Eternal Life Starts Now
We have another new blog writer for 2021! Esther-Maria will be sharing her passion for the word of God, and she starts by giving us eternal perspective…
We only need to look out of our windows to see that this world is a wonderful place. As I am writing this, I can hear the sounds of laughter as children make snowmen on a Sunday afternoon in January and I am reminded that God has placed us in a world, in which beauty and joy abound. However, at other times we become painfully aware of how turbulent life on this side of heaven can be. This past year has undoubtedly acted as a reminder for many of us that financial difficulties, loss, loneliness, and many other kinds of hardships, can come quickly and without warning. In such situations we can find comfort in Bible passages, such as in Revelation.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:3-4
The vivid and hopeful picture of heaven Revelation paints can make it easy to look forward to the time when we will be taken home by our loving Father. He will be our God and dwell with us. He will wipe every tear away. There will be only rejoicing. The difficulties of life on earth, and resulting feelings of insecurity and hopelessness, can tempt us to look forward to heaven, at the expense of knowing our eternal life has already begun. The truth is that we are not insecure and hopeless, even now.
The death of loved ones, financial hardships, persecution, and emotional weakness are nothing new to humankind. Jesus’ disciples themselves experienced such times of trouble. The same John who went on to write the Gospel of John, as well as other books in the New Testament, witnessed his brother, James, be martyred for Christ (Acts 12:2). Paul describes how he was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked and more (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). And even Jesus wept over the death of His friend (John 11:35), showing that even our Lord and Saviour is a compassionate God, well acquainted with sorrow and grief.
A Godly Response
In all of these stories, we see a response of rejoicing and hoping in the most dire situations. This joy and hope is a result of nothing less than the faith and trust in a relationship with Jesus Christ, our God, which does not start when we get to the wonderful heaven that is described in Revelation, but which begins right now when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. This relationship should transform our response to difficult situations life can bring our way. It has been my mistake in the past to say in difficult times, “If only I were in heaven, where I can live eternally and happily with Jesus”. Of course, heaven will take away weeping from life, but when we begin our eternal life with Jesus, it should change our entire outlook on life right then and now.
The Bible tells us we can praise God always, finding hope, joy, and strength in Him in the darkest of times. In the Old Testament, Nehemiah beautifully states that the joy of the Lord is the strength of God’s people. This should set a pattern for us, to respond by finding strength and joy in God when we are tempted to despair.
We can praise God in difficult times, because the Bible is clear to tell us that such situations and experiences will grow and mature us. Suffering allows us to learn endurance, develop our character, and grow in hope, as we see God working and helping us through (Romans 3:3-5). James gives an encouraging description of the outcomes of suffering for believers if we stand firm in God’s grace and truth.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
The trials we face in life may hurt us deeply, but they are also producing in us characteristics of a mature Christian. And while Paul assures us that the troubles we face on earth are nothing in comparison to the eternal glory awaiting us in heaven (2 Corinthians 4:27), we can already rejoice in hope now and cling to God in times of trouble, knowing that He is working all things for good (Romans 8:28). We must only trust and obey God, echoing Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 26, that His will be done. But how do we do this when everything around us seems overwhelmingly negative?
Look to the Son
John states that God has given us eternal life, that this life in His Son, and that we get eternal life when we believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:11-13). It is the relationship with Jesus that should lead us in hope, strength, love, and faith as we go through life, with its ups and downs. We are not alone even now; God has already dwelled with us in human form and, after giving us Jesus, has already given us His Holy Spirit, pouring His love out over us to be with us forever. Whereas in the Old Testament, God dwelled with His people in the tabernacle, He now dwells with us in our bodies. And this is not something that can be taken away from us. Where humans may have left and hurt us, God will never leave nor forsake us. We have complete security in His love and this relationship with Him. The Gospel of John records what Jesus Himself said regarding this.
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
John 10:28-30
Jobs may have been snatched from us throughout the past year. People may have passed away, or we may have simply not been able to see them when we would have liked to. But really this only shows what has always been true: that the things of this world are fleeting, and that the only thing which truly satisfies and lasts is our relationship with Jesus.
The Bible is abundantly clear that there is hope for all of us at the end of our walks with Jesus, if we endure and choose to follow Him all the days of our lives. Peter reminds us that while life may be hard in the meantime, Jesus will establish us and restore all things when He comes again (1 Peter 5:10). More than that, James tells us that if we love God and remain steadfast in faith during trials and tests, we will receive the crown of life (James 1:12). There is so much to look forward to!
But we are not there yet and my hope is to encourage you to look to Jesus today and the beauty of a relationship with Him even now, which will transform your outlook on these trials and tests in this world. Psalm 34:18 says that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. He is here for you and close to you, readily available for an intimate and life-giving relationship beginning today. When we humble ourselves before Him and cast our anxieties on Him, He is ready to lift us up and care for us (1 Peter 5:6-7). When we feel weary and burdened, He is ready to give us rest, with his beautifully gentle and humble heart (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus may have placed you in this world, but He did not leave you alone or hopeless. He is the Light of the World and Prince of Peace. All you need to do is commit your sorrows into His hands, and allow Him to be at work in you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Esther-Maria is one of our Redeemer students, a core member of our kids ministry, and is passionate about the word of God. In 2021, she’ll be sharing her thoughts on how scripture should change the way we live our lives! Check back here every month for more.
Redeemer reads 1 Thessalonians 5
As we read 1 Thessalonians 5 this morning, Timali encourages us to follow Paul's advice and live as children of light, full of joy, especially in this challenging time!
Welcome! Here at Redeemer we believe that the Bible is the word of God, that it’s alive, and that its words can and should shape every aspect of our lives as Christians. But we also know it’s not easy to get into the habit of reading it every day! So we are following the CBR Bible Reading plan - which can be found below - to help us read the bible together.
We are currently reading the book of 1 Thessalonians, and every week day we will be releasing a video on our social media & YouTube accounts, with a member of our Redeemer family explaining what they feel God is saying to them through the passage!
Today we hear from Timali as she shares with us from 1 Thessalonians 5.
If you have time, and a desire to know more, you’ll find ideas for further study of todays passage below.
Further Study
In this sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Brian Davis unpacks what it means to live without grumbling by giving thanks in all things.
“If the Lord is entirely sovereign (which he is), and if he is always good to you in Christ (which he is), well then, when we grumble and complain in any circumstance, we’re actually denying God’s involved. Denying that he’s being good. And who do we think we’re grumbling and complaining against?” — Brian Davis
Redeemer reads Philippians 1
Today as we start to read Philippians together Lois helps us to focus on the source of true joy!
Welcome! Here at Redeemer we believe that the Bible is the word of God, that it’s alive, and that its words can and should shape every aspect of our lives as Christians. But we also know it’s not easy to get into the habit of reading it every day! So we are following the CBR Bible Reading plan - which can be found below - to help us read the bible together.
We are currently reading the book of Philippians, and every week day we will be releasing a video on our social media & YouTube accounts, with a member of our Redeemer family explaining what they feel God is saying to them through the passage!
Today we hear from Lois as she shares with us from Philippians 1.
If you have time, and a desire to know more, you’ll find ideas for further study of todays passage below.
Further Study
In this talk from 2017, Lutic Mosane, from Christ Church Midrand, South Africa, shares with us what it looks like to be ‘Driven by the Gospel’.
“Freedom for is not the absence of limitation, but the ability to pursue unhindered what we have been created for.” – Lutic Mosoane
Redeemer reads 2 Corinthians 7
As we continue to read 2 Corinthians together Esther-Maria shares with us the difference between worldly and godly sorrow.
Welcome! Over the next few weeks we are going to be reading 2 Corinthians together as a church, 1 chapter every week day. We’re encouraging everyone to read the passage, pray, and share with a few others what they felt God was pointing out to them in his word. Every day we’re going to be hearing from someone at Redeemer about what they felt God pointed out to them as they read the passage.
This morning Esther-Maria is sharing with us, you can watch her video above. She has also shared some of her thoughts on the passage below.
Today’s chapter reveals the difference between worldly sorrow, which leads to grief, and godly sorrow, which leads to joy. Conviction by the Holy Spirit leads to repentance and it is precisely in turning to Jesus and away from sin that we find joy. This joy is not like happiness, which is a result of a specific situation, but it is regardless of any circumstance, as it comes from Jesus, Who dwells within us now and forever.
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. However, we must be receptible to conviction by the Holy Spirit, in order that we may obey God and live our lives in ways that align with Jesus’ character and heart. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and transform us to be more like Jesus.
This chapter also shows the importance of correction. As a loving family in Christ, we must be those that help one another to be active in fleeing from sin and turning to Jesus. Instead of judging one another or letting each other do what we please, even when it is harmful to ourselves or others, we must be loving and point one another to Jesus. This can be done through loving correction, which builds us up.
Adoration:
Lord, I thank You for Your love and Your patience with me, that I have been able to be adopted into Your family when I repented as a result of conviction from Your Holy Spirit.
Confession:
I am sorry for the times I have ignored conviction from You and continued in my own ways.
Thanksgiving:
Jesus, I thank You that by dying on the cross and rising again, You have caused the veil to be torn, that we may know and have a relationship with You. I thank You that You have allowed for the Holy Spirit to be poured out, to work in us, and make us more like You through conviction.
Supplication:
Holy Spirit, please be at work in me, that I may be quick to repent and that I may listen to and obey Your voice. Lord, would You let Your joy overflow in me, that others may see the unconditional and supernatural joy You alone bring.
Further Study
We have shared a blog from Scotty Smith before in this ‘Further Study’ section of the blog, and today we’re sharing another. In this blog - entitled ‘A Prayer About God Comforting the Downcast’ - Scotty confronts the reality that we’re not always on top of our game, and celebrates the fact that there’s nothing wrong with that.