclaim and celebrate the gospel of grace, build up believers in their holy faith and encourage them in their Christian walk. It has become one of the most significant rural parish events in Leicestershire. The subject this year was ‘Godliness in the Life of Christians’ and more than eighty folk were present and blessed with excellent ministry and warm fellowship.

 

After the welcome and opening prayer the meeting began with an address from Romans 5:1-2 by Rev Maurice Roberts from Inverness on the subject ‘Justified by Faith’ where we were given a clear exposition of justification by faith alone. Scripture tells us that through Adam’s disobedience came sin, condemnation and death; but through the perfect life and atoning death of the second Adam, Jesus Christ, comes obedience, justification and eternal life. We were reminded that we are justified instrumentally through faith, meritoriously through Christ’s redemptive work on the cross which was proved sufficient by his resurrection, declaratively which is demonstrated by our good works, and emotionally which is seen in the joy that true Christians possess.

 

After a short break the next speaker was Roland Burrows, Pastor at Ebenezer Chapel, Old Hill (near Dudley). Speaking from Philippians 4:8 he gave an outline of ‘The Puritans’. He began by explaining the origins of the Puritans and followed this by outlining some of the characteristics of a Puritan life. These are their total conformity to Scripture, the value and independence of the individual, private reading of the Bible, their high view of preaching, the role of the mind and heart in conversion, the importance of prayer, the virtue of keeping a clear conscience, the importance of tolerance, the promotion of education for all, and their view of the Lord’s Day and worship. Although sometimes erroneously maligned the Puritans sought to live by the Scriptures and translate their beliefs into family life, society and the nation at large. Our nation could do with such ethics and morality today.

 

In the final address, ‘Godliness: Adding to Faith’, Rev Roberts showed from 2 Peter 1:5-7 that the Christian life of sanctification begins at conversion. To live the life that God requires Christians need to know what is right, they may have to suffer for their faith and they should grow in truth. To help us, believers have the assurance that the Scriptures contain great and precious promises, are sure, and were written by holy men inspired by the Holy Spirit.  To conclude we looked at the admonishments from Peter’s epistle for Christians to embrace seven important additions to their faith: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity (love). By the Holy Spirit’s enabling believers are able to do this and so lead God-honouring lives.

 

The event concluded by singing ‘Immortal honours rest on Jesus’ head’ and after the benediction there was the opportunity to visit the bookstalls and enjoy a delicious buffet tea which gave time for fellowship for those present to share what God is doing in the lives of His people.

 

Despite the spiritual darkness with which we are surrounded, we were nevertheless encouraged that God is still adding to His church, believers are growing in grace and Christians are shining ever more brightly in the perilous times in which we live. Those present left motivated to be better servants of Jesus Christ and living witnesses to His saving grace. We look forward to meeting once again at the 2019 Gaulby Festival of Grace on Saturday 14th September 2019 (God willing).