- Jesus: The Series (Season 7)
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Every church has a story. This story comprises the years of history and tradition, the personalities of leadership, and the vision that has been cast for the congregation. As soon as you walk through the doors of a church on Sunday morning, you are already experiencing this story. You may be experiencing it even in the parking lot. You walk through the doors, make your way through the crowd, and settle into your pew. What story have you heard so far? From the parking lot to the pew, the foyer of people, the songs being sung, the sermons being preached, and the room’s overall atmosphere, it tells a story.
I recently heard of an older church in a downtown community with an elaborate sanctuary. This church had beautiful architecture that highlighted the abilities of the designers and builders of the past while also prominently displaying a mosaic of colored glass in every window. In one particular window, the Savior was depicted with the phrase below, “Jesus Loves You.” The congregation loved this beautiful art and the message it communicated. Worshipers would gather in the pews every Sunday morning, as the sun would shine through this stained glass upon them as if the very glory of God was falling on them. The message was simple; they were loved.
Perspective is everything. This gathered group of Christians was reminded every Sunday how loved they were. Yet it also seemed like the pews were never as full as they once were. As they gathered for worship every Sunday, they were reminded how loved they were each time they looked at this beautiful window, but for those walking past the church, the message wasn’t as clear.
Recently, Josh and I were looking at the stained glass windows in our sanctuary and trying to determine the scene in which they were trying to portray. They are gorgeous representations of our Savior, but have you looked at them from the outside? Without the sunlight beaming through, it is hard to make out any image or message that could be in these mosaics of colored glass. In the same way, those people who walked by this old church every Sunday never knew that the stained glass above them spoke the beautiful message “Jesus Loves You.” They couldn’t make it out, but more than that, no one inside ever told them either!
It is easy to develop an insider mentality, especially in this “us verse them” society we call home. We become inwardly focused, bask in God’s love for us and never share that with the world around us. Our individualized approach to our faith, where we say a prayer, practice discipline, and pursue our relationship with Christ, can hinder the mission of God. This is precisely what the Pharisees were guilty of in the time of Jesus. They were pursuing their own religious goals and were proud of their self-righteousness. When they confronted Jesus, they were offended and disappointed.
Jesus came to set people free. He came to call the dead to life. He came with a kingdom message that turned the entire world upside down and broke down every wall of social division. In short, the Gospel does not lead people to pursue individualism or stir an “us verse them” mentality within our hearts. No, that is our sinful hearts that do that. The Gospel calls us to be transformed into the image of a Savior who came for the entire world, preached a message of love for neighbor and enemy, went to the people no one would go to, and spoke an otherworldly way of life.
Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The world calls to conform to the image of popular opinion and follow the latest cultural trend. Jesus calls us to be transformed into the image of a Savior who gave His life to redeem the world. Our response is a heart of worship. Worship demands a sacrifice, not one like the days of old, but a living sacrifice, as we daily give our lives for the Gospel’s sake and the world’s sake.
If we want to truly see the Kingdom of God come and transform our families, communities, and world, we must recognize the love that Jesus has for us but also remember that He loves outside our church walls. We must present ourselves as a living sacrifice in the mission of God and take this Gospel message to the streets. Clarksburg Baptist Church will be a church who tells that story. A story of transforming grace and compassion. Will you join us in this mission?