I was asked to write something for the annual report of the congregation for which I currently am preaching. Here is what they got
You have power — more than you know. Well, okay, it’s not your own power, but it is yours to use. You need to know this because too many churches are anxious and afraid. And we are urged, commanded, actually, not to be. Afraid, that is.
“What are we going to do to attract and keep people?”
“How do we get people to give?”
“What happened to the young people” (assuming we don’t just redefine “young people” as anyone under seventy)?
These are understandable questions, but they are symptomatic of a church on the defensive. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, how can we be on the defensive?
Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). If we believe this, empowered by the Spirit, we find ourselves asking questions concerning our purpose and articulating our vision for fulfilling that purpose. Or if we have stated this, how much is it our focus?
Here are three essential parts of joining with our Lord in overcoming the world:
Accept God’s ethical mandate.
Jesus acted on suffering and injustice in front of him. He clearly expected his disciples to do the same.
Believe in the power with the mandate.
Jesus expressed frustration with the disciples when their fear and hesitancy prevented them exercising his power to free others from the powers that bound them (e.g. Luke 9:4041).
Challenge the status quo.
Christ is removing the veil from our faces (2 Corinthians 4:3-6) to free us and others from “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), experienced in obscene wealth, power and control, with attendant personal ills for those up against powers both external and internal, of anxiety, addiction, and destructive anger.
There is power over all these things, so let us be sure to ask the right questions.