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Dear Friends,
What is the unfinished business of the local church? Are we in any way like the church in Sardis lacking in passion for completing the mission that Jesus entrusted? Are we mindful of the ongoing challenge of becoming a missional church? How would we respond to Jesus’ promise that an open door has been established for the local church to engage in missional witness and service? Like the church in Philadelphia, we have been given the unique privilege of carrying out the mission of God.
For many people, the local church is no longer relevant or significant. In fact, some might even feel that it is possible to live the Christian life without participating in the local church. But, the local church does not exist for its own purpose. Instead, the local church exists for the sake of those who have yet to encounter Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The local church, however, does not have its own preferred mission. God has a mission in the world that includes and involves the local church. Thus, the local church in every place is a missional congregation sent by Jesus to embody the message and mission of God.
When we gather as the local church for worship and renewal on Sundays, we gather to celebrate our faith and to receive God’s Word for our lives, both personally and corporately. The rhythm of missional living is seen in the movement of the local church that comes together regularly and then moves out intentionally into the community, into society, into the marketplace. Our witness and service for Jesus take place when we practice grace and love and faith and compassion. By living the Jesus life where God has put us, we are living missionally. By embodying the message and mission of God, the local church experiences Jesus’ power and presence through the Holy Spirit.
Do we sense a fresh movement of God’s Spirit in our hearts? Do we recognize the work of God in transforming our congregation into a healing community and prodigal centre? Are we prepared to make a difference on the North Shore? Will we use our resources, our spiritual gifts and our passions to serve God’s mission? Dare we pray for creative energies and insights to become a lively congregation that is engaging, attractive and winsome in our witness? What needs to change? How can we begin to mobilize our members? Who are the people God is inviting us to reach with the love of Jesus?
May the Lord open our hearts and inspire our minds to see the local church from God’s perspective. The local church is not a religious organization that has become outmoded, irrelevant and unnecessary. In reality, God’s mission for the local church is very much alive. The local church comprises of people who love Jesus and who desire to live the Jesus life so that others may come to know Jesus. The local church is a missional community of faith, hope and love. There is no other organization or agency that can match the resilience and influence of a local church wholeheartedly devoted to Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we are the local church motivated by a missional heart and spirit. Do you believe in the local church?
For this Sunday, please read Revelation 3:7-13 as we contemplate the opportunity of braving open doors that Jesus has established for the local church.
Blessings,
Peter
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