Corona Update

Dear Strand Baptist Family,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

On Monday, 23 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 21-day national lockdown which will commence at midnight on Thursday. The previously announced state of disaster has already led to the suspension of our Sunday Worship Services. The lockdown means that all other church activities will also have to be suspended until the 16th of April 2020.

How will the lockdown affect our SBC family?
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1. Sunday Services: These will remain suspended until the 19th of April 2020. A new message will still be made available on the website every Sunday.
2. Bible Studies and Prayer meetings: These have been suspended from today until Saturday, the 18th of April 2020.
3. AGM: The Executive felt that it would be irresponsible to continue with our AGM and put our members at risk on the eve of a national shutdown. The AGM will be rescheduled for the 29th of April 2020, pending the end of the lockdown on the 19th of April.
4. Office: Our church office will be closed from Friday, the 27th of March to Thursday, the 16th of April 2020. Where possible work will continue from home. Because of the national lockdown Pastor Pieter has delayed his sabbatical, which would have commenced on the 1st of April. You will be able to contact Pastor Pieter on his cell phone or via email. We will provide as much pastoral support as we are able.
5. Care: Our care ministry is in contact with those who need our support and assistance. Should you need help or support you can contact Dieter Meyer, our elder for care. We request that those who contribute to our food parcels rather make a financial contribution, which will be distributed to those in need. Please earmark such donations “Care Contribution”.

In 2 Corinthians 4:16 the apostle Paul says something remarkable: “So we do not lose heart…” How could he not lose heart? Earlier in the chapter he mentioned being “afflicted” and “perplexed” (v. 8), “persecuted” and “struck down” (v. 9). He even mentioned “carrying in the body the death of Jesus” (v. 10). Paul and his fellow labourers suffered for the sake of the gospel, yet “we do not lose heart”. How was that possible?

Paul had a different perspective on his suffering. First, he understood that God was renewing him day by day. Outward suffering was countered with inward renewal (v. 16). Through his trials the Lord sustained and sanctified him. Later Paul would even say: “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor. 12:9).

Second, he understood that God had something better planned for his children. Paul spoke of “an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (v. 17). Trials put things into perspective. When we remember all God’s glorious promises to his children, the present world and its difficulties are put in their proper place. Compared to the “glory beyond all comparison” our trials are “light” and “momentary” (v. 17).

Third, he understood where his treasure should be. Paul instructs us to “look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen” (v. 18). Don’t lose sight of eternity. Why? Because “the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Our hope is secure with Christ in glory. Nothing will change that. Isaiah 54:10 speaks volumes of God’s faithfulness in times of calamity: “For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain.”

These three truths help us to “not lose heart”. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Because of Christ,
Pastor Pieter
(on behalf of the SBC Executive)