Past and Future 4 Let your light shine 

North Berwick regularly appears high on the list of the most desirable places to live in the country. There’s nothing new about this. In the mid 1800’s North Berwick was booming and was known as ‘The Biarritz of the North’.

Where did the church of Jesus Christ figure in all this?   St Andrew’s Church in Kirk Ports was 200 years old. It was dark inside and affected by dampness. As the town prospered and flourished was the parish church destined to be increasingly marginalised?

In an act of faith a bigger, bolder building was erected on the High Street. It opened in 1883 with the tower being added in 1907. It is the building we worship in today. We reap the benefits of this visionary development.

The church is at the centre of the community. The location right in the middle of the High Street makes it the most strategic place in the entire town.  Why is the building used so heavily by all kinds of organisations? Because it is equally accessible no matter where you live in the town.

The church is also highly visible. The height of the tower with its flagpole on top, the four clock faces and the bell that chimes the hour makes the St Andrew Blackadder building unmissable.

Jesus instructed his disciples ‘You are the light of the world… Let your light shine’ (Matthew 5:14,16). Far from being ashamed or apologetic about our faith we let others see the light of Christ in us. We live out our faith both boldly and humbly. While we do not impose it, we are very public about it.

The building we worship in speaks of a conviction that Jesus Christ should be at the centre of every part of life. Discipleship is not simply for Sundays. It impacts commerce and tourism, leisure and business. Boldly yet humbly we witness to the way that Jesus makes every aspect of life deeper, better and stronger. Wisely and courageously we follow in the footsteps of those who went before us who were convinced that faith belongs to the core, not the periphery. The gospel transforms entire communities not just individuals.

Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1)

Witness 1: St Andrew, who brought people to Jesus – Sermon 18/1/26

Witness 2: John Blackadder, who preached the word in season and out of season – All Age Talk 25/1/26

Witness 3: The people who founded the church of St Andrew in North Berwick.  ‘Make the most of every opportunity’ (Colossians 4:5).

Witness 4: St Andrew’s Church, Kirk Ports: ‘Hear the word of the Lord’ (Ezekiel 37:4)

Witness 5: Blackadder Free Church: ‘Go. I am sending you’ (Exodus 3:10)

Witness 6: The people behind the building we worship in today: ‘Let your light shine’ (Matthew 5:16)

Neil

Rev Dr Neil Dougall