God’s Continuing Mission

Certain moments in history you remember when you heard about them
JFK, Berlin Wall, Diana death, 9/11

Don’t know whether Friday’s result will be one of them?
32nd highest Leave area out of 400 areas at 63.2%

3 things I do know coming out of it

Anger – very uncivilised campaign, divided nation – ages, class, region. Lot of rudeness on social media
Fear – internationals feeling unwelcome, worried for future
Feeling manipulated – some reported wished they hadn’t voted the way they did

Fear > Manipulation > Anger

Minister into that later

God is large and in charge – Psalm 2:1-8

Acts 4 – troubled times. First response prayer
Sovereign Lord
Quoted Psalm2 back to God
God help us get on with the mission

Citizens of UK and EU – more than that citizenship in heaven Phil 3:20; Heb 11:13-16

Mission aligned with God’s mission
He has always wanted a people for Himself from all the earth to bless.

Creation – man and women in the image of God Gen 1:26
– for relationship with God Gen 3:8
Marred by sin – God given us all free choice, not robots. Relationship based on control not a relationship
1st Sacrifice to deal with sin – garments of skin to cover shame Gen 3:21
Gen 11 continued sin and pride led to Babel – separation of languages

God’s plan
Gen 12:1-3 God’s plan becomes evident
People of Israel chosen to bless every family on earth – God wants a people

Ex 19:5 treasured possession, kingdom of priests and a holy nation – meant to be a balance
More like a pendulum – never achieved it

2000yrs ago J&G utterly divided
Great time Pax Romana – easy spread of Christianity

God sent Jesus, ultimate sacrifice to win for God a people
Acts 2 Spirit came – tongues so everyone could understand – reversal of Babel, to bring people together

Both have access to God Eph 2:18
Dividing wall of hostility gone Eph 2:16

1 Peter 2:9 reiterates treasured possession, kingdom of priests, holy nation
Now have the power to do it
Christian – new creation & filled with the Spirit

End God will have his people from every nation Rev 5:9-10

Anger, fear, manipulation – nationalism and little England spirit
We have a God who is working his plan out – we get to be part of it – vision statement

Coming out of the Pax Europa – may or may not be free migration for EU citizens (int. one Brexit leader hinting that won’t go to Nick Robinson!)
God has a plan, we get to be part of it

Jesus is amazing – unites us around himself 31 nations, ages, classes, because of Him! shines to the world something amazing!

Response
1) Anger, fear of feeling manipulated – bad things, bad taste in the mouth, oppressive. Freedom!
2) Looking in today – hopefully got to see a glorious vision of God’s people the church. Something to buy into!
i) Start following Jesus
ii) Start helping to build!
3) Go out – love God, love your neighbour – leavers, retainers, foreigners and Linnets!