Finding God
On Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, Jon Dean led our service with the theme “Finding God.” His message spoke about the journey of seeking God in today’s world and was divided into two insightful talks: “Which Church?” and “Which Faith?” Drawing from scripture and personal experience, Jon Dean reflected on our challenges and questions when searching for God and understanding our faith.
The first reading, Corinthians 1:10-18, set the foundation for Jon’s first talk, “Which Church?” He shared his personal story of visiting various churches with his family and spoke about the diversity of worship across different denominations. Jon mentioned the “hospital church” as an example, a space where people of all faiths gather, each bringing a unique way of connecting with God. He emphasised that the issue of denomination—whether Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist or any other—is not the central problem. What truly matters is that we seek the same God regardless of how we choose to worship. He reminded us that there are countless ways to worship, but the heart of the matter is the desire to find God.
The second reading, John 14:1-11, introduced Jon’s second talk, “Which Faith?” In this passage, Jesus reassures His disciples that He is the way to God, a bridge that leads us to the Father. Jon explained how Jesus came to live among us, showing us the path to salvation, which is not something we can earn through rules or works but a gift of grace. He contrasted this with other faiths, such as Islam and Hinduism, where salvation is often tied to specific practices or rules. For Christians, however, salvation is not about what we do but about receiving the grace of Jesus Christ.
Jon then opened the floor, asking the congregation for their thoughts on what different faiths have in common. He highlighted that while there are differences, many faiths share core principles, such as valuing human life, the ability to discern right from wrong, and the understanding that our time on earth is limited. To illustrate how some faiths view Christianity, Jon referenced the well-known quote from Gandhi: “I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” This powerful quote reminded us to reflect on how we live out our faith and represent Christ in the world.
Jon concluded by addressing the growing disinterest in Christianity among the younger generation, pointing to statistics from the most recent UK census that revealed a significant percentage of people no longer identify with Christianity. This raises important questions about how we, as a church, can engage with younger generations and inspire them to find God in a meaningful and relevant way.
Jon’s message challenged us to think deeply about our faith journey, how we seek God, and how we represent our faith to the world. In a time when many are searching for meaning, his words encouraged us to remember that finding God is not about denominations or strict religious practices but about embracing the grace and love of Jesus Christ and living out that faith in a way that reflects His teachings.
#ECURC #FindingGod #ChristainFaith
By Victor Kisseih
