Pastor's Monthly Message
Pastor’s Peace
Dear Friends
Someone once said that faith is spelt R-I-S-K. There is no other way for God’s people to be than to live, breathe and exercise faith every moment of every day the Lord causes us to tarry here on Earth. We must be risktakers, or else we will become caretakers and end up as undertakers! What are the key aspects of this R-I-S-K? How will it change our lifestyle and priorities?
Firstly, it’s Relational: The Gospel is about relationships from start to finish. Our relationship with God – having been restored through Jesus and the Cross we must prioritise its freshness and growth above all things. From our friendship with God all other relationships fruitfully flow. Our relationships with each other come next, especially our marriages, our families (including honouring of parents), and the local Christian family of which we are a part (small group and Sunday worship). The world needs to “see how these Christians love one another” and be challenged by our unity, “that they might be one, so that Canterbury may believe” (John 17v21). Our relationships with those who are not-as-yet Christians are also of vital importance; otherwise we are divorcing ourselves from the reason we have been left here on planet Earth. Ambassadors, reconcilers, peacemakers and witnesses are just a few of the callings God lays on the life of every believer. How many non-Christians are you relating to? And have you a prayerfully sought, clearly worked-out, godly strategy to see them become born again? This is a RISKy business!
Secondly, it’s Incarnational: Father God’s strategy worked out uniquely through his Son Jesus was to come amongst those He loved in person and stand in their shoes. He didn’t hold evangelistic missions in the Temple, nor did He threaten ordinary people with the thunderbolts from Heaven; He simply came and met people where they were and at point of need. Such a strategy needs to be rediscovered by us as the Body of Christ today. Every one of us will have countless opportunities to stand alongside people and offer grace-filled no-strings-attached support and help in Jesus’ name. The key challenge is whether we will take such opportunities…”whatever you do to the least of these my brothers, you do it unto me”. Sounds somewhat RISKy to me!
Thirdly, it means co-operating with the Sovereignty of God: Psalm 139v13-16 and Jeremiah 1v5 grip our hearts as we recognise the incredible Hand of Almighty God in our lives, even before conception, the perfect plan He has for every one of His loved children, and the way in which He never gives up on us, however far we stray through sin and rebellion. “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be”; so the Lord knows exactly what will happen and when, as we share Jesus with others! Stuart Townend in “In Christ Alone” sums it up: Jesus commands my destiny! This doesn’t mean that I can resort to spiritual autopilot but it does remind me that God the Holy Spirit is doing His “hidden” work, and that’s what ultimately counts, rather than my efforts, be they good or not so good. My calling is to be FAITHful in sharing. It would be RISKy not to do so….
Finally, it’s Kingdom-motivated: what was it Jesus said? “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the good news!” (Mark 1v15). God’s strategy is the re-establishing of His kingly rule here on Earth as in Heaven. It is a strategy that goes out from the Cross with the all-consuming sole purpose of winning every man, woman, boy and girl in the world back into a living relationship with God. Does it include denominational groupings? It may do if such groupings add to the effectiveness of sharing that good news and extending the Kingdom – if not, they are a positive hindrance. Does it include local churches? Yes, if they are inclusive of all believers in a given area (i.e. the Church in Canterbury); no, if they are pride-filled and exclusive, living in monastic-like isolation. Kingdom people do not look to build large local churches; they keep sending people out. Kingdom people sow the seed of the Gospel at every opportunity with no expectation that it should be them who should reap. Be a Kingdom person! It’s RISKy, but it’s the way it’s meant to be.
As we move together in Unity according to the unfolding purposes of God St Andrews will be experiencing some risky periods over the next few years, so join me in praising God in advance for giving us new opportunities for growth and obedience.
Yours in the Saviours Love
Pastor David