Let there be no mistake.  To proclaim the lordship of Jesus in all the world can never be a matter of merely inviting people to embrace a personal salvation that leaves the power structures of the world untouched.  If it is reduced to that, then in the name of the whole New Testament we must say that the Jesus of whom such a message speaks is not Jesus of Nazareth, but an idol who has usurped his name and distorted his message.  And at the same time, we must say that to work for justice and peace in the world on any basis other than the declaration that the crucified and risen Jesus is Lord of the world, and that his Spirit is at work today to implement his victory, is to fight idolatry with idolatry.  Only Jesus, the real Jesus, is Lord; only by his Spirit is there victory, is there hope.  The gospel promises the life of the age to come, the hope of resurrection, to all who turn from idols and trust in this Jesus.  The same gospel promises that, because his victorious reign has already begun, the power of his self-giving love can challenge and dethrone the usurping idols that still enslave, distort and destroy human life.  There is one gospel, because there is "one body and one Spirit & one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, on baptism, one God and Father of all" (Ephesians 4:4-6).  There is one world, one God, one gospel.  And with this gospel we, however surprisingly, have been entrusted.  We are not spectators in this drama.  We ourselves are summoned to be God's agents in bringing this earth-shattering message to the world--and to the church!--that so desperately needs it.

N.T. Wright

God is a peacemaker.  Jesus Christ is a peacemaker.  So, if we want to be God's children and Christ's disciples, we must be peacemakers too. 

John R. W. Stott, Decisive Issues Facing Christians Today

Order of Worship, October 31 2010

Grace Presbyterian Church