St John's Kirk of Perth

THE REVOLUTIONARY RELEVANCE OF ST JOHN’S KIRK IN THE 21ST CENTURY
At St John’s Kirk of Perth, we believe that education is an essential aspect of our faith
journey, where we explore and deepen our understanding of Christian beliefs and their
relevance to our lives in the world today. Our educational programs and resources are
designed to share the profound message of God's love, justice, and peace with all who
seek to know more about Him.

A Summary of Christian Belief: God’s Invitation
God created the world and all its creatures, including men and women, in His image.
Unfortunately, by breaking His laws, humanity has fractured its relationship with God
and marred His beautiful creation. This separation from God is evident not only in the
world around us but also within our own hearts and lives.
The Bible brings us the Good News that God’s love for us remains steadfast. He has
expressed His love uniquely through His Son, Jesus Christ, who lived among us, died
on the cross to save us from our sins, and was raised from the dead by God. This living
Jesus, in His love, invites us to turn away from our sins and, by faith, enter into a
restored relationship with God, leading to true life both now and beyond death.
With the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who remakes us in the likeness of
Jesus, we join with all Christians in worshiping God, delighting in His friendship, and
allowing ourselves to be instruments of His love, justice, and peace. This mission
extends locally and globally until Jesus returns. In Jesus’ name, we are enthusiastic to
share with you God’s message for everyone - ‘YOU MATTER TO GOD!’ - and invite you
to accept His invitation.
This message, commissioned as a user-friendly expression of the Christian faith, was
authorized by the General Assembly in 1992 and continues to inspire our educational
efforts.

A Lesson for Today
In 1559, within the walls of St John’s Kirk, John Knox delivered powerful sermons that
connected contemporary social issues with the timeless good news of God’s grace
through Jesus. This historical approach serves as an example for meaningful and
relevant worship today. In 2024, the Perth Presbytery re-issued ‘God’s invitation,’

reinforcing the revolutionary good news and continuing the legacy of John Knox’s
impactful teachings.
 

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