On Sunday 3rd February 1788, just one week after the First Fleet anchored in Sydney Cove, Rev. Richard Johnson stood in the open air, under a large tree, to proclaim God’s word from Psalm 116.12:
“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?”
This was to be the first sermon preached on the continent but by no means the last. Johnson himself would labour for a further 12 years in “this poor wretched Country” to an audience who appeared to be ambivalent to the Gospel at best and hostile at worst. Nevertheless, John Newton viewed Johnson as the “Patriarch of the Southern Hemisphere”, a high commendation for a man who is often poorly portrayed in the history books.
We don’t have a record of what Johnson shared on that day, however I imagine the event itself would fit well into a third book from Luke the Physician. The book of Acts (which may well be considered 2nd Luke) begins:
“In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.” (Acts 1:1-2)
The implications of these verses are significant. If the first book (Luke) is an account of “all that Jesus began to do and teach” then it stands to reason that the book of Acts is the account of all that Jesus continued to do and teach following his death and resurrection. Furthermore, the book ends with the declaration that “this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles” (Acts 28:28) and yet there is no definitive closing statement. Again, the implication appears to be that although the book itself may have come to a close there is yet more unwritten that Jesus will do and teach.
By the time 1788 arrived the Gospel had spread from Jerusalem to the “end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Though it may not have appeared such a significant moment to those present it was nevertheless a significant moment in the history of the church. The Gospel had not only gone to the Gentiles but had reached as far as the island colony on the other side of the globe.
Johnson thus stands as our connection to the book of Acts as the message of Christ continues to spread and our risen Lord continues to do and teach according to his perfect purposes. 3rd February 1788 was no Pentecost event; neither did Johnson see great revival or awakening through his work; but it was most assuredly the work of Christ.
It may be fitting then that Johnson chose Psalm 116:12 as his text. Though we may have expected Acts 1:8 or perhaps even some analogy of the Promises Land, Johnson’s message was a reminder to himself and all those who would follow that it is not about us.
In response to the question “what shall I render” the Psalmist continues to speak of himself as a servant entrusted with the “cup of salvation”. There is nothing that we can offer to the Lord that might merit his favour or provide recompense for his sacrifice, but we instead are called to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, and to bear his message of salvation to all nations. Many who hear the message will be ambivalent or even hostile, but we must remember that Jesus has much yet to do and teach.
So we humbly submit ourselves as Johnson did, to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, as the story of our Lord continues to unfold before us and we await his return.
Come Lord Jesus,
Shane Gooch