What's the National Leader of the Baptist Union of New Zealand been thinking about lately? Find out in this video update from Chris Chamberlain – see the abridged transcript below.
Kia ora New Zealand Baptist whānau,
What would you be willing to speak up for? I feel a bit exposed when I ask myself this question because sometimes, I’m not very good at speaking up about the right stuff. I have been known to occasionally speak up about the wrong stuff! I can speak out of turn. But kingdom people will find it hard to resist talking about symptoms of the kingdom that Jesus announces. I’ve become more aware of this over the past year of the lines in the Old Testament that show God’s priority for the least. This is a link that Jesus draws through his kingdom announcements and ministry.
Here’s a couple of examples from the Old Testament:
- Proverbs 14:31 warns of our contempt for God when we oppress the poor.
- Deuteronomy 15: 11 requires what you might call open handedness by God’s people for the needy.
- Psalm 140 verse 12 declares that God will secure justice for the poor.
But the one that has really struck me is the line in Isaiah chapter 2 which talks about our swords being turned into ploughshares. It’s an image of peace instead of war.
Our New Zealand Baptist movement has had some very radical characters who were kingdom of God operatives in this regard. I’m thinking of Mike Riddell, JK Archer, Dame Vivian Boyd, Hopestill Pillow, Rosalie Mc George. Each of them was activated by the gospel of the kingdom. They were unable to keep it to themselves. Learning the vision of Jesus they said ‘yes’ to it and that changed the direction of their lives.
When Baptist people are captivated by Jesus they often engage in radical behaviour for his cause because they want to see his kingdom come. Now, I know a few people in our movement who are like that today. But have the rest of us gone quiet? Do we even agree with Jesus’ kingdom vision? Maybe it’s the church in general that seems to be too quiet.
I wonder what reaction these recent news articles have generated in your local church or in your own heart. Prayer? A call to action? Or just silence?
- The murder of a senior Chin Baptist pastor in Chin State Myanmar. He was the pastor of his church for 25 years.
- The death or near-death of several patients in the Waikato Hospital ED. An incredible thing to be happening in an apparently first world country
- The voyeuristic repeated playing of video clips showing the flash flooding in Nepal from a couple of weeks ago.
My favourite line of prayer right now is related to these terrible stories that I've just outlined: May your kingdom come, Lord. Lord. May your kingdom come. There is so much evidence that we need your kingdom. Come, Lord Jesus.
Sometimes when I kind of get a flash of insight, I wonder if God's answer to that prayer, may your kingdom come, is staring at me in the mirror.
Thanks,
Chris
Read more Together columns from Chris:
Together: One family across the Pacific
Together: Look how God is moving in our young people
Together: NZ Baptists have been affirming women in church leadership for 50 years
