GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

As we come to the end of another school year, and the end of another Church season with the celebration of Pentecost, and the end (soon) of my ministry at Grace, I have a few reflections. It is good God gives us rest, a slower pace in the Summer, some Summer activities to look forward to enjoying. It is good God gives us Sabbath and seasons. He even gave retirement to the Levites, who worked from 20 to 50. Of course, work goes on for all of us. The six days and the one day are meant to be our rhythm and routine. Indeed, God gives us the day, which for many of us includes up to a third of the twenty four hour period in sleep or rest. God has always included rest and renewal into His programme, including Sabbath rest for crops and the land every seven years, and every fifty years, a jubilee year where all debts were to be cancelled. I don’t think Israel ever followed that law, but I would be happy to be directed to the Scripture that says they did. Of course, the exile to Babylon was a seventy year rest for the land, because they never did follow the Sabbath rest for the land and the Jubilees. 

What does matter in the end? People and the Word of God. People, unlike trees, garden products and yard waste are not compostable, even though I understand there are businesses cropping up in the U.S. that will compost you, instead of cremation and/or burial. Spiritually, people live on eternally. It is then only a question of whether you spend your eternity with the Lord or not. Choose to trust Jesus with your life, heart and desires and He will give you life. By His death and resurrection, we have what we could not give to ourselves, as long as we trust Him and confess Him. The Scripture says He will confess us as we confess Him, before the Father. (Rev. 3:5) People matter to God, and yet sometimes we put them in a higher place than the Word of God. We do this to our detriment, and invite strange theology, doctrines and practices where we put people first, certainly when we say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe…or what you do…” It does matter. Truth exists. Jesus is the One to guide us into all truth. Love is important too. Truth and love together is the best before God.

 As I am completing more than forty years of church leadership, I am reminded of the last words of Scripture:

 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Revelation 22: 18-21)

 

These are strong words about Scripture and the book of Revelation, lest we take it lightly or dismiss it, in part or in whole. Jesus is coming soon, even if we don’t know what “soon” means, accountability to Him is clear. Meanwhile, let us draw closer to the Lord Jesus Christ and invite others into closer relationship with Him. It may not fix all our challenges and problems, but knowing Jesus is the key to it all.

Blessings, and thanks for your care, support and love…

Pastor Jonathan