Lansdowne Life 18 October 2018

Haunting words from Jeremiah who, elsewhere in his
honest prophecy, self identifies as the weeping
prophet.
His tears are for the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He
feels the pain of the final days of this crumbling
nation.
Yet even now, they will not admit wrongdoing and
change course. With the enemy right at the gates,
they still want to point the finger of blame at others
for the situation they are facing. This lack of self -
criticism or self–questioning is staggering. But it’s a
stubborn hallmark of human nature.
It is such dangerous self-delusion which is evident in
our text. God has not rescued them. They are at a
tipping point. There is no alternative.
Societies can reach that moment. Western culture
may have already done so.
And so can people.
But there is hope. Jeremiah calls the nation to return
to God. To stop the self justification and embrace a
path of repentance and change.
That is the glorious offer we hold out to the world. To
our neighbours, friends and colleagues. And indeed to
ourselves, as we look in the mirror. We need to be
saved. Saved from our spiritual blindness and pride.
Maybe the Harvest has not quite past in the UK, but
very nearly. But as I watch the nights drawing in, the
summer has certainly ended.
Yet in this month of October we have a number of
opportunities as a Church to offer hope to
Bournemouth, to say to individuals, “it’s not too
late!” Students beginning or returning to University,
Internationals, office workers, shoppers, are among
those who need to hear the good news.
A new Alpha Course, the Lansdowne Central mission
out of East Cliff with the invitation, “Try Church”,
are just two of the many ways in which we can point
others to the rescue God provides in His Son. A rescue
we need ourselves on a daily basis.
Let the hymn writer nail our greatest need. “Nothing
in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling!”
Peter Baker | Senior Minister