Newsletter #29

Dear Southcity

May I encourage you today to live in the same manner as Paul encourages the church to do when he says:

"But I say, walk by the Spirit... If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." - Galatians 5:16, 25.

In understanding our togetherness as 'church', as the people of God, it is important to grasp that the Spirit is not a part of God that we get after we have been established in the church, as though he could be something we choose to accept or reject as an additional blessing from our Father. While studying this week, I came across the following which I believe articulates this relationship so clearly:

The Spirit is not something that "animates" a Church which already somehow exists. The Spirit makes the Church be. Pneumatology does not refer to the well-being of the Church but to the very being of the Church. It is the very essence of the Church. (Zizioulas 1985:132)

So again, since our very being is dependent upon the Spirit giving us life through Christ, hence we live by the Spirit, I urge you to walk by the Spirit also.

Church, be strengthened and encouraged today that the Spirit who moved in power and overcame death in Christ's body and raised him to life, is the same Spirit who calls us to Jesus and to live in His power.

My prayer for you is that as we approach the Easter weekend, where we as Christians have a heightened focus around the pinnacle of our faith, where Jesus won forgiveness and victory over our sin and through his resurrection has offered us life, that we would experience and know the magnitude of our God's love for us, in His holiness, righteousness, grace, mercy and creative power.

Much love to you all.

Rich

Newsletter #28

Dear Friends

My heart is beating to the urgency of the coming Kingdom, where Jesus is Lord. These past few months have felt like an army march within me, as the prospect of taking new ground, which once lay on the horizon, over the past months and weeks, stares us face to face. The heart is pounding all the more excitedly, with a mix of nervous energy, adrenaline, and excitement, knowing that the enemy will attack, and attempt to derail, and  kill.

So hear I stand, and hear we stand, the horizon now just inches away, and two Scriptures shouting all the more loudly:

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" - 2 Peter 3:9

and:

"How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" - Romans 10:14-15

Church, partners in the gospel, friends, brothers and sisters, may I commission you, as indeed we have all been commissioned, to be ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). I have been sent, and my call is as clear today as it was 16 years ago, to preach the good news. I urge you, as one who  believes in the risen Christ and his salvation work and our promised inheritance, and in light of the coming Kingdom and the impending judgement of all mankind, to:

"Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame... Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full." - Luke 14:21-23

This Sunday, we have some incredibly exciting, albeit a little daunting, news to share with all of you. So allow these words to penetrate, to settle, to stir, to excite, to shake, to inspire and to lead, and come with anticipation on Sunday as we journey together.

May I also commend you church on your overwhelming generosity and care for the things of God's Kingdom. Under godly leadership and your generosity, we as a church are financially sound and able to sow into multiple gospel (preaching, caring, supporting) initiatives which are bearing fruit, and taking care of the needs of communities and families.

It is an absolute privilege to live, serve, and lead amongst you.

Much love and living in great anticipation for our together time on Sunday.

Rich