People Matter To God
People matter to God! That was the theme of our Archbishop’s annual address to Synod last week. Our diocese is not just an institution – it is a fellowship of individual people loved by God, reaching out to other people loved by God. He concluded with the following words of encouragement:
People matter to God.
For many, it is the very last thing that they imagine might be true. A truck driver in his 50s turned up at one of our churches in Western Sydney. He was struck by the authentic and relational way in which church members led in public prayer, and the way the Bible spoke to real life. He joined a course and found God’s grace towards him in Jesus refreshing and compelling. He is now assured in his faith and sings with joy. A man in his 20s with learning needs came to a church in the Wollongong region wanting to join a Bible study. The church worked with Youthworks’ Accessibility Ministry Advisor to create a supportive environment.
Six months later, the whole group had been blessed, and the young man has requested to be baptised.
A Middle Eastern woman started to attend English classes at a church in the Northern region. The Everyday English team gave her a Bible in her heart language. She started to attend the Easy English Bible study and church services, using the Sunflower translation app. One of the ministers suggested she connect with a congregation that speaks her language at a different Anglican Church (in a different region). Last month she was baptised and continues attending English classes at the first church, and services in her own language at the other church. Both churches are praying for her family to come to know Christ too.
A newly married couple with only vague religious background in their youth came to a church in the Northern region feeling dissatisfied with the world but finding it hard to understand the Bible. The church has prayed regularly for many years that the Lord would save their neighbours, so when the couple arrived at church, they received a warm welcome. Over eight months they read through a gospel with the MTS apprentice, as well as attending church and reading their Bibles. Along the way, they both confessed faith in Christ. He is now preparing for confirmation, and she is preparing for baptism.
Why am I telling you these stories? Because they are beautiful. Because they are just a glimpse of what God is doing among us. Because I can’t think of anything that should occupy our time more than praising God who is building his church by the proclamation of the gospel of his Son. Sins forgiven, souls saved, lives transformed, prayers answered, eternity fulfilled, the day of the Lord brought near.
People matter to God. Heaven rejoices in one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10), and heaven resounds to the sound of ten thousand times ten thousand angels who sing, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! By his blood, he ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and nation.’ (Revelation 5:9-12) Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb!
Therefore, says the Lord, ‘Go, making disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age!’ (Matthew 28:19-20) Amen!
Kanishka Raffel
Archbishop of Sydney
The script of the whole talk can be downloaded here. The video is here. I commend his talk to you.
The people of Dapto matter to God – may we pray and act for their salvation!
Grace and peace,
Mark