August 12, 1997
Southern Baptists, the largest non-Catholic denomination in the United States, have challenged the moral direction of The Disney Company, one of America’s corporate giants, by urging Baptists across the country “to refrain from patronizing” any of Disney’s enterprises. This protest includes any other company that promotes “immoral ideologies and practices.”
While most of their leaders feel this will not change Disney policies, the SB’s feel they will be making a statement about deteriorating family values and at the same time demonstrate that “Christians love Jesus more than our entertainment.”
This denomination does not want to alienate people from the church and from God but at the same time, they want to protest the promotion of a particular sinful lifestyle. To do this, they must have God’s hated of sin and His love for sinners. Even if they have it, they will be criticized and misunderstood. It appears the Southern Baptists have taken on a difficult and complex task.
Consider Jesus. He was called the “friend of sinners” because He ate and drank with tax collectors and prostitutes who gladly followed Him and listened to His every word. However, most of the Jewish religious leaders considered themselves above this rabble. They looked down on Jesus and even accused Him of belonging to Satan because He associated with these people.
Today, Christians wrestle with how to hate all sin yet at the same time be friends with people who struggle with it and need to know God. We don’t want to be misunderstood or accused of hating people. We need to remember that we too were once immoral and caught up in sin. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 names specific sins).
Even though the Bible says we now are “washed, sanctified and justified,” full victory over those old enslaving habits may mean avoiding certain places, even certain people. For instance, Christians converted from alcohol know it is easier to obey God if they stay away from situations where people are drinking.
Christians who have never had a problem with alcohol know the destructive power of a drunken lifestyle and feel sorrow over those caught in this or any other trap. So while we need to avoid that and all other sin, we also need to pray for those caught in sin, care deeply for them and hopefully share with them the liberating good news of the Gospel.
The downside is that excessive drinkers seem to feel rejected when we refuse to drink with them and may even think that we hate them. They misunderstand our stand against alcohol and criticize us as “wet blankets” or worse. At that, I sometimes lose my perspective and forget how God sees those people. Beneath the surface of their addictions and other sins is a soul for whom Christ died, a person of worth and importance. Sometimes I see only a drunk or a dealer or a liar or a thief.
What about those who do not actually commit certain sins but see nothing wrong with them? Scripture says, in some cases they are blind and need their eyes opened. If the leaders of Disney Company are openly supporting sexual behavior that God condemns, the stand taken by the Southern Baptists may open their eyes.
Before anyone is quick to criticize this denomination, remember that Jesus also stands against all sin. He said, “If your brother sins, rebuke Him” and “anyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Sin is so serious that He took drastic action to save us from it.
Therefore, whenever Christians take His powerful stand against sinful behavior and stand in disapproval of anyone who supports it, we must also convey His radical love for those who are guilty. While it will be misunderstood and criticized, this may not be as difficult and complicated as it appears—it is the same way we try to treat our children.
Showing posts with label purpose of the church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purpose of the church. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Monday, February 15, 2016
The Purpose of the Church ............. Parables 393
October 26, 1990
An editorial, clipped from The Record a few years ago, tells about a local ministerial meeting. After reviewing ideas that the group tossed around concerning joint activities, the article ends with the editor’s suggestion: instead of discussing theology or projects, they ought to get out and do something for the betterment of the community.
Obviously the church is not what a lot of people think it should be. While average non-Christians can hold higher standards for it than do most Christians, different views are sometimes more a matter of priorities and personal felt-needs.
A few people focus on the importance of drafting theological statements because doctrine is related to life; what we believe affects how we act. For that reason, an important task of the church is to make God’s truth known so as to counter the errors of sinful attitudes. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Thus, some think the church should concentrate on its message.
Others consider the primary purpose of the church is to meet practical needs by serving those who are in need. They point to Scripture such as, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others....”
A third focus is the matter of education. Parents take or send their children to Sunday school to learn about God. North American schools began through the work of the church and some private schools try to continue their tradition. Jesus invites even adults to “come and learn of me....”
Some think the church is a place for encouragement, the “refueling depot” at the end of a busy week. They want a boost to their personal progress and sense of hope. Paul wrote a local church and said, “Encourage one another and build each other up....”
Another perspective on the purpose of the church is gathering money and other material necessities for the poor and needy. Paul commended the church at Corinth for excelling in faith, speech, knowledge, complete earnestness and love, then added they “also excel in this grace of giving.” Thus, because of the inequalities of life, the church is supposed to share.
One more focus people take is related to organization. For the church, this is an internal matter (church affairs need to be organized) but it is also important to the church’s reputation in the community. Regardless of the many other things that churches might do, if they are done in chaotic, disorganized fashion, they will not be honoring to God. The Bible says “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
Perhaps the most important perceived and valid function of the church is the expression of compassion. Whatever else Christians do, this is the one thing that is expected of us, both from outsiders and from within. Life hurts; most people need personal and emotional support at some time or other. We readily admit social service programs cannot heal our hurts but much of the time we fail to understand that proclamation, having our practical needs met, teaching, many forms of encouragement, money, and organization do not do it either.
Perhaps that is why some think the church is irrelevant; doing good things but not the right things, at least not the right things in the minds of those who have written it off. All of us need to take another look at the list. The capacity to do, and to benefit from, all these functions is there, in the church.
An editorial, clipped from The Record a few years ago, tells about a local ministerial meeting. After reviewing ideas that the group tossed around concerning joint activities, the article ends with the editor’s suggestion: instead of discussing theology or projects, they ought to get out and do something for the betterment of the community.
Obviously the church is not what a lot of people think it should be. While average non-Christians can hold higher standards for it than do most Christians, different views are sometimes more a matter of priorities and personal felt-needs.
A few people focus on the importance of drafting theological statements because doctrine is related to life; what we believe affects how we act. For that reason, an important task of the church is to make God’s truth known so as to counter the errors of sinful attitudes. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Thus, some think the church should concentrate on its message.
Others consider the primary purpose of the church is to meet practical needs by serving those who are in need. They point to Scripture such as, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others....”
A third focus is the matter of education. Parents take or send their children to Sunday school to learn about God. North American schools began through the work of the church and some private schools try to continue their tradition. Jesus invites even adults to “come and learn of me....”
Some think the church is a place for encouragement, the “refueling depot” at the end of a busy week. They want a boost to their personal progress and sense of hope. Paul wrote a local church and said, “Encourage one another and build each other up....”
Another perspective on the purpose of the church is gathering money and other material necessities for the poor and needy. Paul commended the church at Corinth for excelling in faith, speech, knowledge, complete earnestness and love, then added they “also excel in this grace of giving.” Thus, because of the inequalities of life, the church is supposed to share.
One more focus people take is related to organization. For the church, this is an internal matter (church affairs need to be organized) but it is also important to the church’s reputation in the community. Regardless of the many other things that churches might do, if they are done in chaotic, disorganized fashion, they will not be honoring to God. The Bible says “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
Perhaps the most important perceived and valid function of the church is the expression of compassion. Whatever else Christians do, this is the one thing that is expected of us, both from outsiders and from within. Life hurts; most people need personal and emotional support at some time or other. We readily admit social service programs cannot heal our hurts but much of the time we fail to understand that proclamation, having our practical needs met, teaching, many forms of encouragement, money, and organization do not do it either.
Perhaps that is why some think the church is irrelevant; doing good things but not the right things, at least not the right things in the minds of those who have written it off. All of us need to take another look at the list. The capacity to do, and to benefit from, all these functions is there, in the church.
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