For me however the stories have been rich in illustrating and illumining truths of life, I would even go as far to say, the life of the Gospel. Over the years as I come back to the stories different things have stood out to me. For instance, on one occasion I may see the theme of responsibility. Another time through it may be the theme of friendship. Still another time may illuminate the theme of beauty in the ordinary. This time through, however, I was struck by the things that we do for the love of another.

This is seen most clearly in others’ reaction to Aragorn, the exiled king who has risen at the appointed time to reclaim his throne. It is love for him that encourages men (and women) to fight a battle they know they can’t win. It is love for him that keeps men, dwarves, elves and even horses on the Paths of the Dead, overcoming the worst fear imaginable. It is the kings voice that can call back from the brink of death those afflicted with the “black breath”. It is love for this king that causes the Lardy Arwen to exchange immortality for mortality, embracing even the heartbreak that she knows it will bring.

In our Christian walk it is no different. It is love for a King that keeps us moving forward when we feel like giving up. It is love for a King that leads us to do outrageous deeds of love and mercy (the weaponry of God’s kingdom) even when humanly speaking it seems to make little sense. It is love for a King that moves us to lay down our own lives in order to embrace the life that he has to offer us.

This weekend I am heading to Indianapolis to preach on the subject of adoption. It is my hope that my preaching will reflect this theme. As we think about answering God’s call to embrace the cause of the orphan in this world, we do it not ought of guilt, not to fill our own needs, not even for the jewels in our crown by and by. No, we do it out of love for our King, because after all that is what he has done for us.

What a King!

Have a good weekend,

Andrew

We see this clearly in chapter 12, a chapter we will look at in more detail in a couple of weeks. For now how about a teaser from Uncle John Stott:

The chapter opens with James dead, Peter in prison and Herod triumphing; it closes with Herod dead, Peter free and the word of God triumphing. Such is the power of God to overthrow hostile human plans and to establish his own in there place. Tyrants may be permitted for a time to boast and bluster, oppressing the church and hindering the spread of the gospel, but they will not last. In the end, their empire will be broken and their pride abased.

On Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, our very fine missions team will be sponsoring a weekend to focus on just how we see the Word of God triumphing around the world, often in the face of extreme opposition. Dr. Greg Perry from Covenant Theological Seminary (who has also spent a number of years abroad) will teach throughout the weekend with the goal of helping us to reflect on missions around the world and specifically how we responsibly take our place.

As I said we are being swept along in a wonderful story, not simply the book of Acts, but the continuing outworking of the Gospel today. Wouldn’t it be worthwhile to join your brothers and sisters in a weekend of reflection? (Details on time and place below.)

See you this weekend

Andrew