Update from The Pastor’s Desk 9-10-20

“GOD IS TRYING TO TELL US SOMETHING”
9/10/20

In 1985, Steven Spielberg directed an outstanding blockbuster drama called The Color Purple.  The movie depicted the problems African American women faced during the early 20th century which included domestic violence, incest, pedophilia, poverty, racism and sexism.  The conclusion of the movie was the best part for me, for I literally began to “have church” when they sang:  “God Is Trying To Tell You Something.”We are faced with numerous issues such as a pandemic, climate changes, racism, anarchy and corrupt politics.  With all that we have to contend with in this present age, obviously God is trying to tell us something.On Wednesday morning, September 9th, I woke up seeing something that I had never seen in my lifetime.  I awakened wondering if I was dreaming or experiencing an optical illusion because everything outside appeared to be orange, and the streetlights remained on until 11 am.  Scientifically, this was the case in many parts of the Bay Area due to fires in numerous places.  For me, I will always remember this as a “Dark Wednesday.”

Spiritually, I still believe that God is trying to tell us something.  For example, Jesus forewarned us, in Matthew 24:29, saying that in the last days:  “The sun shall be darkened, the moon shall not give her light, the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.”  Although the sun on Wednesday, September 9th, was a darkened due to local fires, we can imagine what the world (not just the Bay Area) will look like when Jesus Christ returns because Jesus said “the sun shall be darkened…” (Mt. 24:29).

What will it take for people to turn to the Lord?  What else does God need to do to get the world’s attention?  Until we take heed and live according to God’s will, world conditions will only get worse instead of better.

In the last six months, we have had plenty of time to rethink our lives, and some changes need to occur with each of us individually.  When people become better individually, the world will become better collectively.  Because Jesus will destroy the world with fire (a global fire) when he returns (2 Pet. 3:10), Jesus wants us (especially believers) to be ready!

In the last six months, we can examine ourselves and see what we are really about.  Deprived of the privilege of worshipping together has been tough, but the real church is not closed.  The real church is not a building but a body.  The real church is a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ.  The real church is still serving the Lord and living for God even better than ever.  The real church is still financially supporting the Ministry and the House of God with our Tithes and Offerings.

We do not need anyone to judge us or interpret who we really are.  Who we really are is clear to God and should be clear to ourselves.  To those of us who are saved and part of the real church, let’s continue to be good and faithful servants doing the will of God.  To others who are not saved, you can do now what you cannot do later.  You can be born again now, but it will be too late if you die unsaved or if you are unsaved when Jesus returns.  Being saved means that a person has a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  John 3:16 reads:  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Through all of our current adversities, God is trying to tell us something.  Let’s take heed to God’s warnings so that we do not have to suffer worse conditions.  Also, if we have already been born again, let’s share with others (especially unbelievers) what I am sharing with us in this discourse.

In conclusion, I want to see and communicate with many online.  I plan to meet online with all of our Servant Leaders in the Church Leadership Council next Tuesday, September 15th, at 6:30 pm.  Hence, I plan to schedule online fellowships with each ministry through each Servant Leader, for my goal is to connect with as many of St. John parishioners as possible.

Also, I want to thank those of us who have faithfully and generously supported St. John financially, especially in the last six months.  Please continue to give by mailing or dropping off your Tithes and Offerings to our St. John South Campus (662 South 52nd Street—Richmond, CA  94804) or by giving online through our website (sjmbc.org).  If you mail or drop off your contribution but no longer have Offering Envelopes, please include a note stating specifically how you want your money to be disbursed.