"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
I cannot begin to wrap my head around a man having his throat crushed by a police officer's knee, as he gasped his last breath and onlookers pleaded for his life.
I cannot begin to understand peaceful protestors being teargassed for a photo opportunity with a bible that remained unopened and unlived.
I cannot begin to fathom how, decades after the dialogue began, we still have to say 'black lives matter' as if it is somehow a new revelation.
"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." Could it be any clearer that every life is valued by God? If we live the opened bible, how can we tolerate prejudice and injustice?
Last Sunday, Julie spoke about The Parable of the Good Samaritan, which says "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’" I wonder how many times I have agreed with these words, but not truly lived them?
Where appointed leaders have failed, leaders have risen out of the crowd. This is the time to tell them all, that there is one man, one God, one leader who stands above us all. Jesus stood up for the poor, the weak, the misunderstood and the oppressed, even as the authorities conspired against Him. He can take much more suffering than you or I, and He did. He is kinder, he is stronger, and he is more fearless. His answers are not temporary, they will not fail, they are everlasting. He is the one you are looking for. Follow Him, be more like Him, and He will lead you home.
I pray that as individuals, as a church, and as a nation that we will show Christ through the way we live. I pray that leaders and influencers will hear the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. I pray that those in the battle for justice will know God's peace. And I pray that those who cannot stand up or defend themselves will see Your kindness, Lord.
"You're the light in this darkness,
You're the hope to the hopeless,
You're the peace to the restless..." Chris Tomlin - 'God of This City'.
Click play on the video below...
Communion and Worship
It is once again the first Sunday of the month - when we would normally take communion as a church. It is also a week after Pentecost. At this time the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and preaching boldly, but perhaps in their quiet moments they took the time to remember Jesus, as he had taught them just a few weeks before.
Charlie has recorded a medley of 'Mercy' and 'You Alone Can Rescue', to which I have added some scripture and lyrics. Kevin continues worship with another recorded song.
Please click here and join us in remembering our saviour and giving praise to him. If you wish to do this with bread and wine, now is the time to grab it.
Talk - Sharing Your Faith Part 4 (Invitation)
Kevin introduces the final part of J. John's talk, with a reading from Matthew 7: 21-29. Click here to listen.