"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear." (John 16: 12)
God receives each of us in the same way - just as we are. He does not expect us to be up to a certain level of maturity in our spiritual journey that we are not ready for. He says to each of us, "I have much more to say to you..."
Jesus went on to say, "when the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth".
Rev Moodie explained how he believed that the "truth" Jesus spoke about was not some body of knowledge, not certain facts, not even certain things that had to be grasped intellectually or believed about God. No, the Spirit of Truth is a different kind of truth. For Jesus truth was something to live, to be revealed in one's life and actions.
Jesus invites us to become true and sincere human beings - to see to it that our hearts, our words and our actions, particularly with regard to our weaknesses and failings, are true. Integrity, he said, is about making sure that you are the same person on the inside, as you are on the outside. Jesus invites us today, to become sincere and true human beings, to live a transparent life.
Jesus said, "when the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth".
Rev Moodie challenged the congregation: What might that mean for me and you today?
One of life's greatest fears, said Mr Moodie, concerns the future - things that we can't predict. However if we are living true then Jesus has promised that, "the Spirit of truth will tell you what is yet to come".
The Spirit of God reminds us that, whatever difficulties might lie ahead, nothing can separate us from the love of god, in Christ Jesus.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38, 39)
All will be well. And all Manner of things will be well.(Julian of Norwich). God's love will have the final say.
As he finished, the Rev Moodie left the congregation with three questions:
1 What might it mean for you today, to know that God receives you just as you are?
2 What might it mean for you today, to become more and more, a person of truth - to become a true and sincere human being?
3 What might it mean for you today, as you look perhaps towards an uncertain future, to know that God's love will have the final say, that all will be well and that nothing in all creation will be able to separate you from the love of God?
Pulpit Vacany Update:
12th June
Congregation vote to confirm the terms and conditions as agreed by the Session and Committee of 'The Call' for Rev Brian Moodie.
19th June
Following our Children’s Day Service we will hold our vote on Calling the Rev Brian Moodie and if at least two thirds (67%) of those present agree to Calling him, we will Sign 'The Call’.
Click here for a Personal Profile of Rev Moodie.