A Word for our Church
By Ryan Dawson
Several years ago, the Lord gave us a strong word for our church, from the book of Zechariah. In this passage God is encouraging the people through the prophet to continue the work of building the temple despite the growing challenges and opposition.
God declares, “Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!” Zechariah 8:13 (NLT).
As the Body of Christ, we are the temple of God – a spiritual people who carry the very presence of God with us. God is building our church through the presence of His Spirit, so that we will bring glory to God. I believe that He wants us to be a symbol and source of blessing - a Symbol, in that we reflect Jesus and His Kingdom principles in the way we live, work, play, and go; and a Source, in that we are a conduit of Christ’s love and grace to a world desperate for God’s goodness.
As we yield to the Holy Spirit and submit to the loving leadership of Jesus, we will grow more and more in Christ-like character (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). By serving others and giving ourselves away, in response to God’s amazing grace, we will reflect God in greater ways, out of the overflow of what Jesus is doing in our own hearts.
We also believe that one day the Lord will provide a Kingdom facility called the Impact Centre, which will be a base of operation for Sequoia Church. This multi-purpose building will be a missional hub enabling us to be a physical symbol and source of blessing to our City.
But to become a symbol and source of blessing as a Church, we first need to live this out as individuals at home, at work, at school, and in our neighbourhoods. We also need to embody this same posture in our Impact Communities, as we seek to be a tangible expression of God’s goodness where He has placed us.
I’m asking myself these days, “How can I grow as a symbol and source of blessing to my family, my friends, my church, and my neighbours?” “What steps can I take to better reflect and represent Jesus Christ to those around me?” I would encourage you to ask the same questions, and to rely on God’s grace for the strength and courage to take positives steps in this direction.
Jesus is our source for all that we need. The cross is both a symbol and a source of blessing for us who believe. Though the cross of Jesus, we are set free from sin and set right before God. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work, on our behalf, God gives us His very Spirit so that we are filled and empowered to live for Christ. The Apostle Paul helps us better understand this as he prays for the Colossians…
Colossians 1:9-13 (NIV) “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
As we seek and follow Jesus, allowing His Spirit to fill and empower us, we will bear fruit in every good work and we will become more like Christ - thus becoming a symbol and source of blessing to a world desperate for the love of God.
May it be so for God’s glory! Ryan
Several years ago, the Lord gave us a strong word for our church, from the book of Zechariah. In this passage God is encouraging the people through the prophet to continue the work of building the temple despite the growing challenges and opposition.
God declares, “Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!” Zechariah 8:13 (NLT).
As the Body of Christ, we are the temple of God – a spiritual people who carry the very presence of God with us. God is building our church through the presence of His Spirit, so that we will bring glory to God. I believe that He wants us to be a symbol and source of blessing - a Symbol, in that we reflect Jesus and His Kingdom principles in the way we live, work, play, and go; and a Source, in that we are a conduit of Christ’s love and grace to a world desperate for God’s goodness.
As we yield to the Holy Spirit and submit to the loving leadership of Jesus, we will grow more and more in Christ-like character (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). By serving others and giving ourselves away, in response to God’s amazing grace, we will reflect God in greater ways, out of the overflow of what Jesus is doing in our own hearts.
We also believe that one day the Lord will provide a Kingdom facility called the Impact Centre, which will be a base of operation for Sequoia Church. This multi-purpose building will be a missional hub enabling us to be a physical symbol and source of blessing to our City.
But to become a symbol and source of blessing as a Church, we first need to live this out as individuals at home, at work, at school, and in our neighbourhoods. We also need to embody this same posture in our Impact Communities, as we seek to be a tangible expression of God’s goodness where He has placed us.
I’m asking myself these days, “How can I grow as a symbol and source of blessing to my family, my friends, my church, and my neighbours?” “What steps can I take to better reflect and represent Jesus Christ to those around me?” I would encourage you to ask the same questions, and to rely on God’s grace for the strength and courage to take positives steps in this direction.
Jesus is our source for all that we need. The cross is both a symbol and a source of blessing for us who believe. Though the cross of Jesus, we are set free from sin and set right before God. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work, on our behalf, God gives us His very Spirit so that we are filled and empowered to live for Christ. The Apostle Paul helps us better understand this as he prays for the Colossians…
Colossians 1:9-13 (NIV) “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
As we seek and follow Jesus, allowing His Spirit to fill and empower us, we will bear fruit in every good work and we will become more like Christ - thus becoming a symbol and source of blessing to a world desperate for the love of God.
May it be so for God’s glory! Ryan