Early this week, a lay leader in our congregation made a presentation to our leadership group concerning the vision and mission of our church. He said, "before a church can have a vision for the future, it must have a burden." Those words have stayed with me throughout this week. I have been wondering about our local church and the church in the United States, "are we really burdened about anything?"
Are we burdened by the fact that the message of salvation and new life in Jesus Christ goes unheard by so many? Are we burdened by the fact that as our economy weakens there is a growing need to help the poor and the elderly in our community? Are we burdened by the injustices that exist right under our noses? Are we burdened by the cries of those who are hurting and suffering? Or are we comfortable being comfortable?
In a Bible Study group I meet with on Wednesday evenings we have been studying the Book of Acts which teaches about the early followers of Christ. Two of those followers were named Peter and John. These men definitely had a burden. They shared their belongings with other Christians, with widows, and with the poor. They preached the Good News of Jesus Christ everywhere they went. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they healed people and delivered them from suffering. All of this they accomplished even after being beaten and jailed for their faith. Only in the Spirit's power and with a burden for others did they fulfill their ministry.
I ask you today, do the spiritual and physical needs of other human beings burden you? Until we pray to love those who are hurting, until we open our eyes to recognize the needs around us, and until we tear down the walls that isolate us from other human beings, we will remain comfortable and allow the ministries of Christ to go unfulfilled.
1 comment:
Good message! I hope this train of thought lights a fire in our church.
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