FROM THE PASTOR

 

This week it's a joy to have Rev David Elvery coming to preach at our gathered service and live stream. David is the Director of Pastoral Services in our movement. His message on Sunday has formed the theme for week four of our twelve weeks of prayer - think big, start small. Jesus specializes in using the smallest of things, to pull off extraordinary Kingdom movements. All that’s required of us is faith in Jesus, expressed through placing the little we have in his hands. 

 

As a church we are not newcomers to big challenges that make us feel small. Our call to build was always something of a size, that without God, would be destined to fail. Yet the church have responded much like Joshua and Caleb did in the wilderness. When the other ten spies brought back a report that the giants in the land were too big to overcome, these two said no way, the Lord will give them into our hands. 

 

Fear can cause you to retreat, or it can motivate you to put your faith in God, and advance.  

 

David was in a similar position when up against Goliath. The Israelite army were afraid, thinking the giant was too big to bring down. David looked at God, picked up some stones and thought, he is too big to miss! It's always a matter of perspective whether the giant blocks out the sun, or the Son of God overshadows the giants.  

 

As we move closer to completion day, we could feel pretty small as a church compared to the challenge we are facing. Our debt is growing larger with each drawdown, and will reach $4 million by the end of December. Yet our weekly budget goal of $10,000 is showing a shortfall against our actual 'year to date' weekly giving. 

 

We also face the challenge of additional costs associated with our sewer line connection. It has been a large battle to gain approval to connect on our neighbouring landfill site, but God is mighty and we praise him for overcoming. However, the conditions of approval have come with some unexpected and unforeseeable costs. 

 

So with the giants of our budget goal and building completion costs ahead of us, how will we respond? 

 

First with thanksgiving. We can be so grateful to God for his amazing provision to date. 

We have raised almost $100,000 in addition to the initial $1 million breaking ground goal. Also, in our chair appeal we have bought the first 90 of the 420 chairs we need. God continues to provide beyond our budget giving, and its making a big difference. 

 

Even this week, someone from outside The Grove bought two chairs. And in the last couple of months, two others who love The Grove and our vision but don’t attend, gave $5,000 to Called to Build. 

 

The list of God's provision could fill a book, but with these in mind, how will we respond to the challenges ahead? 

 

As we have in the past, we will not allow fear to make us retreat, but let faith in God motivate us to advance. We might feel small, and wonder what difference each of us can really make? But Jesus is reminding us this weekend that he specialises in doing a lot with a little. Mustard seeds, yeast, loaves and fishes become large trees, and enough food for big crowds. Our call is to simply respond to what the Lord calls each of us to do. May we all pray and ask God what part he wants us to play.

 

I am so grateful to God for the faith of the body of Christ at The Grove. For all the Joshua’s and Caleb’s and Esther’s, who have not shrunk back in fear, but have embraced the challenges and ran into the battle. Who have been prepared to sacrifice much for the sake of Jesus and his Kingdom advancement. What a privilege this is to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, unified in faith and calling. To love and worship our great risen King. And to soon experience the unspeakable joy of witnessing the awesome work Jesus is about to do.

 

Faith and courage everyone, because our mighty God is with us, and for us, and is building his church. 

 

God bless you!

Marty