Our world needs the hope that is found in Christ alone! We have, in recent weeks, heard the reports of senseless, horrific mass killings, devastating hurricanes, earth quakes and more. It would be easy to feel overwhelmed and many in our world are asking “where is hope found?” I am more convinced than ever that hope, real hope, is found in Jesus Christ.
I don’t really believe in coincidences. I believe that many of the things that we write off as coincidence are really the working of the Holy Spirit. And so, I don’t think it is any coincidence that our church would be in the middle of a teaching series entitled “Real Hope” even as we are being barraged by wave after wave of heartbreaking news. I think this series could not be more timely or more important.
Our world is in desperate need of the hope, the real hope, that comes from a life changing relationship with Jesus. You and I have been blessed with a great gift. Somewhere along the way, someone loved us enough to share the Good News of Jesus with us. And particularly in these difficult times, that gift makes all the difference.
In last week’s blog, I began to talk about what makes Rock Church special. In that post, I celebrated that we are a church that recognizes that it’s not about us. Another thing that I believe is central to Rock Church is our passionate belief that everyone needs Jesus. Perhaps now more than ever, we realize how desperately our world needs the hope that comes from knowing Jesus. In difficult seasons like this, I also find that there is more of an openness to talk about Jesus. When surrounded by chaos and tragedy, people are looking for a firm foundation upon which to stand. Jesus is that rock amid shifting sand.
I would encourage us in these difficult times to do three things. First, shore up our own foundation. Be particularly intentional in keeping your spiritual foundation strong through daily prayer, weekly worship, lifegroups and the likes. Secondly, be all the more intentional in the sharing of Christ. People are seeking. It is very possible that someone who may not have been open to an invitation to worship in the past is more receptive today. Thirdly, PRAY. I raised up the idea a couple of weeks ago about coming out a bit earlier on Sunday mornings and spending some time to prayer together in our respective sanctuaries. This Sunday morning I will be praying in the sanctuary in Plaistow around 7:30, then in Sandown around 8:00, and again in Plaistow before the 11:00 service. I invite you to join me.
Before I sign off, I want to remind you that the Rock Run Raiser is just over 2 weeks away. If you haven’t registered yet, I hope you will. I will be running in it, and volunteering. The proceeds from this race will support a number of important causes. So I encourage you to “get dirty for good!” You can get more information or register at www.rockrunraiser.com