“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
It was John Piper who first drew my attention to the little word “joy” in this, one of the shortest of all Jesus’ parables. We learn from the Lord’s teaching that finding the Kingdom of God is worth giving up everything in this world for. That truth alone is worth a month of teaching, but we must also not overlook joy even as we lose all for the sake of Christ (James 1:2; Heb.10:34 etc). In this materialistic 21st century this is a foreign truth, even in some churches.
Today it seems there is much anxiety and negativity around. We live in the midst of much social injustice as well as political and economic uncertainty. People fear losing their wealth and wellbeing. Churches are feeling it too. It sometimes seems as if we are more weighed down by the burdens of the world than having a burden for the lost. Why is this the case? Is the world too much with us? Are we in fear of losing that which will be left behind anyway? Are we clinging too tightly to the hotel keys instead of the keys to our Eternal home?
The solution is clearly to look again at the Kingdom treasure we have in Christ. All the more meditating on the gospel Word of God and praying to the King of the Kingdom. ‘For every one look at this world, take ten looks at Christ.’ – (Spurgeon). We don’t need to check our Facebook for the 20th time today, we need to meditate on Scripture. We don’t need to watch another YouTube video, we need to pray. We don’t need to indulge in our sin, we need to delight in the Saviour and experience the joy of seeking the Kingdom even in the midst of losing every earthly thing. May the Lord give us Kingdom joy because only then will we be emboldened to share it with others who desperately need our hope.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Amen!
Where is the PB
It’s been a busy start to the year and many exciting opportunities for the gospel have opened up. In the midst of many challenges, the gospel is advancing steadily through faithful servants in the Spirit’s power.
Visiting St Stephens in Kurgersdorp, with Rev Jeremy
A breakfast meeting with some of the Gauteng clergy
City Gate team visiting the PB’s home on their national tour.
A scene from the City Gate outreach team national campus tour
An encouraging preaching visit to Christ Church Blairgowrie
With Rev Mark Parris at Durbanville Community Church (left)
Durbanville’s new sanctuary (right)
Meeting overseas visitors at GWC. Dr David Höhne, Mr Jonathan Moore, Archbishop Peter Jensen, Rev. Mark Dickson.
An informative, motivating and gospel-centred EC area council meeting.
Remember all our bishops and ministers who labour conscious of their weakness in the Lord’s strength. Pray particularly for Bishop Joe Bell and the family as they mourn the passing of Christine Bell. Remember also to pray for Bishop Jomo Mchunu as he undergoes cancer treatment.
Pray for the upcoming national clergy conference, that it will be a time of refreshing and encouragement for all our ministers.
Pray for God to be at work in power to save souls as the gospel is declared in our churches over the Easter season
Pray for our government in this time of upheaval. Pray that they will do what is right and just and that God’s purposes will prevail.
