Tuesday, July 19, 2005
The Sermon on the...Church?
Today in class we talked about the longest of Jesus' sermons recorded in the Bible, his "Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew 5-7. Our discussion made me wonder a couple of things when it comes to what the church is all about.
What is the church? When God said, "Let there be 'church,'" what did He mean?
Did God mean big buildings, fun camps for kids, and a place for me to feel loved? Probably. Did He have in mind specific groups of people in certain places at pre-determined times? Probably.
But today, my definition of "church" got an upgrade. I already believed that God's church is made up of people who are grateful for His calling on their lives, salvation by grace through faith. We are certainly called to love God and love people. For whatever reason, it seemed new to hear thoughts about the Sermon on the Mount as it relates to what we should be doing in church....
That the church is to offer God's blessing to the poor in spirit, and embody and offer participation of the Kingdom of Heaven (5:1-10). Can we read those verses and be that blessed? Are we part of God's blessing towards others mentioned in that passage? Do those descriptions "poor in spirit" or "meek" or "peacemaker" apply to me?
That the church is to be "salt and light" with good deeds that draw the attention and admiration of those around us (5:13-16). How did our "light" come to be about shows we don't watch and words we don't say? Why did Jesus hang out with the poor and the sinners in the community?
That Jesus longs for church to NOT be a place of rules, but a place where our hearts THIRST for God, and we seek to get rid of things like hatred, lust, deceit, and revenge (5:17-42).
That God calls us to LOVE even our enemies because we have a greater goal in mind than our earthly sense of justice or comfort (the rest of Matthew 5). I must re-focus my entire way of thinking around heavenly rewards and God's Kingdom, not just on the here and now.
If you get a moment today, I'd urge you to start reading through Matthew 5-7. Am I that kind of Christian? Are we becoming that kind of church?
A major focus of our class so far has been getting us back to God's real purposes for the church. Too many churches have blown it, as human-led organizations do tend to have their flaws. But let's not miss out on letting God set the stage, define His church, and let you and me humbly take our places in following His design...
What is the church? When God said, "Let there be 'church,'" what did He mean?
Did God mean big buildings, fun camps for kids, and a place for me to feel loved? Probably. Did He have in mind specific groups of people in certain places at pre-determined times? Probably.
But today, my definition of "church" got an upgrade. I already believed that God's church is made up of people who are grateful for His calling on their lives, salvation by grace through faith. We are certainly called to love God and love people. For whatever reason, it seemed new to hear thoughts about the Sermon on the Mount as it relates to what we should be doing in church....
That the church is to offer God's blessing to the poor in spirit, and embody and offer participation of the Kingdom of Heaven (5:1-10). Can we read those verses and be that blessed? Are we part of God's blessing towards others mentioned in that passage? Do those descriptions "poor in spirit" or "meek" or "peacemaker" apply to me?
That the church is to be "salt and light" with good deeds that draw the attention and admiration of those around us (5:13-16). How did our "light" come to be about shows we don't watch and words we don't say? Why did Jesus hang out with the poor and the sinners in the community?
That Jesus longs for church to NOT be a place of rules, but a place where our hearts THIRST for God, and we seek to get rid of things like hatred, lust, deceit, and revenge (5:17-42).
That God calls us to LOVE even our enemies because we have a greater goal in mind than our earthly sense of justice or comfort (the rest of Matthew 5). I must re-focus my entire way of thinking around heavenly rewards and God's Kingdom, not just on the here and now.
If you get a moment today, I'd urge you to start reading through Matthew 5-7. Am I that kind of Christian? Are we becoming that kind of church?
A major focus of our class so far has been getting us back to God's real purposes for the church. Too many churches have blown it, as human-led organizations do tend to have their flaws. But let's not miss out on letting God set the stage, define His church, and let you and me humbly take our places in following His design...
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