Maroubra is famous for its beachside Rubik’s Cube. A weird, brainy puzzle in the middle of such easy natural beauty. It’s great to look at, but who would want to solve it? Easier just to jump in the water, or lie on the sand, and simply enjoy life.
The image could stand well as an image for Christianity in Maroubra.
The Christian faith seems to be an odd, old puzzle stuck in the middle of such clear beauty and fun. Why bother with this strange set of beliefs that seem so awkward to line up with each other, when everything else around here looks so simple and easy to take at face value?
For many of us, either new to church, or having grown up in church, there have been things to solve. Big truths didn’t line up. In recent times, however, a number of people have been lining up these truths and finding a new coherence in the faith. They have been working out their personal faith in Jesus. This has happened in church, in Christianity Explored, and in our youth group.
Put simply, people have confirmed truths which they either didn’t used to believe, or which they felt shaky about. This is a great time for everyone to think about where they stand with Jesus right now.
If you are a person who has come to faith, or has arrived at a confirmed, adult faith, then I want to invite you to take a stand with Jesus. Jesus is clear, standing with him means being unashamed of him and his gospel.
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:23)
This is why three things are common among Christians.
a. Giving some kind of testimony to what Jesus has done in your life.
b. Being baptized as a sign of faith and beginning life with Jesus.
c. Owning the faith into which you were baptized in the past by the public declaration of confirmation.
On August 28th this year we are going to have service in which people are able to declare ‘My Faith’. I want you to consider using it as moment in which to testify to your faith to others.
Please consider whether you want to join these people in standing up for Jesus in this way. If you are thinking about this – why not tell Jim you want to talk with him about it? – jim@stjohnsmaroubra.com.