Act 6 - A Blog in 28 Acts

May We Have Such Courage.  Read all of Acts Six.

Have you ever had your Christian faith and identity challenged?  Has your life ever been threatened because of your belief in Jesus Christ? 

As we read Acts 6, we read of how the early church leaders became a threat to the Jewish leaders of the time.  More specifically, they became a threat to the "status quo".  Stephen and the other Christian leaders were a part of a spiritual movement that was out to change lives and eternities.  The pushback they were getting was not from the nonreligous folks of the time, it was from the institutional religious folks of the time--the people who wanted to keep everything the way they were---don't rock the boat. And they would do anything to keep things the way they were, including lie, cheat, and deceive. (all in the name of religion, by the way). 

We still confront this today.  In an effort to reach more people for Christ it sometimes amazes me the pushback that is felt that comes from "the institutional church" those who invest more of their time keeping things the way they once were instead of reaching out to those who do not know Christ.  It comes in the form of fear and control: "we've never done it that way before." "I want it the way it has always been" (even when that way is not reaching more people for Christ.)" "We need to care about ourselves first, then care about those others."

What I have experienced in over 20 years of ministry in the church is this; when the church is true to its origins of being a spiritual movement reaching out and serving more, it is most alive and true to its identity as a church.  When the church gets stuck in serving itself, and becomes consumer driven, rather than Spirit and Mission driven, it becomes nothing more than a club.

If you ever wonder why I sometimes press us as a congregation to continue to reach out, to serve more, to transform lives, to get out of the comfort zone, and to put our faith into action---this is why!  I don't want to be a part of a club. I want to be a part of a Spirit-led, mission-driven church that is in the business of salvation.  To be a part of a movement like this is uncomfortable.  There are times when people will push back.  There will be times when we will have to make a stand for our faith. There will be times when we will have to give up some of our own needs in order to reach out to those who don't know Jesus yet. I hope and pray that we may we have the courage like Stephen to withstand the slings and arrows when they come, receiving them with peace and assurance that we are standing on the solid ground of Jesus Christ.

Our heritage as a Christian Church is one of courage.  May we have such courage.

Pastor Greg

This 28 part blog will post each Tuesday through Friday from April 1 through May 16.  We'll post on one chapter of Acts each day.  Be sure to join us in reading this entire book.  We'll learn about Jesus, about his disciples, and about how we can become more fully devoted followers of Christ.

Comments

[Kim]

When things are comfortable and predictable, it's easy to lose focus...it's easy to look up at the end and realize you've wasted your life. I don't want to spend my one and only life taking care of myself and being comfortable (but, against my will, a part of me is always pulled in that direction). I will probably never have to face death to follow Christ like Stephen, but I can focus, persevere, and live my life following and serving him. Both take courage.