“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” Hebrews 12:2,3.
Carol and I just returned from one week in Europe – mostly Germany. While there, we toured old town squares – so picturesque – and invariably we went through the massive stone church always situated right in the centre of it all. Just thinking about the logistics of erecting these monoliths with technology from the 1100s is mind boggling! These medieval people went to great lengths to express the centrality of God to their lives. One can’t help but be moved by their devotion.
Over time, however, they were not able to transfer their faith to their children. Oh, I know it wasn’t simplistic. Plagues and wars interfered, Catholics fought with Protestants – politics, as ever, poked its nose into everything. Greed and envy surfaced, and in the end, you were not left with faith in Christ, but in religion – lists of dos and don’ts. Not very appealing, until today these buildings are seen as a museum at best and an oddity at worst (why would these people build such an edifice to religion?)
Doesn’t the Old Testament record of Israel’s relationship with God forewarn us? Lest we become haughty as we selectively interpret history, we should also know that too easily we can be just like them, and instead of vibrant faith move into formal – and dead religion.
Church is not a building – church is the personal reign of Christ in the hearts of His people. We don’t play some kind of religious game – we are not in some kind of holy club, nor is churchgoing a place to advance our business concerns. The church is a divine entity – the eternal Lord expressing himself to the world through a group of redeemed but flawed people.
I just finished reading the ‘faith chapter’ of Hebrews 11. Vibrant faith stories all – some with miracles attached and some with suffering attached. All of these looked to God’s eternal promises: the coming Kingdom; personal cleansing from sin; God’s personal presence and filling; eternity spent with Him.
So, whether you feel happy, revived, warm all over – or not, let me encourage you to resolve afresh to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
“Give a few real Christians half a chance and they will get together and organize and plan regular meetings for prayer and worship. In these meetings they will hear the Scriptures expounded, break bread together in one form or another according to their light, and try as far as possible to spread the saving gospel to the lost world…” AW Tozer.
Pastor Leon Throness
Don’t forget the upcoming Bible Book Club on Sunday August 10 at 9am in the Coffee Connection. A time to share what God is saying to you through His Word!
