The Vicar Writes 

SJSM, 10-11 Sep 2011

SJSM 40^th Anniversary:

THIS IS OUR MAGNIFICENT GOD

Our Celebration & Consecration service last Sunday was stupendous. The glory of the Lord in the midst of His people was stunning. Over 2100 persons - young & old, members & friends, local & international, of different language groups – gathered on our premises to be “one voice , glorifying the Lord “ (cf. Rom 15: 6). What was striking for me was the eagerness & oneness of the entire gathering to praise the Lord!

An incredible, beautiful evening to remember 

Here is how one of our young mothers described it on Facebook:

“To witness a group of dancers burst forth in joyful celebration, including little ones who call me "Auntie", and older ones whom I call "Auntie" and "Uncle";

To hear drums and violin, hymn and chorus, songs and instruments from across the ages together declare the same unbroken message of Hope;

To see a teenage singing group from the 80s resurrected, its members now older, but no less determined to make known the Reason they sing;

To experience communion accompanied by rapturous worship, and then naturally, spontaneously, one, and soon others, and before long the congregation, is on its feet;

To be reminded of the coming to pass of a prophecy of old, of minivans nimble enough to reach narrow lanes and culs-de-sac;

To be in the midst of the tongues and tribes of the nations, receiving scripture in Thai, a blessing from a Nigerian brother, and a benediction in Tamil and Mandarin;

And then to sup with a family large, diverse and beloved;

Must surely have been a foretaste of the eternity that is to come! “

It will be an evening indelibly etched in our minds for many, many years to come – a night when we beheld the magnificence of our God in the people He has raised up for Himself!

What preceded the beautiful evening

The preparation for the evening was vital. We thank the Lord for the dedicated team of young leaders who put the Service together & all those who contributed to the richness of worship that evening. At the same time, there was alongside the practical preparation for the event a preparation of the hearts of the people. So many of our members & friends were richly blessed & deeply moved by the Parish Day of Prayer. On the one hand, the Prayer Waves allowed us to gather in groups & families to intercede for the church & also to storm the throne of heaven with the high praises & fervent prayers of a sacred assembly. On the other, the Prayer Journey so artistically, concisely & poignantly brought us individually face to face with all that God has already done to bring SJSM to this point in our history, and then lay before us the needs & mission opportunities that belong to God’s future for us. But the Prayer Journey didn’t end without raising the need for personal consecration by everyone of us in in order that we might fulfill God’s purposes for us. That is where the Pastors’ Prayer Gathering was so significant.

What we received at the SJSM Pastors’ Prayer Gathering

About 120 pastors, missionaries & ministry partners of SJSM, together representing about 12 countries, gathered for a 2-day Prayer Retreat prior to our Celebration & Consecration service. We assembled to worship the Lord, hear His word & seek His face for SJSM’s future. I thank the Lord for all those who interceded for this gathering – we were wonderfully immersed in the Lord’s Presence. Its important that I share with the body a summary of what we received during that time.

What is on the Father’s heart?

1. He wants His people to Centre on Jesus His Son  

•  Our vision of the future must be dominated by our vision of the vast superiority of Jesus Christ (‘so great a High Priest & Saviour-King; how can we neglect or drift from so great a salvation’ – from the book of Hebrews)
•  We are to constantly drink in the Father’s love through the Holy Spirit at the table of salvation set by the Son.
•  In this way, His church becomes a city of true joy in the midst of the world’s revelry & dryness; and His people in times of revival become ‘troubadors’ bringing the music of God’s healing & transforming love in Christ Jesus to the corridors of everyday life (cf Ps 87: 7; and Count Zinzendorf’s depiction of Moravian Christians when they were revived by outpourings of the Holy Spirit)

2. He wants to Heal His Wounded Body 

•  His Church is to stand faithfully, firmly & lovingly on the revealed truth of holy Scripture and the platform of a common faith (cf. ‘the faith once for all delivered’ – Jude v3)
•  Within this body, we are to release forgiveness to each other in the power of the Cross. The body of Christ is severely wounded & weakened by unforgiveness and unhealed polarities.
•  We are to work gladly with one another, the Spirit enabling a convergence of mission & resources in the wider body of Christ to further our Lord’s kingdom throughout the world.

3. He wants to Bring a Stunning Revival  

•  While the forces of darkness, chaos & destruction are rampant in our current times, the Lord is planning a breath-taking & stunning shift in which the light of His kingdom gains ascendancy over dark forces & His revived church has a supernatural, magnetic attraction world-wide. Many peoples & nations will stream into the kingdom of His Son & be transformed (Micah 4:1-5; Is 2:1-5; 55: 1-13; 60:1-3; 61:1- 62:7; Hab 3:1-19).
•  How the Lord will cleanse, renew & revive His people is in His hands. We are to yield to His moulding & refining hands, and grow strong as His disciples.
•  A church that has “magnetic attraction” will be one that a) lives out the Kingdom authentically, b) serves the world compassionately, and c) shares & “holds forth” the Gospel courageously.

What the Father will do: Revival is not something we can contrive. It is a sovereign, grace-filled act of God who in His love & mercy desires that ‘none should perish’ (2 Pet 3:9) but that all should come into ‘fullness of life in His Son ’ (cf. Jn 10:10). The Father will pour out His Spirit as you and I both pray fervently as well as whole-heartedly ‘trust & obey’.

What will the beautiful evening lead to?

Following on from the above, and inspired by Scripture & the record of Church history, I believe the Lord is raising a missionary force in SJSM & in His church world-wide. Our hearts will be inflamed with His glory & melted in His love. Armed with towel & basin, and singing in our hearts because of the love of God, we go forth to bring transformation, hope, healing, justice & mercy to a world in need of Christ.

On Sept 4^th, we at SJSM have consecrated ourselves and made the crossing to the other side of the Jordan. In the grace of God, we are on new ground. There are vast areas in the world that need the love & light of Christ’s kingdom. And I am hearing more distinctly the voice of the Spirit of God saying that the Lord is bringing about a stunning revival in our day that will anticipate the final route (Rev 11: 15 ).  

So I look forward to these months of preparation & actual movement, as we receive the Spirit’s outpourings through prayer & the Word. That will bring us to our 40^th Anniversary Covenant Service on New Year’s Eve where we will look back on this year & say to God “There’s no turning back! You are our magnificent God & we will love You in our life & service as Your covenantal people”  

Truly, blessed be the Name of the Lord forever!