Parkwood Presbyterian Church: From the Pastor, March, 1999

From the Pastor...
March, 1999

SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

Sometimes it is possible to find ourselves in need of spiritual renewal, in our own personal lives, and as a congregation. We may find ourselves lacking the joy, enthusiasm and commitment we once had or know we should have. How do we become spiritually renewed?

Here are three suggestions.

1. Return to "your first love". This was the apostle John’s advice to the Congregation at Ephesus (Revelation 2:4). The members of the Church were known for their hard work, good deeds, perseverance, righteous behaviour, and endurance of hardship. But they had lost the reason for being faithful. They had lost their love of Christ. They had lost sight of the cross, the fact that though they were sinners destined for eternal separation from God, Jesus intervened on their behalf and reconnected them to God, through the Cross. They had once loved Christ with all their hearts, but they had lost their first love. John advises them to repent, remember and return.

2. Make use of the "means of grace". These are gifts God has given to us in order to help us stay alive spiritually and to help us continue to grow spiritually. The Bible speaks of personal and corporate prayer, the study of Scripture, fellowship with one another, worship, taking part in the Sacraments, giving of oneself for the benefit of others, the sacrificial giving of our money for the support of the Church, fasting, etc. These are opportunities offered to us to enable us to become more Christ-like in character.

3. Use the "spiritual gifts" God has entrusted you with. In Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4, we are reminded that God gives each of His children "gifts". A "spiritual gift" has been described as "a special attribute given by the Holy Spirit to every member of the Body of Christ according to God’s grace for use within the context of the Body". Whether your gift is teaching, encouraging, giving, mercy, leadership, cooking, administration, service, faith, pastoral care, hospitality or some other gift, it is needed within the Body. Be sure to offer yourself with your gift to the Church.

As you and I return to our first love, use the means of grace, and put to work the spiritual gifts God has given to us. We, as individuals and as a Congregation, will experience "newness of life", the joy and excitement of being God’s children.