B.S. Baffling Situation - The Church
Honestly, I have trouble with church, I don’t think I’ll ever like any church.
I love Jesus, I just cannot walk into any churches around here, you know?
My relationship with God is good, I just can’t get comfortable with church?
These statements BREAK MY HEART. I love the church. I see the value & purpose of the church.
What happened to churches?
Did you know that early church, the followers of Jesus in the 1st, 2nd & 3rd century church were CONTAGIOUS? In the first 300 years, they didn’t even have a Bible. In fact, they were persecuted. It was illegal to say you a part of the “new way” or “christianity”? And yet, the church without a Bible, without an organization or a leader, grew at its greatest and fastest pace in history? HOW?
Documents found during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd century were written by outsiders, people not involved in the church. These outsiders were critical of the church's beliefs, but envious of how they treated others. Outsiders couldn’t imagine the Messiah had come. Outsiders couldn’t accept a man raised was from the dead.
BUT, outsiders could see these people LOVED OTHERS so well. They took care of orphans. They treated strangers like family. They gave their money to people in need -- people they didn’t even know. (Andy Stanley Irresistible)
The church in the first three centuries was criticized for their beliefs but envied for their love.
Does that sound like the church today? I’d say the church is viewed exactly the opposite, wouldn’t you?
I'd say that in our society churches today are viewed by outsiders as having
acceptable beliefs but lacking love?
How did we get here? Jesus was very clear about how it should be. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John13:34)
How did church get so messed up? How did it change so much from the first centuries?
How do we get it right?
How do we become a people/ a church/ a movement known for love?
We all want to be viewed as loving, but we have to BE loving. We have to GIVE UP OUR RIGHTS. We have to surrender to LOVE.We have to be ready to accept: The church isn’t about us. If you are a democrat it is about loving the republican to the right of you. If you are a republican it is about loving the democrat to the left of you. This isn’t the watered down version of the gospel. This isn’t accept it all and never change. Oh on the contrary, this new way of Jesus is a simple but demanding change.
Jesus said, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12)
Look, if you have known Nate and I long enough. We have let you down. We have hurt your feelings, offended you and acted inappropriately. WE SUCK!
Why is the church so messed up?
Hint: We are human. HINT: All churches are made up of humans.
Here is the practical application. Cutting through the B.S. How do we get back to Jesus?
When we hurt someone or when we are hurt by someone, if we want to be the church Jesus intended we are now called to stop asking:
Who is Right?
What is Right?
What is My Right?
What do I deserve?
What do they deserve?
We surrender our rights to love. We have conversations, we offer apologies, we offer forgiveness and we only get to ask one question:
WHAT DOES LOVE REQUIRE OF ME?
So as Jesus followers Nate and I have to love you -- IN SPITE-- of your failings. And guess what, if you accept Jesus you are stuck with us and our failings.
This simple change takes the church from MESSED UP to CONTAGIOUS LOVE. But wowza it's hard.