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A student survey conducted at one of our local schools determined that young people see the church as being full of old people and pews. And they think that the pews have to go. There’s some good news in that survey, they didn’t say the old people should go, only the pews.
Think for a moment: How does their perception match reality?
We might immediately begin to defend the pews. They've been good enough for generations. They keep us awake. They haven’t killed anyone.
Or we might be offended that they’ve labelled us as old. We might argue that we’re not nearly as old as our grandparents were at the same age.
We might want to join James and John to ask Jesus whether we should call down fire from heaven and destroy them.
But before we get too defensive, these young people are crying out for the church to recognise and value them. They don’t think the church cares about them, they don’t think we care. They think the church is only interested in the people who’re already involved, which to them means old people.
I wonder whether they’re any different to those of any age who aren’t connected to our churches. Would the whole ‘unchurched’ and 'previously-churched’ community agree that we don’t care. Would they contend that we’re only interested in ourselves.
If we’re so busy polishing and defending our pews then they have to go. If there’s anything in our church that uses up our time at the expense of living our lives for Jesus then it has to go.
Even more urgently we have to go. Not leave the church, the community of God’s people, but go with the good news that because God loves and cares for every single person in this world so do we.
“As you go”, Jesus says, “make disciples of all nations.” Jesus cares about this because he has ‘skin-in-the-game’. He died for each and every one we encounter as we go about our lives.
How do we, as individuals and a church, need to change so that no one in our community will feel that we don’t care about them?
Producing Flowers 3rd Sunday during Lent Read: Romans 5:1-5 “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 (NIV)
I do enjoy gardening. Roses are my favourite. Growing roses in the Noosa climate is not easy as the humidity causes rust and the leaves brown easily. I bought a rose when arriving in Noosa after having had many roses in my garden in Loxton. I put it in a pot on my front porch, sheltered from the rain, but it gets morning sun and it just loves it there. All around the year I get not just one bloom, but sometimes eight to ten blooms on one stem. I have learned that it is in the right spot, to give it the right amount of water and fertiliser and I can be confident I will see results if I keep looking after it.
God loves each one of us. He has justified us which means that He has done the planting, the watering and the pruning of our lives and that because He has done it all, we get to bloom under His love. It was through the love of God that He sent His son to die on the cross for each of us and rise on the third day. Because of this we can bloom in heaven eternally with our heavenly Father. This is the hope we have and can live in. God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit to give us the ability to grow and thrive and be confident in the hope of eternal life.
God knows what each of us need to thrive and grow. He places us just where we need to be and gives us just what we need to encourage growth. It is easy to think that we know what to do and that we know better. I could try moving my rose to a new place or try not pruning it each year; but I have a feeling that would stop my beautiful flowers appearing. Persevere in your faith, allow yourself to be pruned and God in His love will produce some beautiful flowers in your life. God knows what is best for us – always!
Prayer: Merciful God and our loving Saviour Jesus Christ, you know what is best for me. Allow me to be shaped and pruned by you so that I can grow in your love and faith. Amen.
God’s Voucher 16th Day in Lent (Saturday) Read: Romans 4:18-25 “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” Romans 4:18 (NIV)
Gifting experiences or vouchers have been the new go-to for birthdays and other significant events. I lately had a larger birthday, and I was given a massage. That was very much appreciated. I also received a ‘Floatage’ (Float & Massage) for Mother’s Day. Some in my family have also received a cemetery tour, tickets to the movies and even gift cards worth a certain amount that can be used anytime for anything. All these sorts of these things have already been bought and given, and it is just up to the receiver of the gift to use!
Reading this Bible verse, it appears that God gave Abraham a voucher of ‘The Father of Many Nations’. The difference with this is that Abraham could see that the expiry date was well and truly over – Abraham one hundred years old and Sarah had well and truly gone through menopause. He tried to use his voucher too early (Hagar and Ishmael), but God reminded him it will all come in His timing. God never puts expiry dates on His vouchers of love and promise. Abraham needed to be reminded of God’s faithfulness and rely on His promise for Sarah did have a baby – Isaac! God has also given each one of us vouchers for our eternal life and that we have credit in righteousness. Jesus paid for our salvation once and for all and for all time.
God gave His only innocent son to pay the exorbitant cost for our sinfulness. Our sinfulness can only lead to eternal death and separation from God. But God in His love for all of us sent Jesus who paid for all our sins (past, present and future) for all time. This is our eternal life voucher. All we have to do is have faith and believe that God will do what He said He would. We have been washed clean and made righteous through our baptism. Now enjoy this incredible gift. This Lenten season remember that this gift has already been paid for – just bask in God’s goodness. God’s voucher never expires nor ever runs out!
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for giving me the experience of eternal life with you in Heaven. You have blessed me every day with your love and your promises, help me to appreciate your goodness. Amen. 2
Confident Hope 15th Day in Lent (Friday) Read: Acts 2:22-32 “David said about him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope… You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Acts 2:25-26, 28 (NIV)
There are some people who seem to have an eternal optimism. No matter what may be happening in their lives, whatever hardships may come, they seem to be able to shake it all off and know that tomorrow is another day and will be much better. In KYB (Know Your Bible) this last term we studied 1 Samuel. David had confidence that God was there with him when he went against the mighty Goliath with just a sling shot. He was confident that God would save him when a spear was thrown at him by King Saul and had armies sent out to kill him.
David had confidence that God would protect him to do all the things he had promised. And David did become King and was a ‘king after God’s own heart’. There are times when I feel that God is a bit slow on the uptake and maybe I should get in there and help God make all the promises to me come to fruition. But I do need to realise that God doesn’t need my help, He has everything under control and all I need to do is have faith and rest in the hope that God will do all He said He would. In Acts 2, we read that Peter referred to David’s words from Psalm 16:8-11.
Peter was talking to the crowds about Jesus who had died and was risen from the dead. The people of the times would have known the stories of David, so they could relate to what Peter was saying. Peter told them of David’s hope, which in turn had come true through Jesus Christ. We can also relate this to us. We live here on earth, but only for the days that God has given us. Then He has promised that we will be taken to live with our Heavenly Father for ever. This is the hope that we have as Christians, and we can be joyful and be confident like David. Be confident, our eternal hope is secure!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have battled death through your resurrection and won the victory for me. Let me live confidently in this hope of eternal life and be prepared to share this hope with others. Amen.