Our consumer mentality often carries over into how people search for a church. They look for programs, ministries and niceties which appeal to them. In turn, many churches focus on offering things which will attract people. Certainly, a church is to offer something to the world, but what exactly is a church to offer?
The cross of Christ is very often misunderstood. Paul wrote that Jews found it a stumbling block, and Gentiles thought it foolishness. But he affirmed that the cross was the power and wisdom of God? What actually happened at the cross of Jesus?
Crime and immoral behavior of all kinds seem to be spiraling out of control. What is going on? What has changed? The apostle Paul describes a world which has rejected God, and has been left by God to its own devices. The description given in scripture certainly describes what we see happening now. It all seems to fit.
In His sermon on the mount, Jesus described people who would be part of His kingdom. He noted some of the challenges they would face. But He also said that they would be truly blessed in this life, and even more in the life to come. Are you a kingdom person?
Jesus tells the parable of the shepherd who left the 99 sheep in search of the one which had wandered off. We wonder about this since this potentially exposes the 99 to danger or having them wander off as well. Why would the shepherd do this? What does this tell us about how much God loves and values each individual human being?
