Forward Together

(originally posted to Airdrie Ebenezer Evangelical Church 29th March 2020)

It’s often said that we never really appreciate what we have until we lose it. That could certainly be said for many of us in recent days. Suddenly we’re unable to shake hands, leave our homes, meet with others, buy toilet roll!.. 

 These are unprecedented circumstances which present unprecedented challenges. As elders we’ve been in constant discussion and prayer as to how the Church might be found faithful and fruitful in Christ’s service in these strange days. Maybe outlining some of our considerations as leaders would be helpful.

 

A People of Peace

 As believers in the Lord Jesus we have nothing to fear. As Jesus was preparing his disciples for the frightening reality of his own death he promised them that they would not be left alone- they would receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus then said:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

That same Spirit is with us today. He is more than able to comfort us and bring the presence of Jesus to bear in our lives. 

Jesus is still with us by his Spirit and God is still Sovereign. These may be unprecedented times for us, but the God who has seen Kingdoms rise and fall -our God- is still on the throne. We rest in that knowledge today, tomorrow and always.

We also have a real opportunity to bear witness to the freedom from the fear of death that is ours in Christ Jesus at this time.

 

A Community of Love

The Church ought to be a community of love. In this strange season (and it is only a season) loving others means changing the way we serve together for the gospel. Keeping our distance from each other, meeting less often, not shaking hands seems to cut to the very heart of who we are as a loving Church family- but it is the best way to curb the spread of this virus and therefore to love the most vulnerable in our society. It allows us to show our respect for the authorities God has put in place while loving our neighbour as ourselves. It ought to drive us not ultimately to Whatsapp or to Facebook -or to despair! But to our knees in prayer for each other, for our community and for our world.

Making it personal

May I close by encouraging all of us to remember the appeal of the apostle Paul: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

And also to think prayerfully about how you can best serve those in need at this time in the name of Christ Jesus.

Yours in Christ’s service

Ross

Coming Soon!

 

Today Lanarkshire moves into tier 4 of lockdown restrictions (the highest level in Scotland). After so many months of rules and regulations, it’s something no one is looking forward to. 

2020 has been a difficult year. And yet in the struggles and the sorrows there have been causes to be grateful, even joyful too. We’ve spent a lot more time in our houses and yet we’ve been able to say with Paul (who was not in lockdown- but was literally locked-up for his Christian faith!)

“But God’s Word is not chained!”

People have been drawn to church for the first time in a long time, or the first time ever, growth in grace has taken place and we’ve learned how to adapt to new forms of fellowship.

At Airdrie Ebenezer we’ve used Zoom, WhatsApp and our Church blog more than ever before. It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged regularly on my own personal blog, so I thought I might begin to post the devotional articles I write on the Church blog up here too.  

Keller on the Christian Gospel

'The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and snivelling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself or less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less.'

— Tim Keller, The Reason for God