A wounded pastor plants a church …

This morning had to be one of the most exciting days ever for Randall Tonini who, after almost 9 years in youth ministry, this morning led the launch of a new church plant called Grace City Church that he will now pastor in the University City area of San Diego.

A few other churches came to support the launch, along with a musician buddy who helped lead portions of worship.

The house was packed, the fellowship warm and inviting, and the worship heart-felt. Then came time for the sermon.

What I couldn’t help but notice was that Randall was wounded.

Okay, before I attach any spiritual meaning to that observation, let me say right away that in the dim light of the room, I couldn’t help but notice a finger on Randall’s left hand had a large, white bandage wrapped around it. Apparently, he had wounded a finger, and since preacher’s tend to “use their hands” when they talk, that big white bandage kept drawing the attention of my eye as Randall waved his hands around, kind of like how bouncing a laser dot captivates the curiosity of a cat.

Only then did it jump out at me how fitting that was at the launch of a new church — a “wounded pastor” being used by God to expand His family in this area.

God uses the wounded because sin has wounded us all.

No matter how we may try to doctor, distort, hide, or otherwise disguise how sin has wounded us, those wounds will show through.

Sin breaks us!

There is no bandage for the wounds of our sins, those require something much greater. Those require Someone greater who can bear such wounds and overcome them for us. And this morning, this wounded pastor told us Who could do just that …

He [Jesus] never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. – 1 Peter 2:22-24.

Here was a man who had been broken by sin but healed by a Savior through His wounds for us, bringing to this community the message of hope for such healing for them, also.

This morning Randall may have been wearing a bandage for a physical wound, but the wounds to his soul had already been healed through the wounds of Jesus Christ on His behalf. Today, that message that by the wounds of Christ we are healed from the wounds of sin will begin to become more pervasive in this community through the birth of a new faith family.

A faith family comprised of people who have all been wounded by sin, but saved through the wounds of their Savior.

Wounded people who have found healing for their wounds are usually enthusiastic about telling other wounded people how they, also, can be healed. And so this morning God is using more wounded people in a new way to save many other wounded ones. It’s going to be an exciting time!

Have you found healing for the wounds sin has caused in your life? Have you discovered the salvation Jesus Christ offers you through the wounds He suffered on your behalf?

Scotty