God holds court at Sutherland Basketball Stadium
Our meeting didn’t happen in quarters. Nor was the shot clock triggered. And the only attempts from downtown came from the Apostle Paul. But you could say someone greater than Michael Jordan was on the court Sunday night as evening church gathered to hear God’s voice from Ephesians chapter four at the Sutherland District Basketball Association.
It was the first time evening church had gathered in the same room since COVID restrictions first came into play in late March. (The service the week prior at Jannali Uniting Church was held across two rooms.)
True, things were a little different than they were in March. Some wore face-masks, there was no singing, and chairs had to be spaced out like an exam room (or lunchtime detention, depending which memories dominate one’s mind). But it was a joyful time to be listening to God, talking to one another, and speaking with our Father in heaven, after such a leave of absence.
Andrew Barry opened up Ephesians 4:7-16, a section of the Bible that hones in on our responsibility to minister to one another as God’s people. It was a helpful part of the Bible to think about, since we are more aware than ever of opportunities we now have for ministry to one another outside of our Sunday service times. Leaders of kids, youth and adults were encouraged to be those who equip others for works of service. All of us were urged to see that we have an active part to play in speaking the truth in love, to grow the body of Christ into maturity. Members of the congregation also stood and shared some great thoughts about how to apply what we’d heard.
‘But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.’ (Ephesians 4:15-16)
It was a big a reminder that church doesn’t consist of a building but of Christ’s forgiven people. As long as we have Bibles to open, we have all we need. In fact, we are content that God is advancing his purposes for godliness among us. And as they say: ‘the best defence is a great offence’.