The past 5 weeks, we as a church have been going through the letters that were given to John the Apostle from Jesus Christ, and then delivered to the 7 churches of Asia Minor. These churches were started and run by John himself according to research, and he would check in with them periodically to commune with their leaders and their staff.
This model he established was much like Paul had done with the Acts churches, and what now modern denominations are doing with churches. But unfortunately, this replication of what worked for these 1st century churches were a product of a watershed movement that was exploding all over that area of the world. Not like the situation we find ourselves in now.
As I survey most situations now, the biggest reason that we have gone back to this cadre type of stability is because we are trying hard to NOT close churches. When I read our news of the culture now, or when I am in meetings regarding the health and state of the church in general, we are finding that not only are churches closing, but people are not showing up to attend, and pastors are not staying pastors.
These 3 indicators are the main reason why we see the message of Christ being pushed aside, claimed as hate, and placed into the mainstream vision of what religion is. And that is NOT Christ’s message.
Jesus said:
John 17:3 NIV Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
John 15:13-16 NIV Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
Jesus wants relationship with us. He doesn’t need us to solve everything, in fact He said through Paul:
Philippians 4:19 NIV And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
He just wants us to trust in Him, to obey Him, to follow Him. It really isn’t that hard. We think that we need to make it about what is going on in this world, or what is happening in our lives at the time, or about the injustices that we see all around us. (and yes, there are many) But God is telling us over and over to just trust in Him. Place our faith in Him. He has a plan; He has things in control. In fact, I am beginning to see that when I feel like things are completely out of control, that is when HE shows HE is completely IN CONTROL!
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Psalm 125:2 NIV As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
In the hard times we learn, and in the difficult times He knows we who believe will turn to Him. Even those who don’t believe look to Him in hard times. It’s unfortunate that this seems to be the only time we actually look to Him regularly. Because it should be an everyday, every situation type of thing – but He knows us, He understands us. And He will extend to us peace that only He can give, even when we only seek Him in tough times.
John 14:27 NIV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.
Let’s focus on Him. In everything. Yes, it will be hard, uncomfortable and sometimes feel like we aren’t actually “doing” something. But turning to Him in everything is courageous and fulfilling. And it will guide us in relationship with Him.
Peace,
PTV
PS… I keep hearing that old hymn by Song by Edward Mote and William Batchelder Bradbury…
My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.
He is our hope and King.