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
