A People of the Story

A People of the Story

The Biblical story reveals a loving and relational God who has initiated the redemption of his beloved creation. Not that we first loved him, but he first loved us. Scripture utilizes several metaphors to describe God’s loving activity in time and history and to describe his beloved people. His move to initiate covenant with Abraham is a redemptive move with an eye towards forming a people. This family-turned-nation, according to the Biblical witness, is to be a people of God’s own choosing who live in the midst of the nations as a light to the nations. When Paul speaks of Christ’s church with this language, he likely has this image in mind.

In relational terms, the church is spoken of as the body of Christ. With diverse members and gifts, the church’s task is to come together, because we are one body, and function in unity for the glory of God. The church is also the family, or household, of God. God’s work of reconciliation is acutely, and wonderfully, seen in this household of faith. The church is the one place where race, class, and gender-based hostilities and divisions are set aside. In Christ, God has created one new humanity. Our task is to live out that oneness. God is active and present in his church, it is referred to as the temple of the Spirit. The imagery draws from the well of the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple; the Holy Spirit dwells in the church, giving life to church. Therefore we are to guard this gift and not quench the Spirit.

God is at work: in tremendous love he is reconciling the world to himself. And to his church he has entrusted the ministry of reconciliation. He has commissioned us with our task. He has gifted and equipped us for our task. He is present among us as we follow him and join him in his grand work. Finally, one day he will bring to completion what he has begun in us. By faith, and in great hope and confidence, we live by the grand story of God’s love and mercy. Returning again and again to the Biblical story of God clarifies for us our identity, our nature, and our mission as God’s church. Returning again and again to it is crucial if we are to live by it.

We conclude our brief study of the nature of the church – what is the church and what is the church to be and do – this Sunday. We will read together several more Scriptures so that our thinking about the church will be clearer and our vision sharper. From there, Lord willing, we will spend two weeks discussing tools and strategies for church growth that take seriously both the nature of the church as well as the dynamics of the small church. Join us!

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Another installment.