This Sunday we are going to be out in the community making a difference! On Sunday just been, I explained why doing this is central to the gospel; why rejuvenating a playground is part of Jesus plan to restore the world - to make everything new in Him. We believe that whatever we do for the name of Jesus will somehow last and become part of the New Creation, where everything will be the way it is supposed to be (heaven on earth).
But it's not only the playground that we are building on Sunday - it is the relationships between each other. It is the good that will result from the playground being safer, tidier and nicer. It is the way it will create happiness and goodwill in the community. It is the way we are approaching a broken world and a disjointed community and showing that "Jesus is Lord" by fixing something that is broken, making new something that is old. That is what Jesus did when he was on earth and what the church is doing until he comes back to finish the job.
Of course once every 6 weeks is not the only time the church should be doing this. In fact, what we are doing is really aimed at helping us understand that this is the way we are to understand our place in the world. As Christians we often aren't sure how to relate to the world. Should we be telling people off for swearing. Should we be avoiding people who are 'bad'? Should we be preaching to them about Jesus? If nothing else, we are called to be salt, light and the presence of Jesus amongst them. In short, we are to be a blessing, to make things right around us. To do good where we can, in the belief that it isn't wasted effort, that God is reclaiming the world through the church and that He is Lord.
If you heard me preach on Sunday, you would have seen that I am very passionate about this. This is important to me, because I spent many years as a Christian feeling unsure of how to understand my place in the world - in my job, social circle and wider society. I always felt like I was supposed to be different in some way, but often made the mistake of thinking I had to oppose the world in some way. Now I realise that the call on the people of God has always been to be a blessing (Genesis 12.2-3, Eph.2.10).
So, remember to wear work clothes, not your best jeans. Meet at the church at the usual time and we will work together for a bit, have a BBQ together and then if there's anything to finish off, hopefully a few wil stick around to finish it off. There will be some easy work for the kids to do too! If a few people could bring their painting clothes, then they will be able to do some painting!
Doesn't it feel great to be doing something that gives Jesus good publicity for a change?
Ben
Ben this is really inspiring, if this is the way you preached Sunday, wow. I regret to say that David and I wont be available however if it rains what will that mean. Will it be put off for another Sunday? Please let us know would love to be apart of this - being the hands and legs of Jesus
ReplyDeleteIf it rains we will have to do a more normal sunday service and see how many are keen to get the job done in the rain in the afternoon. we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But don't worry, we aim to do one of these every six weeks.
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