The best of the good news first. Last Sunday two people came to faith and the Sunday before one person. Then during the last two weeks another seven people made a faith commitment to Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! We have been waiting for this for so long. God seems to think that we are ready to be used more in his kingdom. My estimate is that over the last twelve months there have been about 20-30 people who have come to faith through the ministry of Living Grace. Furthermore, we have shared the gospel far and wide with others beyond Toowoomba (Hopevale , Latvia South Africa
Living Grace is not a perfect congregation and there is room for improvement across the board. However, I hope that our newcomers feel welcome, find a small group and settle in our community. As I shared in our open congregational meeting a few weeks ago, my feeling is that John 15:1-8 is happening among us. There Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a person remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit … If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit … “
Over the last year we have been concentrating on knowing and doing the will of God, the deeper things of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We have (and I have in my preaching) taken more seriously the Word of God in the Bible and thus “remained in Jesus and his words remained in us”. Now as we are connected more and more to the vine of Jesus Christ fruit is coming forth according to his promise.
My intention is to pursue this further and keep focusing on the vine. The more our church grows in conformity to the Word of God and the reality of the vine, the more we will be effective towards others. For instance, there is more to learn about the way Jesus did ministry. He preached the kingdom of God
Living Grace is a church that is alive. Lots and lots of people are engaged and serving in many different capacities – often unnoticed. I want to say “thank you” to everyone and express my appreciation for a rich partnership in the Gospel.
Over the last weeks we were also able to rejoice over our confirmees, the visitors from Martin Luther Primary school, the youth service with Pastor Les Holmes, the baptism of Nicola Bernoth, … God be praised. Serving together with you. Love Edgar.
Living Grace is not a perfect congregation and there is room for improvement across the board. However, I hope that our newcomers feel welcome, find a small group and settle in our community. As I shared in our open congregational meeting a few weeks ago, my feeling is that John 15:1-8 is happening among us. There Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a person remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit … If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit … “
Over the last year we have been concentrating on knowing and doing the will of God, the deeper things of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We have (and I have in my preaching) taken more seriously the Word of God in the Bible and thus “remained in Jesus and his words remained in us”. Now as we are connected more and more to the vine of Jesus Christ fruit is coming forth according to his promise.
My intention is to pursue this further and keep focusing on the vine. The more our church grows in conformity to the Word of God and the reality of the vine, the more we will be effective towards others. For instance, there is more to learn about the way Jesus did ministry. He preached the Living Grace is a church that is alive. Lots and lots of people are engaged and serving in many different capacities – often unnoticed. I want to say “thank you” to everyone and express my appreciation for a rich partnership in the Gospel.
Over the last weeks we were also able to rejoice over our confirmees, the visitors from Martin Luther Primary school, the youth service with Pastor Les Holmes, the baptism of Nicola Bernoth, … God be praised. Serving together with you. Love Edgar.
2 comments:
Thankyou for sharing this encouraging news! May God indeed continue to use all of you over there in Toowoomba to expand his kingdom.
I will look forward to hear of your response to your question over time: "He preached the kingdom of God and at the same time always healed the sick and drove out unclean spirits. Is that the model for us even today?"
Dear Edgar,
I'm looking forward to your response as well! And, by the way, I like your idea of writing a weblog ... it gives me a chance to better keep in touch with Living Grace. Thanks!!!
Allow me to explain my thoughts about your question shortly.
In my opinion the mentioned concept IS the model for serving today. Jesus was able to preach and to heal people at the same time because his preaching in words and acts WAS healing. He went to the people’s places and in their lives. He knew about their situation and spoke to them with authority in their own language – simple to simple people, challenging to the educated ones, always concentrated on their individual needs and questions.
But how can we follow the example Jesus set? By becoming more human, aiming more for pastoral care and less for teaching in our sermons. Of course, teaching is necessary. But very often I receive the impression (over here in Germany) that sermons are an opportunity to instruct worshippers about theological insights. Intersting sometimes ... factual many times - but first and foremost people are longing for comfort and healing. They don’t need only facts but encouragement and confirmation as well as directed admonition or advices. They need empathetic and humble preachers who are willing to accompany them in going through valleys of doubting and suffering. And accompanying mustn’t stop in services, far from it!
Sorry, I’ve gone off the main question a bit. Can we do what Jesus did? Are we able to preach and heal at the same time? As preachers we have to trust in the Holy Spirit acting in people’s hearts and souls. So we also can be sure that in our weak human words Jesus’ powerful and healing words resound. They will and people will hear Him. But it’s important that we open up for healing and pray for healing words in writing and preaching sermons as we do in pastoral care.
Love & God bless
Sabine
Post a Comment