I was recently reflecting on the sheer enthusiasm of a number of young folk emulating Guitar Hero – a fast and furious new way, of capturing the feeling of what it must be like to be the master of the fret board.
Whether you can relate to Jesus as a hero or not is a debatable point. The dictionary defines a hero as a person noted for feats of courageous action or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life. For the Jews who lived 2,000 years ago that is exactly what they wanted, someone who would lead the charge, who would overcome their oppressors and give them back their freedom.
The religious authorities of Jesus’ day must have been surprised when they realised that His way was not their way, and that Jesus came to change people from the inside out and not with a size 11 boot.
It may be difficult for some to relate to the noble actions of God, who sent His Son to live among us, who in turn as an ultimate gift, gave His life for the ransom for many (1 Peter 2:24). The Bible story centers around God wanting to share his creation with mankind, by calling out his people (the church), to bring us to a place where we can enjoy the benefits of a one-to-one relationship with Him. So, regardless of who you are and your circumstances, Jesus substituted Himself, by doing so freely gave His life to save (purchase back) yours.
By this sacrifice, we learn that the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) would be sent (John 16), because the world found it difficult to believe in the Son of God made man. It is this same Spirit who would reveal the ‘truth’ of a promise, that every man has a birthright to claim, to be adopted into God’s family forever (Titus1:2).
You can never earn the right to stand before God by your own good works alone. In John 4:24, it tells us that God’s people ‘worship Him in Spirit and in truth’.
This is not wishful or aspirational thinking or blind faith, it happens today just as it did when the Pentecostal story first hit the headlines in Acts 2. Believe it or not, this wasn’t God planning a one off occasion back then. This was the beginning of the ‘born again’ (John 3: 3-7) signs following experience of Mark16 that has changed the lives of many throughout history.
You will find in our church today, people from diverse backgrounds, who share the same experience and evidence of God’s power in their lives, as a result of repentance, water baptism and receiving God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, with the bible evidence of speaking in new tongues, as a sign or receipt.
You are welcome to come along, why not bring along someone with you to our meetings, to hear accounts of how God answers prayer, of healings, liberation from dependence from drugs, alcohol and smoking, release from worry and anxiety, as well as a myriad of situations met where people prosper defying science and logic.
‘Call unto me and I will answer thee’: Jeremiah 33:3 – God’s hotline, the switchboard is on air 24/7.
Try it. What have you got to lose? I did in my mid twenties, not understanding anything about God or religion at that time, let alone that Jesus was my Saviour. I thank God for His patience, that through curiosity He proved to me in a way I could relate to, that He is a living God who works wonders in a time when people need hope and confidence.
Pastor Chris Reed
RCI London
