Hope for the World

     When a church is working right it presents and represents Jesus Christ, the hope of the world.  I hope you attend such a church.  It can make Sunday the highlight of your week!

     Sadly, many churches have stopped presenting hope for the world.  And most of their members didn’t realize it! These churches gradually became “Christian Clubs” with songs, rituals and gatherings that focus inward instead of outward. They serve themselves, not others.

     “Now hold it just a minute,” you say. “What does a church that’s ‘working right’ look like?”

     Great question!  And to answer it we turn to the Bible, the only authoritative Word of God for the church of Jesus Christ.  There, in the New Testament book of Acts, we find the answer. 

     The church was a vibrant growing group of people focused on worship, prayer, God’s Word, fellowship and serving others. They proclaimed the simple gospel of Jesus Christ:  “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”  Lives were changed for good.

     The result was that “everyone was filled with awe” and the church grew incredibly fast. 

     What a church! It was the ‘happening place’ in Jerusalem. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?  Broken lives were restored and desperate people found help.  The fearful found peace, the empty were filled with purpose and those overcome with sorrow found joy.  It was amazing!

     Sadly, most Christians have settled for a church that is so much less.  In some the worship service is the most boring hour of the week.  Where is the awe and excitement?  What happened?

     What happened is that man tried to ‘improve’ on God’s plan for the church.  Some groups stopped taking the gospel message to others altogether and focused instead on fellowship.

     Other groups strayed from the simple gospel of Christ.  Instead of teaching forgiveness for all our sins as a gift of God, they taught you must believe in Jesus Christ AND follow a bunch of laws, ordinances and rituals.  Rather than salvation by GRACE, it was by ‘Good Works.’

     Some even went so far as to say, “The most damnable, heretical doctrine ever proclaimed by man is ‘saved by grace.’” Amazing–since that’s how God says we are saved from sin!

     The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

     Once we understand that forgiveness and a new life are God’s gift, everything changes.  The joy and freedom that result from faith in Christ are indescribable! Money and things, while still necessary, lose their attraction.  Religious rule keeping is replaced by a relationship with Christ. 

     People whose lives are truly changed by the gospel want everyone to have the same joy and freedom they have in Christ.  The love of God in their hearts gives them a compassion and love for others—just like Jesus had.  Life is no longer just about them and their desires.

     A Church with leaders and people like that is an oasis of hope in a hopeless world.

     When a church is ‘working right’ lives are transformed, prejudice is overcome, failures are forgiven and selfishness is replaced with a concern for others. Genuine hope becomes a reality.

     The solution is for people to return to the message and mission of the church in the Bible.

     If you’re not a part of a church like the Bible describes, change yours or find one that is!

     The church I pastor is not, nor is any church, ‘perfect.’ But we do have a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ.  Through faith in him we have peace with God, joy in our hearts and the forgiveness of sin.  We have Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to provide, protect and lead us. 

     All of that, plus God’s promise of eternal life--now that’s real hope for the world!

     Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!