We have completed our journey with Joseph and now begin a short new series called, "We Are The Church." The Church is not a building. It is His people. Neither the calling and role of the Church, nor God, has changed over time. We are still His Church. God is still faithful. Jesus said, "On this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." (Matthew 16:18).
Pastor Adam shared a story from World War II about two paratroopers who were dropped in the wrong place in France. After a time, they ended up finding a small church in the town of Angerville. One of the paratroopers was a medic so together they set up a medical center for the wounded and began providing aid for the wounded. Adam shared several stories of miracles that occurred in this church in only the first 36 hours. A bomb hit but did not detonate. Another time an armed, German soldier burst in. When he saw what they were about, he made the sign of the cross and chose not to bother the medics or their patients.
After the war the small town of Angerville began rebuilding, including the small church. They chose to keep the pews where all the wounded had previously lay waiting for treatment. It is estimated around 80 bleeding and dying were laid on those pews awaiting help. They preserved the blood stained pews to represent the hope and healing that can be found in the Church because of the blood of Jesus Christ. What a beautiful and poignant picture of how Christ intends the Church to be!
INVITATION: What is your attitude toward the Church? Do you feel welcome to come "as you are" to your church? Jesus meant for it to be for the broken, hurting and bleeding people. Throughout scripture, Jesus portrays a picture of a people who are empowered by his purpose to reach the wounded and tired, bringing them to the blood stained pews - where hope, grace and truth should thrive. The problem, however, is that is not most people's experience when they think of the Church. Many people believe that church is a place that is judgmental, shameful or irrelevant. What about your attitude toward welcoming the people who show up bleeding and hurting? Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?
MONDAY: Mark 2:13-14: Levi and Matthew are the same person. Matthew is the Greek name and Levi is the Hebrew name. Tax collectors were despised and avoided in the culture. Yet Jesus called Levi to follow him and become his disciple. Who would be the equivalent of a tax collector in your life or culture? Are you willing to take your attitudes toward those people into the presence of God in prayer and ask for a change of heart?
TUESDAY: Mark 2:15: Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as a guest, along with "many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners." What do you think the significance is that Jesus went to Levi's home? Imagine yourself as one of the followers of Jesus and finding out he went to the home of these types of people for dinner. What would you be thinking and feeling about Jesus?
WEDNESDAY: Mark 2:16: The Pharisees lived life to separate themselves from others. To distinguish "them" from "us." Is there a group or type of person that you consider as "them?" Maybe addicts. Maybe homeless. Maybe politicians. Maybe Republicans. Maybe Democrats. As you give the Holy Spirit time and space, will you allow for conviction to come as the Lord leads? How might you pray about this?
THURSDAY: Mark 2:17: Jesus did not come to separate people. He came for the broken. Jesus subtly rebuked the righteous Pharisees who saw themselves as having it "all together." Are you willing to look in the mirror and allow the Holy Spirit to "search you and know your heart" (Psalm 139) or are you hiding from Jesus, still trying to act like you have it all together? Where or how do you think shame and hiding came into your life in general and your attitude toward the Church specifically? Are you willing to ask for healing? Jesus came for the broken - NOT the "healthy." I am broken. You are broken. Take some time and examine in the love of Christ where you might be relationally broken, emotionally broken or physically broken. In Psychology, it is often said "hurt people hurt people." Are you ready for the healing presence of Christ in your life?
FRIDAY: Matthew 18:12-14: The Kingdom of God is sometimes referred to as the "upside down kingdom." Grace doesn't add up. It doesn't make sense. We are all broken and grace is available for any and all. Why would Jesus leave the ninety nine sheep and go after just one? Perhaps one of the reasons Christ is denied so often is because this just doesn't seem to make sense and often doesn't seem fair. Pastor and author Tim Keller said, "You are more sinful than you could ever dare imagine and you are more loved and accepted than you could ever dare hope-at the same time." Grace does not make demands, but gives. Where else do we ever experience such a thing? It is other-worldly, isn't it? Could that be because it's supernatural? Could that be because of Jesus Christ and His love for you and for me? How do you think your life and attitude and relationships might be changed if you realized how loved and accepted you are because of Christ?
SATURDAY: Psalm 51: So often we think we are unique in our brokenness. We believe no one else has been through or struggles with what we struggle with. This is often when we end up hiding and living in shame. Perhaps we even blame the Church. Just like an abuser tends to separate out their victim so that they feel alone and helpless, this is exactly how Satan would like you to think and behave: like you are alone in your brokenness. Jesus' message to the Pharisees was to stop pretending. It is His message to us as well. Like the wounded on D-Day, you and I are bleeding and sick. Will you stop pretending and believe the Church is not for perfect people and grace is for all? Will you die to self and all your attempts to be right, regarded or respected by others and lay down your life to find life?