Encouragement

Last Sunday, I was encouraged by the sermon at church. It is probably the first time, since arriving back in Sydney, that I have been encouraged to be Christian.

I've come to be convinced that the church is not dis-similar to any other social/sporting clubs that are out there. I play frisbee and there is an organisation of volunteers that admister the running of the sport and it is not just an organisation of volunteers. Its a social context that people spend their after-work lives in. There are regular frisbee games, and after the structured activities there are the times you spend with the friends you have made at the regular games. One thing can found in almost any social club, the members are primarily concerned with furthering the agenda of the club. Consequently, nearly all clubs have it part of their agenda to grow the club. Church isin't that dis similar.

In Matthew, Jesus says "You are the light of the world...a city on a hill cannot be hidden...let your good deeds shine for all to see". If you know the context of Matthew, you woud actually realise that Jesus is NOT speaking to Christians here. Matthew wrote his book to a Jewish audience. Jesus at the sermon of the mount was speaking to Jewish people, not Christians. Jesus is saying that the Jewish people, God's chosen people, are supposed to be a light of the world, a city on a hill. God expected the Jewish people to be a light to the world. How were they supposed to be a light of the world? Jesus says it later, by having their good deeds shine for all to see.

Many people think that only in the New Testament does the loving and caring God come about. Thats not true. The call for the Israelites was for them to worship God. Through the sacrifical system yes, but also through letting their good deeds shine before men. Not is Jesus only talking to Jewish, and is it limited to the Old Testament? No, its a call for ALL of God's people. All those who are called by God, are called to do good works. It is a theology that is found in both the Old and New Testaments.

The churches in Sydney, the ones who term themselves 'evangelical Bible-believing', are shining their light very brightly as they can. The problem is I'm not sure if its the right light. Because if Jesus defines shining the light as doing good works, then we've got to wonder about what type of light we are shining? We shine a light of Bible studies, conventions, evangelistic events. Are these works any different from that of a social club in furthering its own agenda? Just ask non-Christians what they think of zealous Christians who spend heaps of time in church activities? Shining a light such that even the unbelievers praise God as Jesus says in Matthew 2:16? Or do they see such churches as on the same level as a cult? Some might say, that this is God's agenda. Perhaps yes, but as far as Jesus has just expounded on, it seems like we might be missing out on God's agenda. What type of light does this really shine?

I've personally felt this. I've tried to distance myself from bible studies and I've told people that I am keen on getting involved in community service. Many people have told me how important it is for me to be in a 'fellowship' group and tell me that I should get involved in a Bible study. More importantly, no one (barring one person) has encouraged me in getting involved in community service, to help those who are not as blessed as I am, to help those who Jesus would have spent time with should he have arrived in this present day. Now I'm not frustrated at any person or people. I'm just stating the objective facts. While many people gently rebuked me for not joining a bible study group, only one encouraged me to be involved in community service. If there is something that I am emotional about, it is the extent of religion within our church: where what is being taught and modelled to the large majority in churches is more concerned with advancing God's 'glory' and not obeying his instructions.

Last Sunday, I was encouraged by the sermon at church. It is probably the first time, since arriving back in Sydney, that I have been encouraged to be Christian.