Dearly beloved in the Lord, greetings! It’s been a joy sharing fellowship and study of God’s Word with you all since the last edition of our church magazine. Working with all the ministers and volunteers has been a delight and watching the rapid growth and renewed interest in our children and youth leaves me both thankful and hopeful for our church. God bless you all for your dedication to the ministry in Jesus name! Now, we have another opportunity to make a difference. Let me tell you how.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said as follows, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
This light bulb is a stark reminder to me of the above profound injunction. At no time in the his- tory of this world has it become so compelling than now, and it is not difficult to understand why. But first, who are the light of the world? It is you! It is me! It is everyone everywhere who claims Jesus as saviour. Jesus said, all such people are a ‘city’ (Greek: Polis), set on a hill which cannot be hidden.
In other words, he says that the world we are in is full of darkness. That is very true, because light is unnecessary in the absence of darkness. In our world, the hearts of many are darkened by sin and all forms of vices-godlessness, unbelief, wickedness, social injustice and political oppression, economic inequalities, cheating, strange philosophies so dangerous that many, especially vulnerable children and youth are held captive by them, etc. Every Christian has been called and equipped with light shinning so bright that no darkness can withstand it.
The lamp stand is not located inside our already lighted living room. Nor it is to be limited to the comfort of our beautiful church pews. Rather, it is out there where darkness prevails; and it is out there in the highly soured societies around us. When on May 3, some of us, together with from other surrounding churches gathered here in our church, prayed and undertook a prayer walk in and around Hallunda and Norsborg; when on the last Saturday of every month evangelical out- reach takes place outside the walls of our church; when you go out of your way to invite someone to hear the gospel in church, we give a pragmatic, functional definition of the lampstand. As a Christian, you are lightened to lighten others and your environment. You are salt that is sweet- ened to sweeten others. Only when we strive to justify those two expectations can our lives truly bring glory to the Lord. And that to me, is the best lesson from the summer sunlight! So, wake up child of God! The world needs that light and that salt today more than ever.
In conclusion, as the summer season effectively begins and members make their holiday trips, may the Lord’s presence go with you wherever you go in Jesus mighty name! For those that will remain behind, remember the biblical injunction to take out time to rest. Our church services will continue uninterrupted throughout the holiday. Do not forsake the assembling of one another as is the manner of some. (Hebrews 10:25).
Rev. Sam. E. Nweze
May 2023
