Dear Fellow Children of God
Last Sunday, February 12, six new families joined St.
John during our worship services. (A
seventh family who is joining St. John was out of town.) These six families stood
in front of the congregation and stated that they believe in Jesus as their
Savior, that they want to serve Him with their lives, and that they want to
serve Him in this congregation.
In some ways, joining a Christian congregation is not so
unusual an occurrence. For centuries and
millennia people have made similar statements of their belief in Jesus as their
Savior and have committed to serving Him with their lives. For centuries and millennia individual
Christians have made similar statements of their belief in Jesus as their
Savior and have committed to serving Him in local Christian churches.
However, people today often seem hesitant to make the commitment
of joining a congregation. Perhaps modern
Americans are so busy that they feel they don’t need or don’t want one more
commitment. Perhaps people have seen
troubles in organized religion and don’t want those troubles complicating their
lives. Possibly people are afraid that a
church might ask for or expect money or time.
Whatever the reason, it is not uncommon today that people may attend a
Christian congregation, but when it comes to joining, that is a step they are
hesitant to take.
In one way, this hesitancy to join isn’t necessarily a
bad thing. In the past people may have
joined churches not thinking of the commitment they were making to our Lord and
to that local church. So today, when
people know there is commitment expected and still join a congregation, perhaps
that membership means more than it meant for some in the past. I remember one current member of our
congregation who attended for many years before she decided to officially join. But, when she did join, she shared her joy at
her commitment to Jesus and her commitment to His work in this place.
Why would someone want to join a Christian congregation
anyway? Actually, scripture never talks
of ‘joining’ a church. Jesus calls his
followers to make ‘disciples’, not members.
But, there are reasons that Christian discipleship has taken the form of
congregational membership. These reasons
are found in part in the 3 Bible verses below.
In 2
Corinthians 5:15 St. Paul writes, “And he died for all, that those who live should no
longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” This verse says that, because Jesus died and rose for me, I want to
live for Him. Considering the commitment
and sacrifice of Jesus, I should not be afraid of commitment to Him, but should
want to serve Him in His Church.
In Romans 1:16 we read, “I am not ashamed of the gospel,
because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes . . .”
Because I believe that Jesus is my Savior from sin,
and because I believe that God saves me for eternal life in heaven and for a life
of joy and peace in this life, I am thankful
to God. I am not ashamed or afraid of
the commitment that comes along with receiving this gift from God.
Jesus teaches us about God’s continual, protecting
love for us in Matthew 10:29-32. And then
Jesus teaches about what our response should be. “29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall
to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of
your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many
sparrows. 32 Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him
before my Father in heaven.” Jesus
calls us to acknowledge God before others.
One way the Christian church has traditionally chosen to express that
acknowledgment is through publicly stating our faith by joining a local
Christian church.
But, acknowledging Jesus is never just having our names
on the membership book of a local church.
Acknowledging Jesus means living for Him, speaking of Him, and serving
Him. Acknowledging Jesus means that we
work with other Christians to do the work of God’s kingdom which Jesus has
given His people to do.
So, if you are a Christian, that means that you believe that
Jesus lived and died to take away your sins.
If you are a Christian, that means that you believe that Jesus rose to
win victory over sin and death for you.
When you are a Christian you believe that Jesus is your Lord and that He
is your Savior. Therefore, how are you
putting your faith into action? How are
you living for Jesus? How are you
acknowledging Jesus to others?
A Child of God, Acknowledging and
Confessing Jesus in my Local Christian Congregation,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S.
On Sunday, February 12, we rejoiced in the baptism of Kaiah Ann Richards. Here are a couple of pictures. However, Kaiah entered the hospital later that
afternoon with RSV, and now has pneumonia.
Please keep Kaiah in your
prayers.
P.
P. S. Welcome new members of St. John!
On Sunday, February 12, six new families were received at St. John by
adult confirmation, by transfer, and by re-affirmation of faith. Welcome
·
Chris
and Kitty Kasper,
·
Scott
Manke,
·
Josh
and Becky Nance and children Jack and Josie,
·
Christine
Peake,
·
Sue
Toth, and
·
John
and Angie Werner.
·
Also
being received are Ryan and Carrie Trivithick.
They were in New Zealand on February 12.
P.P.P.S. This past Monday, February 13, I went fishing
with St. John member Kym Miller, and St. John friend, Don Welty. Here are the fish we kept.
P.P.P.P.S FINALLY, After supper on Thursday night my
wife, Kathy, read me an article by another pastor entitled, “Boring Church Services.” I thought this article was worth sharing. http://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2017/february-web-exclusives/boring-church-services-changed-my-life.html
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