Taking Jesus At His Word

Send us Fan Mail Sunday 27 September 2026 I believe that my grandchildren are growing up in an age that is significantly different from any other time in history. Never has a previous generation had access to so much “stuff”. They live in a post-modern, post-Christian era, where the institutional church is declining in our country; where so-called experts claim that Christianity is no different to any other religion, and that no religion is the best way to have peace on the earth. They have access to the most evil and perverted material with just a tap on a screen, and reports tell us that they are lonelier and more anxious than any previous generation. And they are turning away from Christianity. The group of “Nones” is growing.  But you and I are in this same culture. And we also are being influenced by what is going on around us. And if we speak out against something that we consider evil or sinful, contrary to God’s plan for all humans, we are told we have a “phobia” – fearful of anything that is different. And now there are laws in our country that can put us in jail for 10 years if we dare to criticise anyone or anything.  So we tend to “pull our heads in” and stay quiet. Every day attacks and challenges are made on the Christian faith, and still we remain quiet. I think we are in danger of becoming like the proverbial “frog in a kettle”. The culture of this age is gradually influencing us and we’re not even aware that we’re being boiled in it.  Now it’s not all bad news. There is a renewed interest in spiritual matters – it’s just that people are not interested in the institutional church. They are asking questions about life and faith, but they don’t want to be branded with a denominational name.  In Matthew 8 the centurion trusted in the love of Jesus. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. We too need to grow in our trust so that we take Jesus at his word. It is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. It’s time to speak the gospel more clearly, to take God at his word. Paul wrote: Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  1 Corinthians 15:1 NIV-UK.  Pastor Robert Voigt