“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; ....” (Isaiah 9:6)
This is an often quoted Scripture at this time of year. I had actually been thinking of this passage before someone brought it to my attention last night. I knew then that the Lord was wanting us all to be aware of it.
Specifically, He wants us to be aware of the increase He has been and is bringing to us. Often, however, we look for increases in tangible ways before spiritual ways. We learn from Hebrews 11:2 that the things which are visible are firstly formed within the things that are invisible. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 we are reminded that we must walk by faith and not by sight. The increase in the spiritual/unseen that God had brought to Freedom Centre has been confirmed to me by a few people.
This is an important declaration as we conclude our series on the core values and mission statement of the church. These are not simply platitudes: these are spiritual frameworks that God is building on the foundation of Jesus. Generosity, Truth, Freedom, Servanthood, Worship, Grace, Power, Inspiration, Honour, Prayer, Impartation, and Vision, along with God’s mission for this church, have all been spiritually established here.
Look at more than the first couples phrases but at the two verses of Isaiah 9:
Jesus is establishing and increasing His rule in authority and power (government) at the Freedom Centre and it will increase without end. Coming to the conclusion of this series is by no means the conclusion of what Jesus is doing in our midst. I look forward to the continued increase. I look forward to the invisible becoming visible.
Bless you this Christmas! Bless you for 2013!
Journeying with you, Pastor Merril
