I’m sure you’ve noticed that we live in an unstable world. I think less stable than anything I’ve seen in my life time. What comes to mind is the volatile Middle East, the American political landscape, Hong Kong, climate change, refugees and gender ideology. Our country has been through a number Of Prime Ministers in recent years. The abortion debate currently before the NSW Parliament is not covering our politicians or society in glory.

Our society has become tribal with different factions waging war among one another. The church is caught in the cross-fire and has at times contributed to its own demise. Try saying anything remotely Christian on social media and be prepared for the aggressive responses. Our humanistic, destructive, post-Christian culture makes it hard for Christians to speak and be listened too. It makes us shy to share the gospel and invite people to church.

 Mark Sayers is the senior pastor of Red Church in Melbourne and is well known for speaking about the intersection of faith and culture. He sheds light on the story which drives our society. “The story of secularism is a story which says that as the world moves away from faith and belief in God that the world will inevitably become a better place … I think what post-Christianity is, and its belief in progress, is a desire for the Kingdom without the King”.

As important as church is, a Sunday morning of church once a week is never enough to sustain the Christian life. The background chatter of society is seductive and compelling. With its music ringing in our ears we find ourselves dancing to tunes not of our own making. Church is an alternative community with an alternative Ruler to the rulers of this world. Like Israel in the desert, we have left behind a life a slavery, now we experience the harshness of this vacuous world, and we live with a great hope for the restoration of the world.

 Our church vision is designed to orientate us and give us a sense of purpose. The words, “Enabling faith” remind us that the gospel is to be shared. We have a whole neighbourhood around us and we need to be thinking about their needs. How can we be salt and light in our community? We need to be developing relationships by building bridges which people are willing to cross. The words, “Knowing the truth” are more about ourselves and our understanding of the gospel. Be curious, be willing to learn, come to the Scriptures with a deep desire to mature and grow. Understand what it means to be holy.  Hence the last part of our vision statement, “Pursuing holiness”. The Christian life is a relational life. We are redeemed and purified which enables fellowship with God and one another.

 These maybe challenging times but our sovereign God is fully in control. The story he gives his people is one which spans from creation to new creation and it validates itself through the historical and verifiable resurrection of the Lord Jesus. So we persevere and give all the glory to our Lord and Saviour.