We are calling today our “Back to Chuch Sunday” as we return back to our traditional two service and start a new Church Year.
But the Big question is, “What are we coming back to?”, “What is the Church?”, “Why do I go to church?”, “Why do I go to this church?”
The early believers (The church) were together in these scriptures, but what was the point of it all. Was all of Jesus’ teaching just for them and their own blessing? What was the purpose of thier togetherness?
*Were Back to Church, So now what? What’s the Point? *
Luke 24:33-34
John 6:67-69 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Into the confused feelings of confusion about why they were together, Jesus steps in and gives them their/our mission statement. To know
Purpose 1: The
V36-46 “Were together”, 1st off. It is together that they were to know Jesus personally. They needed to know that the same Jesus who died was the same Jesus who stood before them now- as well as the scriptures that all point to Him.
Church is the place where we grow in our relationship and knowledge of our savior, it is the place where we worship our King, but it isn’t only about Us.
If we make it only about us, we can take it or leave it.
Purpose 2: The Urgent
To know our Savior is to respond to his ongoing mission in the world. Jesus came to inaugurate it, while we wait for its consummation (2nd coming) we are to continue HIS mission.
V46-49 The message is Good News to a broken world. The church is God’s chosen method to share this message.
Ephesians 3:7-10 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
“Out to all men had to go the call to repentance and the offer of forgiveness. The church was not left to live forever in the upper room; it was sent out into all the world. After the upper room came the worldwide mission of the church. The days of sorrow were past, and the tidings of joy must be taken to all men.” Barclay
Change of perspective
Can we begin to change our particularly western secular view that everything is simply about us, including our faith? That our part in the “togetherness” of the church is important and not just about “me”. Can this new season become for you a hinge point where you look at your faith as taking part in something bigger than simply your own “relationship with Jesus”?
