I Believe in God, but I'm Not a Fan of the ChurchSample

CHURCH: AN OUTPOST OF COMPASSION, A COMMUNITY OF DEVOTION & GENEROSITY

God’s design for the church is that it would be a blessing and reach the entire world. At its best, the church should be a place where people feel safe, loved, accepted, and cared for.

Acts is the New Testament’s strategy to reach the world. In today’s passage from Acts, Peter sees a lame beggar and offers him healing in the name of Jesus. As a result of this incredible blessing, the man leaped up with praise and worship. It’s reasonable to assume that the healing bestowed on this man changed the trajectory of his life. In his miraculous healing, he was able to encounter Christ.

God’s dream for the world and His people is outlined all the way back in the Old Testament. In Genesis 1, after God created Adam and Eve, He commands them to be fruitful and multiply and to fill the earth. In Genesis 12, God enters into a covenant relationship with Abram. God promises Abram that he will be given a nation and that all people throughout the earth will be blessed through him.

I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

God’s people and His church were always meant to be the way in which His Kingdom would expand. The kingdom will grow when the followers of Jesus act out of compassion, devotion, and generosity.

In 1945, a German pastor was executed for his role in an attempt to stop the Nazi regime and its atrocities against humanity. While he was ultimately killed, the teachings of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer continue to guide us to the heart of the Father. During his imprisonment from 1943 to 1945, Bonhoeffer wrote down his convictions and beliefs about being a follower of Jesus. In the book, Letters and Papers from Prison, Bonhoeffer wrote, “The church is only the church when it exists for others… not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live for Christ, to exist for others.”

When we look beyond imperfect Christians, we behold the perfect Christ.

Ask Yourself:

-How should followers of Jesus act according to the passage in Colossians?

-How do you see the modern church living out this call of compassion, generosity, and devotion? Where do they fail?

-How can we remain compassionate even when we disagree with others (within the church or outside)?

Pause to Pray: Father God, thank you for the example of mercy and love that you show us throughout scripture. Help us draw closer to you by showing compassion to those around us…

Take a Next Step: What is one way you can show the love of Christ and compassion to someone in your life? Make time to do it this week.