The Church I See—A Church for the City
Jesus said, “I will build MY church.”
Acts 2:42 - “They DEVOTED themselves…”
This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: 5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
8 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams, 9 because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:4-14 NLT
The church became a refuge from the world rather than a force in the world.
The church became a fortress from the world rather than the hope of the world.
THE CHURCH I SEE IS NOT JUST A CHURCH IN A CITY, IT IS A CHURCH FOR OUR CITY
If we ceased to exist, would our city notice?
Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Mark 1:17 NLT
DO WE WANT A TANK FOR US OR TRANSFORMATION FOR ALL?
On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” Jonah 3:4 NLT
When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened. This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a
merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen. The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” Jonah 3:10-4:4 NLT
Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?” “Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!” Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” Jonah 4:9-11
God sends Jonah to a city for THE CITY’S SAKE, not for Jonah’s comfort.
We are in the city to LOVE the city.
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 NLT
We are in the city to SERVE the city.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT
We are in the city to REACH the city.
Therefore, go and make disciples… Matthew 28:19 NLT