Why?

Did the birth of Jesus meet expectations? Who’s? If the answer is the prophets, then the answer is, yes.  If, however, your answer is the average religious leaders in the temple, then the answer is, no. His birth did not include establishing the political throne of David in a new sovereign nation whose capital is Jerusalem. This expectation, grounded in the memory of a powerful past, was costly to the soul.

We know certain notions are lethal to us as a local church. Over the last two editions of Cornerstone I shared two.  First, we learned that when we make our past “glorious times” our focus, it is lethal.  Second, we learned that refusal to reflect on our community and be a part of our community is lethal.  

This month, we focus on a healthy motive: our “why?” If a church loses her “reason,” she will decline and spiral into fruitless meetings about preferences such as worship style or decorum.  In the confusion, leaders will pour money and precious resources, including time, into fruitless priorities like maintaining past notions of “great” or grabbing some temporary social/political issue (might even be a good cause, but not our eternal one. I wonder... did Judas think Jesus was a revolutionary of the type of Jehu? He wasn’t.)

Focus with me on the covenant idea of “love.” I speak of the Hebrew idea of “hesed.” A love inextricably tied to faithfulness/obedience.  A fidelity (staying heart true) to our relationship with Jesus as my Lord and Savior by rightly identifying Him and living His instructions.  His instructions lead me to true right living and the way to retain it through covenant relationship. A morality (holiness) based in the character of the blessed Trinity.  This is a love-life leading to full maturity as a child of God. It transforms me and my world.

His co-mission or “Why we exist”: to “Love” Him and raise up (evangelize) more students of true covenant love and relationship.  We must show them this eternal way of living. To know the triune God in love (hesed) relationship and enjoy Him forever.  Boom! Yes!  This equals healthy churches.  Healthy churches relentlessly practice this kind of living and evangelizing.  It requires the Sacred testimony of Scripture and faithful leaders.  

Brother Barry

And thanks to Thom Rainer, Barna Group and Gary McIntosh for their thoughts.