Thursday: In the Midst of a Crooked Generation
No question, the world needs what we have been given in Christ. It’s nothing in us, ourselves, that makes what we have so important. Rather, it is only by virtue of what we have received from Christ that gives us our imperative to reach others. And it’s precisely because we have been given so much that we are called to reach out to those who don’t have it. “ ‘Freely you have received, freely give’ ”(Matt. 10:8, NKJV).
Read Philippians 2:13-15. What are we being told here, and how does it fit in with our calling to reach out to others without falling away ourselves?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
We have to be careful about so seeking to protect ourselves from the world that we never come in contact with the souls in it. It’s very easy to stay in our own spiritual and theological comfort zone and to become spiritual introverts. Such introversion can turn into self-centered religion. How often do local churches, for instance, spend more energy battling over worship styles or doctrine than they spend in outreach to a dying world?
Robert Linthicum, in his book Empowering the Poor (pages 21-30), describes three kinds of churches.
First, the church in the city (community). This church has virtually no contact with the community. The bulk of the church’s emphasis is serving its members’ needs.
Then, there is the church to the city (community). This church knows that it must get involved in ministry to the community. It guesses what the community needs without consulting the community it serves. Then it presents programs to the community. Its ministry risks being irrelevant, with no community ownership.
Last, Linthicum speaks of the church with the city (community). This church does a demographic analysis to understand those whom it serves. Members mingle with leaders and residents of the community, asking them what their real needs are. Their service to the community is more likely to be relevant and well-received because the community has already given input and trusts the process. This church joins the community in their struggle to decide what kind of community they want and is a partner with the community toward realizing that goal. Such a church gets involved with community organizations and may help the community to add lacking services, if needed. There is a mutual ownership and buy-in of this partnership to meet real needs.
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This is very true. I live in a city where the church in the neighborhood I live in is more concerned with its members needs instead of aggregately those of the community it is in. Even though this is not my church, I can feel that they do not have a connection to the community at all since issues like insecurity are a growing risk in the community it is built in. Thank you for helping me understand more on the types of churches that are in this age.
Suppose we put up a banners about the city saying
Pray before leaving for work
and
Thank God for returning safely
and another
Pray - talk with God
and
Read your Bible
God talks back to you
We can reach people who will not come to our meetings to hear our message but when stuck in traffic will read our message on the way side, and we can go on to add other crucial texts , changing the signs every month. We can contribute to community safety by distributing copies of the ten commandments for public school children to learn, with principal and teacher's help
The vast majority of people who see such signs either ignore them or curse them as visual clutter. I have seen some clever signs which make sense to me as a Christian but probably go over the heads of the vast majority of people.
The very best sign is a committed Christian contributing to the local community. Volunteers who help clean the environment; join in providing assistance for the homeless; activities for youth; activity programs for the aged. Personal participation is much more effective than the anonymity of signage.
If a sign reaches one soul, isn't worth "offending" the careless with it? Cain was offended by righteous Abel, but Abel was not thinking of himself, but had compassion on his lost brother and did not shy away from offering help. Jesus was condemned by those who felt offended by Him, yet how many will gain eternal life through His "offensive" offer of grace from God?
Perhaps help the community in practical ways while sharing the thoughtful signs?
Don't forget also the "leaves of autumn"!
I don't think of these signs as offending, but an impersonal religious sign is nowhere near as effective as the personal witness of a loving Christian. Words without people are like leaves without a tree.
Many signs are illegible due to poor artwork or an attempt to do something clever. Often of little value to serve the purpose.
I agree about the general usefulness of signs, bumper stickers, etc. One nearby church has a sign that from the road is like a postage stamp back-lit by the morning sun while posted under a very shady area: impossible to see unless you are 10 feet or closer. Many in trying to find the church have driven by several times before finding it, having never noticed the sign. Also, the speed limit on that country road is 50 MPH.
These might work as bumper stickers, providing that drivers always remember that *they* are the message. 😉
The bumper stickers might even provide opportunity for conversation, because they advertise that the driver is a Christian.
I like that the messages are non-judgmental, and I prefer the bumper sticker version because they are more personal and could provide opportunity for direct contact.
The coming of Christ Jesus in to the world was indicated by His name Emmanuel which means "God with us" so the church in the community representing Jesus has to be with the community as same way that christ is with us.
What is difficult for many churches is how to break down prejudices that are present in the community against the church and it's biblical doctrines. May God help us to be brave enough to face those obstacles.
"What is difficult for many churches is how to break down prejudices that are present in the community against the church and it's biblical doctrines"
This is very true, however mingling with the community and working together with them is one way we can break down the prejudices.
We don't break down prejudices by telling other churches they are wrong. Living a Christ-like life while contributing to community life is the most effective approach to breaking down barriers. That is what Jesus did.
I agree with Linthicum as he describes the three types of churches. In these last days we are to become like the third church "with" the community. I believe the closer we come to Jesus's coming we are to become a church outside "the walls". We should be intentional during the week sharing the gospel, drawing others to Christ, feeding the hungry, bringing comfort to those who need it, and just meeting the needs of the community.
The Sabbath church service should be where we to testify and listen to testimonies of what we as the church has done during the week. Pray, hear the word of the Lord and then get our marching orders for the next week. In my opinion.
It is very important for us to mingle and serve the community we worship in. That said, however, at times it may be difficult to break down the prejudices in the community as Natalie said. My church is situated in a almost rough area where at times its impossible for us to even have social interactions on a Saturday night but our church has seemingly tries its best to work with the community. Just recently we had a Health Fair mostly targeting back to school persons, it was to be held for only a few hours. We went out in the community after Bible class and inform members of the community. We had a HUGE turnout the next day, the health fair didn't end till late evening. This is how we need to serve our communities, little things like these can go a long way in bringing others to know God.
Have a blessed day
Then why are 95% of Seventh-Day Adventist Churches in North America managed as Churches "in the city"??
I think that is the issue that this set of lessons is addressing. We are very insular and the idea of getting out into the community scares us spitless. The other problem is that our "them and us" attitude predisposes us towards conflict rather that cooperation. We need to understand that we can work together for the common good of our community without compromising our beliefs.
The ideas for help and community involvement are usually multifaceted. Results are also usually mixed. Safety factors are a necessary concern for many. The hope and prayers of all participants are solicited by everyone with Biblical forethought, balance and appropriate caution in mind. To get on the band wagon so to speak to save souls is not in my opinion a block party.
I can imagine that getting out into the community to do practical work, is more risky in some places than others. That is certainly worth much consideration. I think there is something in the lesson for these kinds of challenges too. For example, the story of the Good Samaritan. There was danger involved there too, The good Samaritan helped the man that was injured at the risk of his life . Also, in the New Testament the people risked persecution, but continued to help each other. So,with much prayer and mindful planning, and inspired determination, we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us.
This series of lessons is very striking!!! I have made up my mind to do something more as a result of the pointed statements that the author has made. The question is, "What are we individually and as a church going to DO?" We cannot let these obviously Spirit-led lessons go unheeded. After all, in Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus makes clear that we will be judged on the practical way in which we treated others (clothing, feeding, visiting the prisoners etc.) May God help us to mingle and make a REAL difference to those around us. LET US ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING❤️
Amen.
It is evident that our operation as a body of christ to the comminity, we must do demographics of people around us and go directly to these needs irrespective of their reaction towards the gospel. Our business will be to reach their needs in love and the rest the Holy spirit will accomplish. One assumption in outreach is that we are all capable/pure and the world or community is otherwise. This is not true but in our weakness and other challanges God calls us to shape us together in His outreaches. Therefore do not say i have nothing to do but in the process you will be refined in character with the community for a future great mission. Thanks
Shining as lights "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation" requires genuine faith and constant prayer. Jesus and Enoch are examples of serving while remaining untarnished by the sinfulness that surrounded them. They often were alone with God, growing in grace and knowledge, while pleading for strength and wisdom for the great task of being God's witnesses in a wicked world.
Daniel also spent much time in prayer and study of God's word, while dwelling among the the most powerful and influential of the land, untouched by their wickedness. His righteous behavior landed him in a lion's den for a night, and whether he slept well or prayed most of the night for his enemies, his peace was perfect.
Living "sober, righteous and Godly in this present world" takes great faith, much study and unceasing prayer, and the results will be that "many shall see, and fear and trust in the Lord".