on matters of the Church (pt.1)
For years there has been the ongoing discussion regarding effective ministry models for today's culture. And rightly so, we should keep this matter open for discussion as we continue to translate the unchanging message of Christ to a constantly changing contemporary world. We consistently bicker over ways to make the Gospel relevant to our current culture. I must speak on this.
The Gospel is always relevant.
The Gospel is what it is and will never need to be amended in order to connect with current trends. Authors are spending time inventing so-called hidden mysteries in the message of Jesus and shifting the focus from Christ's redemptive work toward his socio-political impact. This is nonsense. I do indeed advocate the continued study of the Word of God in order to deepen our understanding of the message as well as the spirit in which it is lived out daily through his followers. I believe that the reformation continues on as we peel and examine the layers of this faith. But we must not forget that there is nothing new under the sun. That which occurs today has had its roots in the past.
The Word of God is living. The Bible details not only what happened, but what happens, and will continue to happen. Our culture and time is not entirely unique. there are particulars that set it in distinction amidst the annuls of human history, but the core principles remain the same. I am man and God is God. I am fallen and can not restore relationship with God despite my finest efforts. God doesn't need to reach out to save me from my pit of sinfulness, but he chooses to through his deeply divine love. He extends his grace, mercy, love, and righteousness to me through the sending of his son Jesus who dies and is raised again for the forgiveness of my sins. I can choose to accept or reject the blessed reconciliation. These matters remain relevant no matter the society or culture.
The issue that must remain in discussion is how to relay this message to a world that has continued to reject it. The message is surely going to be expressed differently in St. Louis than it will be in San Francisco or Juneau or Beloit or Cancun or Calcutta. Yet, no matter where in the world the word is being spread, the matters that are paramount are as follows:
God loves us and desires to restore relationship with us.
When we respond to God's divine invitation the natural response should be worship.
Worship of God is our expression of love to him for so many more reasons than we could ever begin to count.
Our love of God takes first priority in life.
In loving God we then can genuinely love others.
Love of others is displayed through the sharing of assets and the aid of those within the fellowship of the body of Christ as well as beyond said Body.
The love of God and of others is also displayed through the development of disciples who are well instructed in the Word and equipped to carry the message to even more people.
You'll notice that I am emphatic upon a few points. My hope is that these issues would not be neglected. However, I am sad to say that I often see church bodies that focus singularly upon an aspect of the Gospel and neglect the remainder. This can not be so!
I have more thoughts on these matters, but need a short break. Warning! More to come...
The Gospel is always relevant.
The Gospel is what it is and will never need to be amended in order to connect with current trends. Authors are spending time inventing so-called hidden mysteries in the message of Jesus and shifting the focus from Christ's redemptive work toward his socio-political impact. This is nonsense. I do indeed advocate the continued study of the Word of God in order to deepen our understanding of the message as well as the spirit in which it is lived out daily through his followers. I believe that the reformation continues on as we peel and examine the layers of this faith. But we must not forget that there is nothing new under the sun. That which occurs today has had its roots in the past.
The Word of God is living. The Bible details not only what happened, but what happens, and will continue to happen. Our culture and time is not entirely unique. there are particulars that set it in distinction amidst the annuls of human history, but the core principles remain the same. I am man and God is God. I am fallen and can not restore relationship with God despite my finest efforts. God doesn't need to reach out to save me from my pit of sinfulness, but he chooses to through his deeply divine love. He extends his grace, mercy, love, and righteousness to me through the sending of his son Jesus who dies and is raised again for the forgiveness of my sins. I can choose to accept or reject the blessed reconciliation. These matters remain relevant no matter the society or culture.
The issue that must remain in discussion is how to relay this message to a world that has continued to reject it. The message is surely going to be expressed differently in St. Louis than it will be in San Francisco or Juneau or Beloit or Cancun or Calcutta. Yet, no matter where in the world the word is being spread, the matters that are paramount are as follows:
God loves us and desires to restore relationship with us.
When we respond to God's divine invitation the natural response should be worship.
Worship of God is our expression of love to him for so many more reasons than we could ever begin to count.
Our love of God takes first priority in life.
In loving God we then can genuinely love others.
Love of others is displayed through the sharing of assets and the aid of those within the fellowship of the body of Christ as well as beyond said Body.
The love of God and of others is also displayed through the development of disciples who are well instructed in the Word and equipped to carry the message to even more people.
You'll notice that I am emphatic upon a few points. My hope is that these issues would not be neglected. However, I am sad to say that I often see church bodies that focus singularly upon an aspect of the Gospel and neglect the remainder. This can not be so!
I have more thoughts on these matters, but need a short break. Warning! More to come...
posted by Gregg @ 8:07 AM
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