FROM THE PASTOR
God’s Kingdom – Light
We live in a world of darkness – a look at any news highlights this. When evil seems to triumph, when the guilty seem to get off scot-free and the victim seems to be the one on trial – then darkness also surrounds us – how can you see anything but? The good news is the Light still shines in the darkness; the light of Christ – and Christ, the light draws near to us. This is the only answer to a sin-darkened world. The kingdom of God, light and life are in God. And the sin which separates us from God has been taken away and placed on Jesus. Our uncertainties for others, self, don’t matter because we still know where we are heading. Our place is prepared for us and knowing our goal helps us through the twists and turns of life; even as we don’t know everything going on.
When great difficulties seem to face our state, our nation, we know that God in Christ is still in control. How do we know? Well I could ask you to read the Bible from cover to cover, Genesis right through to Revelation, but you could be there a while. How about I remind you of this over the past few weeks hearing God’s kingdom of light over darkness through his servant St Matthew. Over the last few weeks, we see how God in Christ is always in control; Jesus in the feeding of the 5000 plus people; Jesus’ rescuing Peter after stepping out of the boat; Jesus ridding the Canaanite’s daughter of demons; Jesus affirming Peter’s confession of who Jesus truly is – saying this is not something you, Peter, conjured up in your own mind, but revealed to you by God. St Matthew has many, many more wonderful examples of how God comes all the way down to us to provide, heal and save.
When great difficulties seem to face us personally, our affairs, the world, we know that God is still in control, just as He was when the darkness covered the land on the day our Savior died. And the God who is still in control has called us His dear children, and brought us into his kingdom of light and life by his grace – through baptising us, forgiving us, providing, loving and redeeming us all through Jesus Christ.
Even though Justice seems to be turned upside down sometimes, and darkness seems to win the day, we know that all things must serve for the good of God's children, and even death will bring us the blessing of being with our Saviour. In this way we are royalty; kings and queens in God’s kingdom, even now. May these truths rest with you this day and in the coming weeks and months ahead.
We Pray For:
† The church, that it would receive sinners with compassion and forgiveness.
† Those who have strayed from faith in Christ, that they would return.
† The enemies of the church, that they would receive God’s mercy.
† Those who live with anger and bitterness, that God would give them peace.
† Those who are ill at this time.
When great difficulties seem to face our state, our nation, we know that God in Christ is still in control. How do we know? Well I could ask you to read the Bible from cover to cover, Genesis right through to Revelation, but you could be there a while. How about I remind you of this over the past few weeks hearing God’s kingdom of light over darkness through his servant St Matthew. Over the last few weeks, we see how God in Christ is always in control; Jesus in the feeding of the 5000 plus people; Jesus’ rescuing Peter after stepping out of the boat; Jesus ridding the Canaanite’s daughter of demons; Jesus affirming Peter’s confession of who Jesus truly is – saying this is not something you, Peter, conjured up in your own mind, but revealed to you by God. St Matthew has many, many more wonderful examples of how God comes all the way down to us to provide, heal and save.
When great difficulties seem to face us personally, our affairs, the world, we know that God is still in control, just as He was when the darkness covered the land on the day our Savior died. And the God who is still in control has called us His dear children, and brought us into his kingdom of light and life by his grace – through baptising us, forgiving us, providing, loving and redeeming us all through Jesus Christ.
Even though Justice seems to be turned upside down sometimes, and darkness seems to win the day, we know that all things must serve for the good of God's children, and even death will bring us the blessing of being with our Saviour. In this way we are royalty; kings and queens in God’s kingdom, even now. May these truths rest with you this day and in the coming weeks and months ahead.
We Pray For:
† The church, that it would receive sinners with compassion and forgiveness.
† Those who have strayed from faith in Christ, that they would return.
† The enemies of the church, that they would receive God’s mercy.
† Those who live with anger and bitterness, that God would give them peace.
† Those who are ill at this time.