What's the point? When we began having Sunday Worship Services at West Loop on Jan 4th, 2008, I came up with 3 short catch phrases: "Love God. Understand People. Impact the World." Yet, over the last few years, not a few people have asked me, "What is the purpose of West Loop UBF?" After almost 4 years (probably a little late!), this might be my first written attempt to answer the question.
A gospel community. I pray that we may be a gospel church and a gospel community, a church where the gospel is preached and proclaimed, and as a result the gospel is lived out in every area of our lives and expression as a Christian.
Therefore, I pray that the gospel may be central and foundational to everything that we think, feel, decide and do, either in church, or in our homes, or in the world--wherever we are.
What is the gospel? The gospel would be functionally synonymous with the grace of God (Acts 20:24), or the message of the cross (1 Cor 1:18), or Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23, 2:2), which Paul regards as of paramount and of utmost importance (1 Cor 15:3-4). Why? Because only the gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 1:18). There is no other power for salvation other than the gospel and the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).
No one else can save anyone. No man, no matter how spiritual, holy, gentle, kind, faithful, compassionate, experienced, eloquent, charismatic, likable, fatherly, motherly, Christ-like, etc, can ever lead to the salvation of any other person (1 Cor 3:6-7). Even Jesus, the perfect One in everything, could only save those whom the Father drew to him (John 6:37, 44).
Do or done? How then might we articulate and communicate the gospel? Briefly, the gospel is never ever what we do. Rather, the gospel is always what God has done for us through Christ. Bill Hybels said that the gospel is never do, but done.
How is the gospel heard? The gospel is always only heard through the Word and by the work of the Holy Spirit working simultaneously in a sinner's heart (Rom 10:14; 1 Cor 2:13-14). One without the other does not cut it. The Holy Spirit cannot work without the Word of the gospel being proclaimed. The Word cannot work when the Holy Spirit is not working either in the preacher or in the hearer. We need the Word, the Spirit, and the Gospel. Then supernatural miracles and revivals happen, all by the sovereign workings of God.
A fear of grace. I have heard from Christians that those who mainly hear the message of God's grace, or who receive "too much grace" become do-nothing Christians. I disagree. The so-called "do-nothing Christians" are like that because they have not understood or embraced the manifold implications of God's grace upon their own lives.
The only solution to despondency and pride. Until the gospel is heard through the Word and by the Spirit, we will either be "do-nothing Christians" or self-righteous Pharisee-like Christians who basically think that we are better or more worthy and deserving than the do-nothing Christians. Only the gospel is able to effectively take away despondency and hubris. Only the gospel is able to humble us from being like a Pharisee, and at the same time give us boldness and confidence to get out of our beds!
Because of "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24), I pray that we may be transformed by the Trinity. Because of "the gospel of the grace of God" I pray that we may be moved and motivated by the mystery of Christ. Because of "the gospel of the grace of God" I pray that we may be a gospel church and a gospel community.
Generally speaking, I have primarily been a cerebral and often quite an impractical person. So, if you care to, please inspire and help us to articulate and clarify our purpose more elaborately.
I hope to see what is said here put in action. UBF West Loop members are very well-knitted. We are family-close. Yet, I do not see acts of reaching out boldly. Besides putting the times of service outside the door, what else do we do to reach out to the West-loop community?
ReplyDeleteJoseph R.