Living Faith (part two - violence of the heart - Matthew 5:21-26 & 38-48)

Jesus said that he came to fulfil the law (Matthew 5:17), indicating that Jesus himself would bring full meaning to the law. Jesus would extend the implications of the law right into our hearts – the centre of our attitudes, motivations and decision-making. The law against the act of murder would extend into a challenge toward the anger that we harbour internally. If we want to ensure that we don’t commit murder, then we need to deal with the anger residing inside of us. Anger in itself is a natural emotion, and sometimes is most understandable considering was has been inflicted upon us. Yet it must be dealt with before the point where it causes us to sin. In Ephesians 4:26-27 we read, “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil”. One of the ways to deal positively with anger is to forgive the one who has offended us (whether or not they have said they are sorry). Here we take note of the forgiveness offered by Jesus from the cross for all those who unjustly put him there (Luke 23:34). We should, where at all possible, and where it is not going to put us in personal danger, to reconcile with people with whom we have had problems with. Paul said in his Romans letter, “If it is possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all” (12:18). The opposite of this of course is the breaking out of open conflict. When animosities and conflicts are allowed to get out of control, tragedy is not far away! Christians can be criticised for their angry even violent behaviour, which gives the Jesus cause a very bad name … which should just NOT be the case. In fact, if we conclude that “by their fruits you shall know them” (Matthew 7:20), then we might conclude that the person known for their angry and violent behaviour just could not possibly be a Christian (for this is so contrary to the Jesus they are meant to be following)!! Being a “peacemaker” (Matthew 5:9) means also getting involved when others are angry (either with us or with others), hoping and praying that harmony can be restored. Jesus teaches that this should be given a high priority – that even our own worship should be interrupted in the crucial pursuit of peace.

When we come to Jesus, any thoughts of revenge are now out-of-bounds! “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” was brought in to the legal code to make sure that punishment did not go beyond what was reasonable for the crime committed. The punishment for the offender was to fit the loss incurred by the victim … AND NO MORE! This was the first attempt at challenging a revengeful attitude. Jesus takes this even further to make sure that we never take the law into our own hands, or, more to the point, take over God’s role as judge. Jesus followers will never fight violence with violence, nor exacerbate conflict, but rather live in a way that promotes the restoration of peace. Sometimes this will require sacrifice, that seems to bring us personal pain and loss – yet it is in the greater cause of community peace. Jesus is saying that we shouldn’t let fear or insult or material possessions or our legal rights or personal inconvenience, get in the way of restoring a relationship. Did Jesus really mean this? Well, the fact that Jesus himself lived this out, makes me think ‘yes’! Think about when Jesus was arrested, and think about his willingness to suffer the worst of deaths. What about when our country is attacked, or our family is under threat, or we ourselves are in danger!?! How do we apply this teaching? As much as possible … with non-violent resistance! ‘Turning the other cheek’ does not mean becoming an easy victim, but rather indicates taking a stand that will call attention to the abuse in such a fashion that the abuser will recognise the futility of their actions (Walter Wink / Michael Hardin). At the very least when pushed, surely we seek to do the most good, while inflicting the least harm … or if you like, the least of the possible evils! I would argue that there is no such thing as a “just war” (for war can never be just), but only the lesser of certain evils. War can never be meritorious or commended, because it tears away at the heart of God. This call to be a peacemaker leads to the natural conclusion of loving one’s enemies (or those that are somehow considered our enemies), for we can’t truly be a peacemaker without looking at people in a new and more gracious way. This is our greatest test – if we want to truly be a child of God, we have to find a way to love our enemies. This includes those who have persecuted, offended and hurt us, as well as those that we think threaten our well-being. Our required love of neighbour is extended to everyone – to all those that God offers indiscriminate love and life-giving mercy.

Living Faith (part one - Matthew 5:1-12)

What is significant about Jesus going up a mountain to speak with the people???

This resembles Moses going up Mount Sinai to receive God’s commandments. To the largely Jewish audience that Matthew was writing for, this would be most significant. This would mean that Jesus would be giving new meaning to the teachings of old. Where certain interpretations had gone astray, Jesus would be returning people to the basics. Jesus spoke to this a little later at verse 17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfil”. Jesus was going to point to the ultimate meanings of what they had previously been taught. It would actually be in the very life of Jesus that the ways of God would be truly revealed! Examples of this will be found right through verses 18 to 48. Jesus would get behind the letter of the law right to where people’s hearts were at. So the law against murder would stretch to any heart attitude that allowed anger toward another person to persist (where this would likely have a negative outcome). Also, it was now time for the good ways of God to be shared with the rest of humanity across the world (starting with Jesus’ disciples).

And in Jesus sitting down???

This is what a respected rabbi would do … sit down to speak important truths.

This teaching was for everyone (the “crowds”), but not everyone would listen … just “disciples” – those that would come under the discipline of Jesus.

Jesus commences with a series of statements regarding the basic lifestyle, inner attitudes or character traits that need to be embraced if one is to be a follower of Jesus and to be able to live out their faith in God with credibility. If we are to be the sort of salt and light that Jesus goes on to talk about later (in verses 13 to 16), then here is the beginning point.

There is also here various promises of “blessing” for those who live in a certain way. The Greek word is makarios, generally translated “blessed”. This means – being fulfilled, endowed with (distinctive) spiritual joy and peace, experiencing God’s grace and presence. This “blessing” is not only what will be perfected later, but also what is available now!

The nature of this “blessing” is covered in each of the second parts of the verses … “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” etc. Therefore this blessing will take the following forms:

·        being a participant in what God is doing within his reign,

·        receiving comfort,

·        inheriting the earth (or, land) – this draws upon the close connection between the Israelite peoples and their land, whereby their sense of well-being with their land was connected to the closeness of their relationship with God … so the particular “blessing” here, is experiencing well-being and spiritual fulfilment on earth and in our communities,

·        being filled with those things that are most necessary and that lead to God’s glory,

·        receiving mercy,

·        experiencing the intimate presence of God, being regarded or deemed to be so like God that we are his children, and,

·        being vindicated in heaven for our (righteous) sufferings on earth (the “reward” of verse 12).

So there are certain characteristics that bring about such “blessing” as this:

Being “poor in spirit” – this means basically a humility that allows us to see ourselves properly, where our failings lie, and how much we need God. Rather than self-dependence, this leads us toward God-dependence. In this way, we are in the position where God can work on us – unrestricted by pride or self-seeking agendas or material possessions. The world honours power, wealth and status (unfortunately), but God honours those who seek Him in their powerlessness, poverty and simplicity. This means that we are open to learn, that we are prepared to listen, that we are teachable.

Being prepared to “mourn” – this is akin to being prepared to regret and repent, especially where there has been hurt to other people. This is about making amends where possible and certainly seeking to change for the better. Also, where burdens are carried by others, we see these as our burdens as well. This is also about being emotionally open (wearing our hearts on our sleeve) and being vulnerable, rather than covering up our pain and suffering as if it didn’t exist, and thus closing ourselves off to others.

Being “meek” or “gentle” – being “meek” is, of course, not at all about being weak, nor being passive, but rather about showing spiritual strength through gentleness. This involves being sensitive to the dynamics occurring around us, aware of a wide range of possible feelings and opinions. This means being a ready supporter and encourager, able to bring careful responses into conflicted situations. This is also about one being under self-control, better … under God-control, where forks in the road and various difficulties are dealt with through growing maturity and calmness.

Being hungry & thirsty for the important things and being hungry & thirsty for God – it is often those that desire something the most, therefore go after it the most, that get where they want to go. Hunger and thirst take us to the edge, where we are desperate for satisfaction. This is about being fully committed and focussed, never wishy-washy nor half-hearted. Such a person is not easily diverted, but rather is thoroughly involved in the mission of God and the defeat of injustice. Such a one as this will receive all that they need from God to attain the “righteousness” they desire.

Being “merciful” – this is the path to experiencing mercy for ourselves. Just like we read later in the “Lord’s Prayer”, the forgiveness of God only applies to those who are willing to be forgiving to their neighbour. Where we have been personally offended makes offering mercy difficult, yet this remains the way to our own freedom. Bitterness and unforgiveness will destroy our own soul. Harbouring resentment or ill-will towards others (both those that we know, and also those that we don’t know and generalise about) demeans us and dishonours God. Mercy often depends upon being willing to wear someone else’s shoes, and imagining what life might have been like for them. This is about being non-judgemental and not giving in to destructive generalisations. To be merciful is to have a naturally occurring compassionate reaction to suffering of any kind. This might also promote what we might call practical mercy, i.e. offering a helping hand.

Being “pure in heart” – this refers to our motivations, goals, attitudes, priorities … all the internal workings that lead to the decisions, actions and words that follow. This is about being truly in harmony with God’s grace and God’s ways. This is to see things purely as God sees things. Evil and darkness is to be rejected, and light is embraced. Worthless pursuits are shunned, while the treasures of heaven are pursued. This is to be honest, prayerful, a regular searcher of scripture, a sincere and consistent worshiper. The deepest motivation is likely to be others seeing Jesus in us.

Being a “peacemaker” – this is not just a believer in peace, but also an active participant in actually making peace … within all relationships, and breaking any negative cycles of abuse. This includes being a reconciler … a person who tends to bring individuals, groups and communities together, out of disharmony and into a pursuit of common and worthy goals. You cannot initiate or perpetuate conflict and truly be a child of God. Again, this stands in stark contrast to the way the world generally operates, through the corruptions that have arisen over time, that have led to such a mindset of revenge and reprisal. And, of course, very effective peace-making will be facilitating people in reconciling with their Creator.

Enduring persecution without denying God – we know that life, and maybe even especially the life of faith, brings extreme testing and deep challenges. John Stott wrote that, “Persecution is simply the clash between two irreconcilable value systems”. The trick is to endure and grow through these occurrences while appreciating that God dwells in our trials and is enduring with us. In this way, rather than rejecting or denying God, or giving in to certain adverse cultural norms, we actually become more certain and more faithful. It is those on the edge (out of their comfort zone) sharing their faith (against the tide) – thus likely to face persecution of some description – who will experience a special measure of God’s presence and enabling effectiveness.

Fair to say in conclusion that we are all works in progress. In one way we should be gentle on ourselves and realise that the Spirit of God is doing a slow work of transformation on us. But in another way we should be discontent, looking for ways of expediting this growth curve toward living in the image of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

Sharing Our Faith - a workshop

Quote from John Dickson

Our friends and neighbours live and breathe in the presence of the greatest Lord. Yet, they do not know it. We, the people of the Lord, who know God’s majesty over heaven and earth, must stand up on the bus, so to speak, and, in whatever way is appropriate to our gifts, personality and circumstances, promote God’s glory.

Quote from Charles Spurgeon

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.

Factors in Sharing Faith

(1) LOVING GOD – We need to be people who have responded to God’s love and grace by loving God in return. It is difficult to truly love our neighbour, because of all the quirkiness and points of difference that generally exist, without first loving the God who loves them. We cannot separate the two elements of the greatest commandment given by Jesus in the Gospels (loving God and neighbour)! Effectively sharing faith depends upon living with Jesus in the centre of our being. When this is the case, sharing faith becomes more and more natural! However, without Jesus in the centre, there is often too many conflicting agendas (or inconsistencies within us) for our faith to be shared with any authenticity.

(2) BEING BURDENED – We need to have a burden for people who don’t know Jesus at least to the point where we are prepared to make sacrifices so that they might experience Jesus. To say that people need to know Jesus, or that it’s a shame that they don’t know Jesus … is not enough! We must be prepared to be part of the solution – part of the seed sowing process. We as a community formed around Jesus, need to continue to paint an informed picture of community need. We should also assume that people will not hear about Jesus unless we tell them, and won’t accept Jesus unless we help them. The early disciples had great success because they really cared about the welfare of their community.

(3) GOOD VISION – We should learn to see other people as Jesus sees them! We should see past any behaviour, language or belief system (without being repelled) knowing that God loves this person.

(4) DEALING WITH FEAR – Each of us probably have concerns about being embarrassed or ridiculed or rejected or losing friends when we share our faith. However we need to address this fear with a reminder of our responsibility to not allow another person to live on without knowing about Jesus. God being important to us means that God would also be important to the lives of others. There will be no reaping or harvesting without sowing!

(5) BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS – We should see life, and the life of the church, as an opportunity to build relationships with people from our neighbourhood. We start this process through simply being positive and helpful people and offering helpful and engaging activities. We can also become sort of “go to” people … people that can be relied upon (literally ‘good neighbours’). We have to earn people’s trust. We build relationship credits with people by showing we are interested in them, performing simple acts of kindness, and meeting their needs in practical ways. In starting to think about how we might build relationships with people, Dennis Pethers suggests, “Do something you love and take Jesus with you”. Dennis himself joined a gym, and was sure to take Jesus with him. When we do start to share life with certain people, we should check on ourselves that we don’t leave the faith part out! They may find our stories of faith far more interesting than we think.

(6) HUMILITY – We should abandon attempts to exert power or control over people; rather assuming the position of a co-traveller (searching for meaning and purpose). We should never try to argue a person toward faith … this can be very counter-productive. This does not mean that we can’t be confident or assured about what we believe for ourselves. But we should be wary of trying to sell a message which does not really ring true (or appear to work) in our own lives as yet. Rather, we should correctly represent ourselves as ‘works-in-progress’ – this being much more accessible anyway for others than any pretence of having it all together.

(7) BRIDGE-BUILDING – We are seeking to build a bridge for another person between where they are and Jesus. But we do not stand on our side and try to drag them over, but rather join them on their side and seek to walk over with them. This is what Jesus himself modelled in his own incarnation – to become known to us he came to our place! So we don’t begin with a pre-prepared package of doctrines – most people these days will have no idea what we are talking about anyway. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Bridge-building starts with listening long and hard to other people.

(8) NATURAL SHARING – Although the Gospel message has a particular and unique focus, we should not just seek to share what we might consider to be undeniable facts. We should honour where other people are at, on the basis of their own particular journey of life. We should listen to their stories, and seek to understand their reservations, doubts and points of disagreement. We should simply seek to share the journey of life, and draw attention to our faith as we share about our particular experiences. We should listen well for nuances of conversation that lend themselves to faith sharing. And finding ways of encouraging others often provides a positive opening.

(9) PRAYER – We should pray for new opportunities to arise, and for the powers of good listening and wise responding in those opportunities. Having prayed we should be expectant for what God will do! God can bring about an encounter, and prepare the other person for it. And we should trust God for the outcome … God is with us!! Through the knowledge of God’s presence with us, our confidence should build. It could be that someone asks us why we live the way we do, or why we hold particular beliefs. These questions could arise out of our serving attitude. We should also pray that we might be able to respond graciously when treated unkindly … for the sake of witnessing to the Jesus who taught us to love our persecutors.

(10)                    TELLING OUR STORY – We should practice (or rehearse) our own faith story, and consider how various elements of this might connect with the situations of others. For example, our sense of forgiveness may connect with another’s sense of guilt. My own faith story is about the search for meaning and purpose in life more so than a sense of sin or guilt. There are many people who have no sense of sin or lost-ness, therefore other initial points of connection will need to be discovered. These could include: dissatisfaction with the world, loneliness, grief, family concerns, work issues, health, etc. Just about every point of discussion has a faith element to it (or a connection to the Gospel story)! We should especially focus on what God is doing in our lives now … which is far more relevant and poignant than ‘ancient history’! What difference is God making in the present? How is God currently responding to our prayers?  God wants to use each of us as we are. God wants to use you as you! We shouldn’t try to be something or someone we are not. In fact, it could be how we are dealing with our vulnerabilities and sufferings that has the most impact, and lays the best groundwork for faith-sharing. Let’s practice!

(11)                    GOOD IMPRESSIONS – We should at least achieve the other person gaining a better understanding of God than they had before. Also, what we know to be “good news” should certainly be conveyed (and hopefully appreciated) as ‘good news’. We should seek to express joy, thankfulness, hope and peace. Then, our story may be seen as an ‘alternative vision of life’, especially for those who are struggling. Also, having heard a person’s need, we can offer to pray for them.

(12)                    PATIENCE – We don’t need to make huge strides or jump big chasms straight away – we need patience. We should not expect or even look for immediate response – in most cases finding Jesus is a process. Too often we give up too early because of a lack of response, failing to understand the often strangeness being experienced by another person. This is becoming more and more the norm, as more and more people have never really heard about Jesus. We may also be just one link in a much longer chain of people who will share their faith with a particular other person. We might only be one link, but we don’t want to be the “missing link”!

(13)                    GOOD SUPPORT – Any person considering a big change to their life, like accepting Jesus brings, needs support. They are perhaps most concerned what other family members and friends might think. Also, if someone does want to accept Jesus in our presence, help them pray their own prayer from their own heart in their own words, rather than giving them set/prepared words; for it is important that a person owns their own faith statements (and not borrow them from others).

(14)                    EDUCATING OURSELVES – When we are asked a question we can’t immediately or satisfactorily answer, we should be prepared to say that we don’t know and that we’ll seek to find out (rather than uttering some trite or unhelpful nonsense). When we have become more informed, we can then gently come back to a person with some responses to their question. There are some often raised intellectual objections or ‘belief blockages’ that making sharing our faith very difficult. This is why we are progressively showing the series of DVD presentations towards belief that respond to these often heard ‘belief blockers’ (and we have already looked at suffering, the bible and issues around a supernatural, miracle-working God). Also, participating in reflective and interactive bible study helps us know more about the faith we follow.

(15)                    SUPPORTIVE NETWORK – We should take the time to HONESTLY share with one another how we are going with this faith-sharing – the good and the not so good. In this way we can draw support, ideas and prayer.

(16)                    WELCOMING CHURCH – No one will survive as a Jesus-follower for long without loving and supportive Christian community. We must always factor in being a welcoming church to all comers, and have gatherings that hold some relevance for people at all stages on the faith journey. Churches should be places where people can happily invite and bring their friends and family.

Embracing Faith (Hebrews 11 & 1 Corinthians 15)

Faith is something to be grasped and embraced. Faith is available to us, made available by a loving God who desires to have a relationship with each of his created beings. So, in one way, faith is a gift; but in another way it is something that has to be given life to … by us. We each have to come to that place where we actively believe in God and dedicate ourselves to God’s cause. So, while faith is about believing, it is also about being prepared to put that set of beliefs into action. Real faith is never passive, it is ‘active obedience’, and it is deep personal commitment. Faith concerns all of the directions of our lives. Our faith in God becomes the centre of our being, and the central point of all our decision-making.

However, faith is not necessarily easy to embrace; for it is largely based on what we cannot see (turning to Hebrews 11). We are dealing with realities for which there is no direct material evidence (which of course is the whole point of faith). While we cannot physically see or touch God, faith is based on a different sort of sight. We can start to see behind the obvious and beyond the material – to ‘what’ (actually ‘who’) lies behind all that exists. This is possible through the witness of those who have come before. As we reflect on what they have passed on to us and also on God’s written word, and as we start to sense God’s faithfulness to humanity – then we can become convinced of the “things not seen” (as referred to in Hebrews 11:1).

At the same time as we embrace the concept of faith, and take a few trusting steps forward, God will be revealing himself to us in a variety of ways; and we have the eyes to see that what is happening is special and unique and different from the norm. For God is not contained by the natural laws of the universe … after all it was God who put these in place. Faith is not necessarily contrary to human knowledge nor scientific understanding, but rather reaches further and digs deeper. So we have an inkling that God exists, and that God might be interested in us – we have a hope that this would be the case, and that life might really have meaning. Faith makes such hope as this a certainty; we now carry an inner certainty about this hope (Hebrews 11:1).

As Larry Richards comments: “Faith is confident expectation that what we cannot see is more solid and real that the material universe”. Richards goes on, “When you and I realise that God is the ultimate reality, and act on this conviction, we have a faith which makes a difference in our life, and will enable us to triumph”. But what is the centre of this faith in God? What is it specifically that makes all the difference to our lives?? What was it that God’s loving grace produced to make faith so beneficial … so beneficial that it leads to salvation?

I think it is best summed up by Paul in the first few verses of 1^st Corinthians chapter 15. It is on this that our faith stands; and it is through this that we are being saved (1 Cor. 15:1-2)! This is of “first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3a), this is the foundation … a group of happenings that form the centre of our faith. First is that Jesus died for our sins; which was previously indicated in the Hebrew Scriptures, and which also makes sense of all that has been revealed in scripture (1 Cor. 15:3b). There was the need for this act to once-and-for-all deal with our guilt and shame, so that we could have a fresh go at life. Secondly that Jesus was buried – noting for us that Jesus certainly died and was laid in a tomb (against all suggestions otherwise); if Jesus was to reappear then certainly this was a miraculous God-inspired resurrection (1 Cor. 15:4a). Thirdly that Jesus indeed, true to his own statements, was raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:4b). And fourth is that Jesus appeared to hundreds of people who have given testimony to this wonderful happening (1 Cor. 15:5-8). Some of Jesus’ first disciples did initially struggle with this concept of resurrection, but with some prompting and with eyes willing to see, they eventually changed the world because they knew with certainty that Jesus lived again.

The resurrection of Jesus means that suffering and death do not have the last say about human life. The resurrection of Jesus means that God has the ultimate victory over the power of sin in the world. This in turn means that no matter how bad things get, God can turn them around! A life of slavery to sin and darkness and despair, can be turned through grace and faith to a new life of eternal meaning and significance. Out with the old and in with the new! Jesus came to our place, so that we could come and live at his place! Although this does start with the one-off connection between a broken life and the cross of Jesus, we of course know that this will be an ongoing process of growing faith and experiencing salvation in more and more areas of our lives.

Without the eyes of faith, the unseen, remains unseen. Yet there is so much to see beyond the obvious and the immediate! Faith leads us to attribute the wonder of creation to God. Faith leads to a knowledge that God is present to us in the world. Faith leads to an appreciation that God dwells within our suffering. Faith leads to a confidence that God is seeking to progressively grow us into the image of Jesus. Faith leads to greater levels of commitment to God’s purposes in respect of our community and our neighbour. Faith leads to a surety that God hears and answers our prayers. Faith leads us to expect the unexpected. Faith leads us to accept God’s verdict.

So, faith is a way of life! Sometimes it becomes obvious that we don’t live to the same drum beat as most others … this is because we are listening to a different drummer!! “Faith that is authentic recognises the reality of the unseen and allows itself to be governed by that reality” (Donald A Hagner).

When shall I come and behold the face of God? (Psalm 42)

We want to know God better. We want to sense God more deeply involved in our lives. Our soul thirsts for God. Deep within us we sense that we were made and born for a reason. Just as that really thirsty deer seeks that beautiful flowing stream, so we long to connect with God … to truly know God. The question is – “when shall I come and behold the face of God” (verse 2)? God is available – but when will I come … “and behold the face of God”. We are struggling. Things are not going so well. Each day is tending to be even more difficult than the one before. There are certain issues and concerns getting on top of me. The question remains, “When shall I come and behold the face of God”?

This psalmist was confident in God’s help and provision, yet it didn’t stop him wondering at times what God was up to and whether God was still around. In fact, it was through actively dealing with his doubt, that this psalmist became so strongly convinced of God’s availability and provision. It is when we bring our troubles, doubts and fears to the bible and to the place of prayer, that we gain reassurance, wisdom, guidance and strength. “When shall I come and behold the face of God”?

As we read through Psalm 42, we see that this psalmist had to deal with scoffers – those that laughed at his faith (please refer to verse 3). And there are those who seem to delight in this psalmist’s difficulties (refer to verses 9-10). While being known for his faith, this psalmist had come to be in a very low place, which became public news. Do such tears disprove God? Certainly not! Does the person of faith have to be superhuman? No!! Others might mock us, but they will never depreciate God’s love for us. And God’s benevolence and glory is proved and shown … as tears lead to understanding … and troubles lead to new perspective and growth.

In fact, times of challenge and distress become opportunities to seek God out more significantly and deeply (and thus reveal his worth)! We learn to rely on God more, and trust worldly endeavours or material possessions less. We also begin to more closely experience God’s presence in our suffering … God joining us in the dark places and drawing us through towards the light. In times of sorrow and repentance we can pause to clearly remember the good times we have had with God – enjoying the company of God’s people and being out in public about God’s business (verse 4). Even leaders, maybe especially leaders, in the Jesus-following community can feel jaded and tired and broken. But the experience of this psalmist is … “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God” (verse 5).

Remembering, as part of the process of growing, is a clear theme in this psalm. God’s mighty acts of creation and his loving presence everywhere, are in view in verses 6 to 8. It is a good idea to keep a record of God’s blessings and his answers to our prayers. Our faith is buoyed by changes in life circumstances that could have only come through God’s intervention. Even when our suffering seems to linger on, our faith can be strengthened through the sure knowledge of God’s enabling that keeps us afloat. Verse 6 in “The Message” reads like this: “When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you”.

But the question remains there for us, just sitting there, softly nagging away at us – “When shall I come and behold the face of God”? Communion … the celebration of the Lord’s Supper … offers an opportunity for us to come and behold the face of God. We have to be honest, and we have to be open, and we have to be expectant, and then we can experience God’s close presence … forgiving, cleansing, reassuring, guiding, changing us. We see most clearly the face of God in the person of Jesus – Jesus who touched the lepers, Jesus who healed the blind, Jesus who spent time with the marginalised and the ‘sinners’, Jesus who multiplied small amounts of bread and fish into a feast that fed thousands, and Jesus who willingly went to a tortuous cross so that we might be saved, Jesus who rose again to prove that death does not have to be the end.

“When shall I come and behold the face of God”? This psalm doesn’t so much talk about a propositional God to believe in intellectually, but much more so reflects a “living” God (v.2) that we come to know through personal encounter and relationship. And indeed we are invited into such a relationship; actually we were created to have that very relationship (with our eternal parent). But what might get in the way? What might make us reticent to accept such an invitation of relationship?? What might stop us beholding the face of God???

Our feelings of unworthiness, shame or guilt!? Jesus has dealt with that already! Other agendas maybe … we might really, if we are honest, prefer to live our lives our own way!? Some of the teachings of Jesus might just be too much for us to handle!? We actually don’t want to forgive, and we don’t want to love our enemies!? Sometimes even our roles and responsibilities (in life and church) can become an end in themselves and thus subtly distract someone from seeking God’s best.

The growth in a relationship with God doesn’t come by accident. Jesus himself said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (i.e. right living), for they (i.e. these ones) will be filled’ (Matthew 5:6). If we find ourselves with a big blockade in front of us, then we must seek prayer … we must utilise the breadth of care of our local Christian community to help us be released and move forward. “When shall I come and behold the face of God”? What about right now!?!

What is a Neighbourhood Church? (part two)

(4) A neighbourhood church embraces a wide cross-section of people. It doesn't specialise in particular ministries or age-specific programs; the only specialisation of the neighbourhood church is its neighbourhood! The neighbourhood church welcomes people from the wide backgrounds represented in its local community - being family friendly, single encouraging, couple supporting, child welcoming, senior enriching and multiculturally embracing. Those who actually participate define the activities through their interests, giftedness, and unique (yet interlinking) stories.

What is a Neighbourhood Church? (part one)

What is a Neighbourhood Church? 

(1) A neighbourhood church identifies the streets around their local area to be their greatest priority. This is not to say that there is any indifference to the problems and injustices within the wider human community or world, but rather that this concern begins and builds within the hearts and minds of those living locally. The neighbourhood church is a coalition of the assets, talents and needs of people residing within local streets. The neighbourhood church deeply invests itself in local affairs, where even the existence of ugly litter offends, let alone domestic violence or animal cruelty. 

(2) The neighbourhood church does not seek to draw people out of their neighbourhoods to a venue far away or even a few kilometres down the road - for this tends to actually devalue the worth of such a neighbourhood by reducing the time spent in one's most natural place of relational mission. Could any area be less suitable to worship in and serve God there? Of course not! To travel away from one's home locality to seek that 'greater worship experience' in the vertical sense, tends to disconnect one from the horizontal relational aspect of life and thus from the depth of the incarnation of Jesus.

(3) A neighbourhood church seeks to continually point to the loving and creative presence of God in a very local sense. The little creeks and beautiful parks, local monuments and busy community centres, can all be seen as evidence of God's presence and availability to people. How is it, with so much self-serving and other-denying type behaviour evident (which is so destructive to the human spirit), that society still proceeds into another day with a fair degree of hope? Whether it is realised or not, "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases ... God's mercies are new every morning". We should actively celebrate this ... locally!