9 But you are a chosen people,(S) a royal priesthood,(T) a holy nation,(U) God’s special possession,(V) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.(W) 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;(X) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
One of my favorite people in the whole world is Dave Scavuzzo. One of the reasons for this is because Dave has an uncanny way of speaking the truth in such a way that it sticks. This past conference Dave was giving a sort of farewell address as District Superintendent because he has taken the role as senior pastor at Strongsville UMC. While he was talking he made the excellent observation that, "The only two human institutions that do not change are cemeteries and churches doing their best impression of one!"
This comment received an appropriate laugh but I think Dave is on to something. Why is it that church's are so resistant to change? Why is it that many church's choose to go the way of the cemeteries rather than embrace the risk of change? Some say that is simply because change is difficult. Other's say that the whole world is changing and folks want one thing to stay the same, their church. These, and other reasons, may all have truth in them but I think there is a deeper more important issue at work here.
I believe something deeper is at work because companies change despite the difficulties, and people are increasingly finding stability in other places (friends, family etc). The deeper issue at work is a fundamental understanding, or misunderstanding, of the nature of the church. The deepest question is not why church's doing their best impression of a graveyard? The deepest question is are church's aware that the grave of Jesus is empty!
I mean really aware of it. Aware of the fact that Jesus is not dead but He is living, supposedly, through His church. After all Paul does not say that we are like the body of Christ or we can see our selves like the body of Christ. He said "you ARE the body of Christ," (1 Corinthians 12:27)! As the body of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords we are not meant to simply maintain a church 'club.' A club that is ran and directed by the preferences of its members. Instead, we are supposed to be a kingdom. A "chosen people royal priesthood, a holy nation" that is called to "declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Sometimes the decision making discussions in church's scare me. It frightens me when people talk about what they want to do with 'their church.' If it is a Christian church it does not belong to the members. It belongs to JESUS CHRIST THE RISEN ONE!!!!! We are not working toward a club where everyone's preferences are met but a kingdom where the one good King rules and reigns.
This King's parting words to the founders of the church was not to sit in a circle and sing 'Cum By A." Instead His parting orders were to
"go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”If we follow the orders of our One True King we will have the great privilege of experiencing His power, grace, and purpose in or lives. More importantly, however, we will be a part of spreading a Kingdom. Not a club with the limited goal of appeasing its members. Instead a Kingdom with the eternal purpose of shining light in the darkness, hope for the hopeless, love for the loveless, and Resurrection Life for those crushed by death!
So which would you like to join, a club or The Kingdom?
