THE ULTIMATE VIDEO GAME

  Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

                Video games are very popular. I have tried my had at several video games over the years, although I fall far short of being a gamer. The best video games are the ones that take strategy and require the player to make choices, which affect the outcome of the game.

                Video games are designed to give the player multiple options. Each choice opens up a different pathway that the gamer can follow. Some pathways lead to victory and others lead to defeat. The gamer doesn’t know which is which until he or she has traveled down the path. When a gamer enters a game, they are free to make their own choices, even though the programmer has determined ahead of time the outcome of those choices.

                One of the great debates in Christian theology is the debate between free will and predestination. This debate is often cast in very black and white terms, with no middle ground. As I read the Bible, I am convinced that there is a middle path that acknowledges both sides of the equation without negating either one.

                There are many classic verses that are used to support the concept of predestination. Romans 8:29-30 is one example. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. This passage seems to clearly teach that God predestines our lives.

                There are also passages that suggest that God has given to us free will, and has allowed us to choose our own pathway. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 is an example of this side of the equation. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In this passage, God, through Moses, is clearly giving the people of Israel a real choice.

                So which is it; free will or predestination? I would like to suggest that video games may give us a clue to discovering a middle way. As beings, created in the image of God, we have been given the gift of consciousness. We are self-conscious, in the sense that we are aware of ourselves as distinct, unique beings. Our self-consciousness allows us to evaluate our surroundings and choose the course of action we want to take. This is an act of free will, which reflects the free will of our Heavenly Father. Without free will, there are really no choices, no real options, only preprogrammed responses to certain stimuli.

                Given that we have the gift of free will, we do not have control over the outcome of our choices. Here is where the illustration of a video game comes into play. I believe that God has designed the world like a video programmer. He has designed the world with real choices that affect the pathway that a person will travel. At the same time, he has predetermined the outcome of those choices. Rather than leading us toward victory or defeat, each choice is leading us closer or father away from God. Every choice we make will send us in one of those two directions. If I take choice A, it will lead me to sin, pain, and hurt. If I take choice B, it will lead me to joy, grace, and fulfillment.

                To clarify my point, I believe that God has determined in advance the outcomes of the choices we make, but has given us the freedom to make our own choice. If we go back to Deuteronomy 30, we see Moses clearly laying out the outcome of the choices before the people of Israel. Then he calls them to choose their path. In the same way, I believe that God continually sets before us choices with predetermined outcomes and then invites us to choose.

                C.S. Lewis touched on this idea when he said that each choice we make is shaping us into the being we will be in eternity. We are either becoming more and more like Christ or less and less like Christ. The good news is that with every choice we make God’s grace is available. No matter how far down the wrong path we have taken, there is always an off ramp that can redirect our lives back toward God. God is at work within us, guiding and directing us through the Holy Spirit, but we still have the option to make our own choice, for which we will be responsible.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

A DEEPER LOOK AT CONFORMITY

Do not conform any longer 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.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)

                We all feel the pressure to conform in one way or another. We may feel the pressure to conform to the culture around us or the sub-culture that we identify with. Usually, conformity takes the form of outward appearance. We put our emphasis on the obvious; the way a person dresses, the political stance a person takes, the way a person responds to the moral issues of the day.

                As believers in Christ, we have most often placed our emphasis of not conforming to the current moral culture of our day. We tell ourselves that we are not conforming to the world because we have an orthodox view of marriage, sexuality, drugs, alcohol and the like. We pride ourselves in not giving into the pressure all around us to compromise our moral stand. On the surface, this is commendable, but it misses the point of what Paul wrote in Romans 12.

                Satan has masterfully used the hot button issues of our day to mask the ways that he subtly pulls us into his plan. The way that we respond to these issues reveals that we may be more conformed to the value system of the world than we realize.

                In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made it very clear that God is more concerned about what is going on in our hearts than our actions, even though our actions are important.  This point was brought home clearly by God in 1 Samuel 16. God was directing Samuel to choose the next king of Israel to replace King Saul. Samuel was impressed by David’s older brothers, but God saw things differently. But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

                God is much more concerned that our hearts are in the right place than that we take the “correct” stance on any current issue. How we respond to the issues of our day speaks volumes about where our heart really is. There are several ways that Satan has subtly manipulated us to conform to the pattern of this world. These have become fairly obvious during our recent period of social upheaval. Looks look at a couple of them.

                Satan has manipulated us into an attitude of rebellion instead of an attitude of submission. From the debates over wearing masks and taking vaccines to the insurrection over the outcome of the presidential election, we have seen many believers blatantly rebelling against submission to those in authority. Yet the Bible clearly tells us that we are to have an attitude of submission not rebellion. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:1-2 (NIV) Keep in mind that when Paul wrote these words Nero was on the throne. No matter what we think about those who are currently in political leadership, we have a responsibility to submit to their authority.

                Satan has manipulated us into an attitude of hate and anger at those who are on the other side of the issues from us. That applies to both sides of the equation. Instead of treating others with respect, we vilify and condemn them. We feel justified in our “righteous anger” but our hearts are far from where God wants us to be. As it says in James 1:19-20, My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Jesus told us that if we are to be a follower of His, we need to change our attitude toward those who oppose us. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV)

                Satan has manipulated us into an attitude of combativeness. If there is anything that characterizes our world today it is that we are divided. We have bought into the “us vs them” attitude that so pervades our world. We create our little enclaves to protect ourselves and then we throw stones at all those who don’t fit into our group. Again, it doesn’t matter which side of the current debates you are on, we all share the same attitude. If you are not a part of my group, then you are my enemy and I must resist you. This is counter to what Jesus taught us. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus made it clear that even those who are different from us are our neighbor. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peace makers. We are to build bridges to those who are different from us, not walls to keep them out. As Paul says in Romans 12:18, If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

                The issues of our day are important, but how we respond to those issues is even more important. God wants us to be filled with grace and compassion, recognizing that every person has value in His eyes. He calls us to resist conforming to the patterns of this world by having our very mind transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

  

IT’S OKAY TO BE AVERAGE

 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)

                I am a pretty average guy. This was confirmed recently as I participated in a 5K run. Out of 38 runners I came in 17^th. Out of 20 male runners I came in 10^th. Out of the three men 60+ I came in 2^nd. I don’t think you can get much more average than that.

                In high school, I was slightly above average. In college I was definitely average. And throughout my ministry career, I would have to say that I have been an average pastor. In some areas, a little above average and in others a little below average.

                I used to attend a national leadership conference that made me think that being average was not okay. The impression given by the many speakers was that if you were not at the top of the curve then you were not doing your job. I stopped going to the conference. I got tired of being told that I didn’t measure up.

                But the truth is that most of us are average, and that is normal and okay. If we look at a standard bell curve, 68.26 % of us fall within the average category. 13.59% fall just above average and 13.59 % fall just below average. And only 2.14% fall into the exceptional category, while 2.14 % are failures. I don’t think that it is wrong for us to strive to be above average, but most of us will remain in the average category. It is just the way things are.

                If we look at the main characters in the New Testament, we see that this holds true even for committed followers of Jesus. There were 12 disciples who walked closely with Jesus. If we add Paul, Barnabas, and Apollos to the mix we get 15 people. We can place Paul, Peter, and possibly John in the exceptional category. Barnabas and Matthew would fall above average. Judas would fall in the utter failure category. The rest would fall in the average category. If fact, as far was we know, most of the other people we encounter as followers of Jesus in the New Testament would fall in the average category. We look up to Peter and Paul as models of genuine faith, but they are not the norm. They are the positive outliers on the bell curve.

                This should be good news for the rest of us. God has called us to be faithful right where He has placed us. Some of us will make major contributions to the cause of Christ. Most of us will represent Christ in more quiet and unspectacular ways. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive to be our best; we should. But for most of us, our best will be average.

                It is interesting that when Peter wrote to the churches, he didn’t instruct them to all be leaders or to all excel in ministry. Instead, he instructed them to live quiet and peaceable lives, and in so doing positively influence those around them.

                Because of my personality, I can feel guilty very easily. When I was in school, if other kids acted up in class, I felt guilty. In my ministry, if people failed, I felt guilty. Guilt is very real, but some guilt is genuine and some is false. I had to learn to distinguish between the two. Understanding that it is okay to be average has lifted a huge burden of guilt off of my shoulders. It has allowed me to celebrate what God has done in and through me, without having to compare my ministry to the Mega-church pastors of the world.

                It reminds me of a quote I have seen on several occasions. This is a paraphrase because I don’t remember the real name of the Rabbi. We will call him Rabbi Jacob. Rabbi Jacob said, “When I get to heaven, God is not going to ask me why I wasn’t Moses. He is going to ask me, why I wasn’t Rabbi Jacob.” When I get to heaven, God is not going to ask me why I was not like Bill Hybels, or Rick Warren, or Andy Stanley. He is going to ask me if I was the best Dave Banfield I could have been.

One of my favorite passages in scripture is found in Hebrews 12. After the writer of Hebrews has gone through the “Hall of Faith” in chapter 11, he turns his attention to us. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) I like to focus on that last phrase, “the race marked out for us.” God doesn’t expect us to run someone else’s race. He expects us to run the race He has marked out for us. And if we are faithful to that, most of us will live average lives as followers of Christ. Average is not bad; it is the norm.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

 

DO YOU HAVE A HAND-ME-DOWN FAITH?

 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

                If you grew up in a family with more than one child, then you probably understand what it is to live with hand-me-downs. As the older child grows out of something, the younger child grows into it, and so on. It is a pretty common practice in families, and it really makes sense. But when it comes to our faith, hand-me-downs don’t work.

                I made a commitment to follow Jesus when I was 5 years old. I did it because I trusted my parents and my Sunday School teacher. They said it was true, so I believed them and said yes to Jesus. That decision didn’t really impact my life until I was 13. I attended summer camp for the first time. One night at the campfire, the speaker asked if we were sure about our faith. Something stirred in me and I stayed after to talk with the counselor. That night I prayed for an assurance of my faith, but that was not all. I began to realize that if I was a follower of Jesus, it should make a difference in the way I lived my life. I struggled to live up to my hand-me-down faith all the way through high school. It wasn’t until I went to college that my faith really became mine. I began to own my faith in more profound ways.

                Almost all of us begin our spiritual journey with a hand-me-down faith. Someone shared the Gospel with us, and because we trusted them, we put our faith in Jesus. As a Chinese friend of mine once put it, “I had to trust you before I could trust your Jesus.” The foundation of our spiritual journey was based on the faith of others. Paul even points to that in his counsel to Timothy. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV)

                But just as we eventually grow out of the hand-me-downs of our childhood, so we must grow beyond a hand-me-down faith. We can continue to live with a hand-me-down faith, but our spiritual life will remain immature and shallow. When the storms of life come to test our faith, we can be shaken. As I did in college, we need to own our faith. That means that we need to examine our faith, ask hard questions, and learn for ourselves the depth and breadth of our faith.

                As with any endeavor in life, growing strong in our faith takes effort and discipline. It begins with intentionally studying the Bible.  We need to discipline ourselves to do more than just read a little in our Bible every day. When I was in college, it was common for us to do a quick read through Our Daily Bread and call it good for the day. Instead of a quick glimpse in the Bible, we need to actually engage with the Bible, seek what God wants to teach us through the Bible, and look below the surface to understand the truths of the Bible. When Jesus taught the crowds, He used parables. He explained to his disciples that He did this to test people’s hearts. Those who were not really interested would just take the parable at face value. But those with the heart to really encounter God would discern the meaning behind the parable. The stories in the Bible are not there for our entertainment. They are there to teach us about God, about sin, about ourselves, and ultimately about Christ and His salvation.

                In addition to studying the Bible, we need to listen to one another. The Christian life was never intended to be a solo journey. We are to live in community with one another. There are practical applications for this as we support and encourage one another. But God has also gifted some in the body to be spiritual guides, teachers who can help us understand and apply God’s word and wisdom to our lives. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

                The goal of the Christian life is not to just hang on until Jesus comes. The goal of the Christian life is to grow deep into the love and grace of God and to share that with the world around us. We cannot effectively do that with a hand-me-down faith. We need a faith that is truly our own, that is woven into the very fabric of our lives.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

CAN YOU DEFEND YOUR FAITH?

 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

                I just finished reading “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” by Nabeel Qureshi. I was struck by Nabeel’s determination to defend his faith in Islam. He was well schooled in the classic arguments for Islam and against Christianity. Often, as he engaged Christians regarding their faith, they were unprepared to defend what they believed. Many of them were basing their faith on second hand knowledge. God brought a young man by the name of David into Nabeel’s life who was able to effectively engage Nabeel. After a number of years of back and forth, Nabeel surrendered his life to Christ.

                As I read this young man’s story, I couldn’t help but ask myself, how prepared am I to defend my faith in Christ? Peter wrote that we should always be prepared to give people an answer for the hope we have in Christ. If you were confronted by a Nabeel, could you effectively engage him in spiritual dialog?

                If we are going to effectively defend our faith, we need to be diligent students of the Bible. The Bible is foundational to everything we believe. It is not enough for us to know the basic facts from the Bible. We need to understand how the Bible is put together. We need a clear understanding of the truths of the Bible, that means we need to do the hard work of studying theology and doctrine. We also need to be able to defend the authenticity and authority of the Bible. As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

                Not only do we need to be students of the Bible, we also need to be students of other faiths and other cultures. Many Christians are afraid to study other religions for fear that it might weaken their faith. If we are going to effectively proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we need to understand how other people view the world and spiritual matters. Without an understanding of other faiths, we do not have a basis for a meaningful dialog.

                We also need to have sound instruction from others. One of the assets of our faith is the body of Christ, the church. As we come together for worship and instruction, we can encourage and strengthen one another. As it says in Proverbs 27:17, As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. We are always stronger together. When we get discouraged, others can lift us up. When we don’t have the right answers, others can help us to find them. When we feel alone, other can assure us that we are not. As our society becomes more and more secular, our need for one another increases.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

                But we also need the courage to engage others in spiritual conversations. When I was doing my research for my Doctorate, I discovered that many international students were surprised that Americans are reluctant to talk about their faith. First, many international students are under the misconception that all Americans are Christians. In other countries, religious faith is so integrated into the social and political fabric of the country that there is not separation. Internationals students are surprised when this is not so here in America. Second, international students think that it is only natural that a person should talk about their religious faith, because it is a part of their culture. If we were to visit them in their country, they would automatically share their faith with us. So when Americans are reluctant to speak about their faith, it is confusing to them.

                The first step toward being equipped to defend our faith is to go back to the source in prayer. We need to ask God to give us insight, discernment, and wisdom. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, He will equip us to be what He called us to be, witnesses of His glory.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

                I have been reading “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” by Nabeel Qureshi. In the first section of the book, he shares his upbringing as a Muslim. He talks about how their faith was such an integral part of their everyday lives. When he was in seventh grade, his mother sat him down and impressed upon him the importance of projecting a positive image of what it means to be Muslim. “They will always see you first and foremost as a Muslim. That is your identity, and you must embrace it.” From that point on Nabeel saw himself as an ambassador for Islam.

                The way his faith was integrated into his life and the way that he saw his responsibility to reflect the most positive image that he could really challenged me. Do we, as Christians, have the same level of commitment to Christ? Do we see ourselves as everyday ambassadors for our faith? When people look at out lives, is the image their perceive positive or negative? Unfortunately, today many people see all Christians in a very negative light. This is not necessarily because they are rejecting Jesus, but because we have not been positive examples of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

                What does it mean for us to be positive ambassadors for Christ in our world? It begins with how we treat one another. Jesus made it clear that the evidence of our faith is the degree to which we love one another. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 (NIV) Too often, when people look at the church, they do not see love demonstrated, but conflict. Jesus has called us to love each other as He has loved us, unconditionally. If we are going to change the image of the church in the world, it must begin within. We need to humble ourselves, repent of our bickering and backbiting, and ask God to empower us to truly love one another.

                As we learn to truly love one another, we can begin to extend that love to those outside of the church. As we interact with the world around us, we need to treat people with respect and grace. Although we may disagree with their life choices, we can still extend the love of Christ to them. Afterall, Jesus was known as a friend of sinners. Can we say that about his followers?

                Paul tells us that we need to learn a better way of interacting with the people around us. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV) If we are going to change our world for Christ, we need to change the way we approach those who do not yet believe in Him. Although Paul is writing specifically to the believers in Ephesus, his instructions can apply to the way we interact with unbelievers as well.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 4:31-32, 5:1-2 (NIV)

We can expect people who are not followers of Jesus to misunderstand us and even to oppose us. They way make fun of our faith. They may actively oppose the expression of our faith. But in all of this, we need to refrain from pushing back. Instead, we need to disarm their opposition with genuine kindness.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)

As followers of Christ, we do not wear any special clothes that identify us as believers. The only way another person will know about our faith is through our actions and our words. And we all know that our actions speak louder than our words. When Jesus left his disciples for the last time on earth, he told them that they would be his witnesses throughout the world. The question for each of us is, what kind of a witness am I being for Christ?

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

 

WELCOME TO THE FIRST CENTURY

 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:42 (NIV)

                From time to time throughout my ministry, I have heard people expound on the idea of being the first century church all over again. I understand what they mean, but I wonder if they have really thought through the implications of that wish.

                Acts 2 gives us a snapshot of the first church. In many ways, it seemed idyllic. But upon closer examination we see that everything was not a bed of roses. In fact, the early church faced many of the same internal struggles that we face today. Ananias and Sapphira vied for prestige without sacrifice. There was division between the Grecian Jews and the Hebraic Jews over who was being taken care of. Later in Paul’s letters we see infighting, arrogance, self-righteousness, and unforgiveness in the church.

                If we step back a little farther, we can see the landscape in which the early church lived. They lived in a world that was decadent. The elite minority ruled, while the majority lived subsistence lives. There was a small middle class and a large number of slaves and servants. The church was a religious minority, persecuted by both the Jews and the Romans. They often became social outcasts. They had no political, social, or economic power. Many in the early church were martyred for their faith.

                In many ways, we have returned to the first century. The world in which we live has become increasingly decadent. More and more the elite minority makes the rules and everyone else is expected to fall in line. The church is increasingly marginalized and often vilified. Within the church, we see disunity, strife, and arguing. In some cases, we have become arrogant and self-righteous, reflecting more the persona of the Pharisees than followers of Jesus.

                What made the flawed first century church stand out from the crowd and eventually flourish? I think there were four basic things that propelled the church forward.

                First, they staked their lives on the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The early believers embraced the foundational truth of the Gospel; that Jesus was the Son of God. They placed their hope in the reality of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

                Second, they were totally dependent on the power of God. Worship was at the heart of their life. Acts 2 tells us that they met daily in the Temple courts praising God. They were devoted to prayer and to the teaching of the Apostles. Their worship shaped the rest of their lives. They knew that they were powerless without the power of the Holy Spirit within them.

                Third, they were dependent on one another.  Acts tells us that they were devoted to the fellowship. They shared meals together. They met in their homes to encourage and support one another. As the church expanded, hospitality became an essential aspect of the life of the church. The only people they could count on were other believers. They were willing to sacrifice for one another.

                Fourth, they led by example. The early church had no political power. They were viewed as a fringe group at best. Yet, they changed the world by the way that they lived out their faith. In a world that abandoned unwanted children, the church rescued them and raised them as their own. In a world that devalued women, the church gave women a place to grow and thrive. In a world that saw slaves as expendable, the church gave value to every person. In a world of elitist classism, the church broke down the barriers of class, race, and social standing. They did their best to love each other with the love of Christ, and people outside of the church took notice.

                In the environment in which we live today, we the church need to get back to being the church. First, we need to repent of our arrogance and self-righteousness. We need to repent of our love affair with political and economic power. We need to repent of our internal bickering and back-biting. It is time to humble ourselves before God and ask for His forgiveness and mercy.

                Second, we need to get our focus back on Jesus. For too long we have given lip service to Jesus, while depending on our own strength and ingenuity. As it says in Hebrews 12:1-3, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

                Third, we need to recommit to being the body of Christ in our world. Jesus said, by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. That is the place to start. Instead of trying to change the secular world around us, we need to change the church. We need to get back to being devoted to one another, to sharing with one another, to supporting one another. If we really want to change our world, we need to start to live out our faith in tangible ways. We need to build a community that attracts sinners by demonstrating a better way to live.

                In some ways, I think God has answered the prayers of those who have wanted to go back to the first century church. Unfortunately, it isn’t the ideal place that they thought it would be. Just like the first church, we are flawed. We are jars of clay that God wants to use to display His glory. It is time for us to actively be the salt and light that Jesus commanded us to be.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)