A Moment for the Church to Take Heart
Throughout history, there have been some amazing moves of God in the Christian Church. Of course, it all started with Christ rising from the grave, shortly followed by Pentecost when God sent the Holy Spirit. 3,000 people became Christians in a single day! That spark set the ancient world on fire for Jesus. Fast-forwarding quite a bit, I think of moments in church history like the Protestant reformation (around the 1500’s) with the likes of Martin Luther and John Calvin. The “Great Awakening” in the 1700’s that spurred the likes of Charles Wesley and Jonathan Edwards also comes to mind. In terms of more recent Kingdom advances in America and Southern California specifically, the “Jesus People” movement from the 1960’s/70’s was an undeniable catalyst/birthing moment for many of the larger churches around us today. There have undeniably also been “sub-movements” of Kingdom growth even in more recent times like the 90’s and early 2000’s. But if we’re honest, most of the news about the Christian Church these days is far less positive. Have you noticed?
Even before the pandemic, the decline of churches on the back end of their “heydays” has been a thing. Then Covid put the gas pedal on most church growth trend lines. I do not believe Covid was the cause but I absolutely believe it accelerated existing patterns. Every pastor I have spoken to can personally testify to these realities in their own churches. On one hand, this journey has has been a hard pill to swallow for ministry leaders. On the other hand, every pastor I know is still seeing great moves of God in their congregations. And many are starting to really see things turn around. Optimistically, we are definitely seeing that in our context.
To every Christian still faithfully holding the line for the Church –> This is a moment to take heart.
Jesus is still the hope of the world and the Gospel is still power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Jesus’ promise to be with us unto the end of the age as we proclaim His Gospel still counts. Here are five words of biblical encouragement for everyone who continues to believe God’s promises will always be more relevant than the latest national studies.
NUMERO UNO. Jesus told us to “Take heart.” Right before that in John 16:33, Jesus made a promise that most Christians probably wish weren’t true: “In the world you will have tribulation.” Life’s demands, detours, delays, denials, difficulties, and even death are to be expected. Neither our personal investment charts nor our churches’ attendance patterns will always go up and to the right. If we could speak to Christians who were alive during some of history’s great moves of God, I’m 100% sure they would speak of the troubles in this world. The command from Jesus in the midst of the uncertainty is to take heart. The promise that comes with taking heart is Jesus’ peace. Christians, this is a moment to take heart, to keep our heads up, and to continue to trust that Jesus will build His Church.
NUMERO DOS. One of Jesus’ most important commands right before he died was “REMAIN.” John 15 is the beginning of what has been called the “upper room discourse,” Jesus’ final words to his disciples before he died. He uses the word “REMAIN” 11 times! When God repeats something, it’s important. The point the Lord was making was that no matter how hard things were about to get, his disciples needed to REMAIN in Him and REMAIN connected to one another. Friends, we need to REMAIN in the Lord, REMAIN in His Church, and REMAIN connected to God’s people. It’s still the primary spiritual growth mechanism God left behind for believers.
NUMERO TRES. Romans 3:4: “Let God be true though every one were a liar.” Sometimes news, social media, and other negative voices around can easily drown out the truths of God in our hearts. Cracking open that Bible and hanging out amongst believers is a refreshing reminder that God always has the last word. Not every “doom and gloom” portrayal is true. Jesus told us not to worry about more than what we needed to do that very day. He feeds the birds. He makes sure the flowers grow. He also promised to BUILD HIS CHURCH and that the gates of Hell wouldn’t prevail against it. So I for one am going to continue to believe God still wants to move His Kingdom forward through the local church.
NUMERO QUATRO. Where else would we go? In John 6:66 (kinda spooky number!) there had been a steady trend of people who stopped following Jesus. The teachings became a bit harder and more convicting and the crowds thinned out. Jesus turned to his disciples and asked them if they also were planning to go. Peter’s response to Jesus in John 6:68 has been something I have clung to during moments of uncertainty as a Christian and as a pastor. Peter’s response was “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Whenever I consider the alternative options to Christianity, either a different faith structure or none entirely, I’m reminded of why I am a Christian. Nothing else makes sense. Only Jesus has the words of eternal life. Sure, it’s possible to be a Christian and not attend church… but I can’t imagine why a Christian wouldn’t WANT to attend the one institution Jesus left behind.
NUMERO CINCO. “Come and see” still works – but only if you’re there! When Jesus’ first disciples became convinced that they had found the Messiah, they naturally started inviting others to meet him. Their basic evangelistic tactic was simply: “Come and see” if it’s true for yourself. That strategy remains very effective today. In fact, it’s so easy that anyone can do it. We naturally invite people into things that we believe in. So friends, as you continue to invite your friends to “come and see” God’s goodness in Jesus and in this Church, the Gospel will continue to advance. Here’s the kicker though… all this only works if you’re here!
In closing, I don’t have any flashy statistics for you that show we’re on the precipice of Christianity booming back. The truth is, no one knows what the global future holds. What I know for sure is that the primary mechanism Jesus left behind for the continuance of the Kingdom of God on earth is the local Church. And most importantly, none of us will be held accountable for how the Gospel advanced in the entire world during our time. What we’ll be held to account for is how we advanced the Gospel in our little world and among the people we know. So keep being Jesus’ hands and feet. Keep showing up at church. Be on the constant lookout for that one person in your life who might be open to a simple church invite. It might change their world.
Take heart Christians. God isn’t done with you and God is NEVER done with His Church.
In Christ,
Pastor Kyle