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April message from the Ministry Team

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As April begins, we are still in the season of Lent, but at least some of our thoughts will be turning towards Easter - celebration of resurrection, preparations for school holidays, the reintroduction of presently-denied treats.  In the meantime, are we using well the opportunities the season of Lent affords us: a time to pause and reflect upon what the Lord wants from us, a time for listening to His voice and seeking His will? 

If you have been in one of my services over recent months, you will have heard me quote from Philippians 1:6 ‘He who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus’.  The day we go to be with Jesus or the day of his return, whichever comes first.  None of us, whether young or old, chronologically or spiritually, is beyond His call.  What is God calling us to?  Maybe it is to come to faith in Him.  Maybe He is calling you to a new area of service, to take up new responsibilities, to attempt new things.  Maybe the Lord is challenging us to stop, reflect on where we are and what we are doing.

God does not call us to rush in, but He does call us to listen and discern, to know the ‘kairos’ moment, the time which is right for and He expects us to respond.

The ministry of the Lord Jesus is the prime example of the Kairos moment.  Setting aside the glory of heaven, being found in appearance as a human being and dying a criminal’s death (Philippians 2:6-8), Jesus chose self-emptying, self-humbling, deliberately setting Himself on the road of self-denial, even unto death.  Not death by dying peacefully in old age, not by drowning during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, but death on a Roman cross for the sin of the world.  Why did Jesus do this?  He looked at God the Father and HHHe looked down through history at you and me and He loved us and for obedience’s sake, He held nothing back!

As we move through April, we come to the significant events of Holy Week, which start with Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem and end with His death and a cold tomb, with a large stone rolled across it.  And the story could end there.  We could end with our God loving us so much that He died.  We could live as ‘Good Friday’ people.  God has loved us in Jesus, He promised so much and we hope for so much, but He died.  But that was Friday, Sunday was coming!

Easter Day!  Christ is risen!  It is more than chocolate, school holidays, daffodils, it is the celebration of all celebrations!  The living God makes the difference for our lives and for the world.  We are called to proclaim Jesus Christ, to live a life worthy of Him and to make good choices.

Every blessing

Rev Andrew


PS Listening to and responding to God is not just for Lent but for life.
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