A Moment of Vision

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:1–4)

Sometimes a crisis becomes a moment of vision.  When Uzziah died (ca 740BC) Israel came to the end of a long, relatively peaceful and prosperous era.  No-one knew what would happen next.  Here at Magdalen Road Church things are not quite so uncertain or unstable, but it does look increasingly likely that Richard Brewster will move on to a new pastorate this summer.  As a church we are wondering what the future holds.

It has therefore been a very happy providence that we are spending the next few weeks looking at the authority of Jesus in Matthew 8-9.  As I have sat down to prepare I have been stunned afresh by his effortless power and his magisterial call to discipleship.   It has impressed me all the more when I remember that Matthew wrote to those who felt like powerless bystanders, ignored and despised, by the mutually hostile forces of Jerusalem and Rome.  Today those particular forces have long since disappeared, but the disciples of Jesus are still going strong.  Today economic forces seem to dwarf all others as the politicians of the world do battle over taxes and banks and national debts.  But long after the television debates, and bankers bonuses have become a footnote in history disciples of Jesus will still be there; proclaiming the same Lord, living the same sacrificial lives of service, rejoicing in the same hope.  Real power has always lain elsewhere.

Behind the scenes God is "sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up" (Isaiah 6:1).  The risen Jesus has "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18) at his disposal.  And that authority has always been exercised for God's people (Ephesians 1:22) as they commit themselves to displaying his glory (Isaiah 42:8).

And so I return to our little local challenge.  How will we replace Richard Brewster?  I believe that the Lord has given us a wonderful vision for our life together.  A vision to delight in God and display his glory.  A vision to love the Lord Jesus with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.   A vision to disciple one another, and reach out in the name of Christ.  A vision to train up a new generation who will lead churches at all levels throughout Britain and the world.  The elders are presently examining that vision and asking how we might better fulfil it as we look towards the future.  And I am filled with a sense that the sovereign Lord is more than willing to pour out his blessing on us, if our only aim is to see him glorified (Malachi 3:10).

I want you to know that the elders are working very hard on your behalf.  There are extra meetings.  There is much to consider and pray about.  There are daunting challenges, and a great need for wisdom, vision, courage and discernment.  We need your prayers.  In time we will also need the wisdom of church members as we consult and consider specific proposals.  (If you are not yet a church member what better time to join?)  But most of all we need so see the Lord, and to hear afresh the call of Jesus on our lives.

If he is always before us then we are an unstoppable force.

I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. (Acts 2:25–26)