From the Pastor’s Pen – March 2008

In last Sunday’s sermon I stated the great promise given by Jesus Christ to us in John 7:38 “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Jesus tells us that we will be the “means” by which others will be satisfied. Jesus not only satisfies us but He uses us as His vessels to overflow into the lives of others. The point is that when we are filled with Christ our thoughts are not on our own satisfaction but rather on the satisfaction of others. Most present day Christianity is self-centered, churches are seeking to cater to what people want. Those looking for a church are asking: “What do you have to offer me?” People are so self-centered even when it comes to worship. Most believe that the sole purpose of Christ’s coming is to save them and satisfy them, nothing more or less. That is, of course, one purpose but there is more, the Holy Spirit comes to make us like Christ. What was Jesus Christ like? He was interested in others, in their needs and He was constantly seeking to meet their needs. God saves us so that we might do the same. Many Christians think that attending worship and prayer meeting is being totally committed but these are only one aspect of living the Christian life. There is so much more when it comes to effective ministry. We are called to reach out to others who need Christ. Each day we come in contact with people who need to know the truth, what God’s Word has to say about man and this world. This call to action is not based on spiritual gifts or personal interest but on the Great Commission. Jesus Christ has stood before His Church and said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” He does not make this an elective course of action, it is a clear command. He is telling each of us what our duty is, to be a disciple to the nations. He therefore expects all of us to obey His will without reservation or delay. It is sad that there is a lack of zeal for outreach in most churches. We cannot allow such to be true at Grace, to do so is to deny the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He came to save sinners and we are His vessels who are to be overflowing with the truth to sinners. We must not lose the hope that we cannot be used in this community. The gospel is the only hope that many in the community have. So we must be faithful in going to them with the gospel and reveal to them our love and desire for God to save them. We must ask ourselves some questions: “Is God working in my life?” “Am I repenting of sin?” “Am I building my life on Christ’s free justification and my sonship in Him?” “Have I ever done a single thing because I love Jesus? Or stopped doing anything because I love Him?” We need to do some soul searching. Renewal needs to take place in each of our lives so that it is evident that out of our heart flow rivers of living water. Let each one of us pray faithfully that this would be true in each of our lives.

Pastor Thomas Winn