The Unchanging Christ in a Changing World

In my ministers report to session this week, I noted that I once thought the year 2000 felt so far in the future that I couldn’t fathom what it would be like. We are now a quarter century beyond that milestone, and like many of you, we might sometimes yearn for those times that have long since passed. I posed some questions to session in my report, questions that I reflect on from time to time: ‘What are our hopes for this community beyond our time here? What would we hope St George’s might look like in 10 or 20 years or beyond? What would you hope St George’s has held on to? Who will St George’s be ministering to, what will the congregation look like?

We currently live in a world which is constantly in flux, change is a constant companion and technology continues to accelerate forward, our society and the seemingly infinite sub-cultures within continue to bubble and shift. So much has changed and yet when it comes to the human heart at least, so much is still the same.

We are blessed to have the Rev Dr Francois Joubert join us this Sunday to share a message with us. Rev Joubert has served in various contexts of ministry for over 30 years, most recently serving as Chaplain for St Cuthberts College in Epsom. He will be sharing from Hebrews 13:8 which I think stands as an anchor of great comfort for us in these changing times.

The book of Hebrews was addressing Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and were being tempted back to the old ways and so this particular verse that Rev Joubert will reflect on resonates with the context of the wider church today: Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

This verse should not be taken as just another theological idea, but I hope we might recognise it as a lifeline, a reminder that despite the constant ebbs and flows of change in our lives, Christ is unchanging and His love endures forever.

Thinking about our history here at St George’s, we stand on the shoulders of so many who have gone before us, we are caretakers and we are stewards but just for this short time today. But what is it that we are stewards over? Is it just these facilities? Is it just the Sunday service? Or is there something infinitely more valuable at the heart of our community? Maybe I’ll leave our guest to expand a bit more on some of these questions.

I’m sorry not to be with you this Sunday, but be sure to come and hear our friend Francois this Sunday and be encouraged. May God bless you during this season of Lent.

Blessings

Josh