Church Renewal

:: 33 :: “Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21)

Jesus tells us that we should should put our resources toward those things that are eternal. While we should be wise in how we steward our finances today, our ultimate hope is in God.

The hope of Christians is that this life is not all there is, that there is something better, there is something beyond this life, where we will one day be raised with Christ, clothed in

:: 30 :: “You must reserve a tenth-part of whatever your fields produce each year.” (Deuteronomy 14:22)

The Bible is unapologetic in discussing our income, possessions, and generous giving. In the Old Testament, the offering was not determined by a percentage of income but instead consisted of sacrificing a portion of crop and livestock yields. The act of sacrifice had a number of purposes, among them atoning for sin and caring for the poor and oppressed.

:: 27::  So, my child, draw your strength from the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Take the things you heard me say in front of many other witnesses and pass them on to faithful people who are also capable of teaching others. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Disciples of Jesus are called to a great task. We are to take those things we have learned from faithful pastors and loving them as Christ loved you. Praying for them. Serving  them. And speaking to them of your hope when you have opportunity.

Others may have the gift of evangelism and may be naturally inclined to steer conversations with new friends

:: 25::  Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it. (1 Peter 3:15b)

Witnessing to Jesus is a two-fold task and includes inviting others to the life of discipleship and answering the doubts, questions, and difficulties that those inside and outside the church have concerning our Christian faith. As Alister McGrath writes, “Evangelism could be said to be like offering someone bread. Apologetics would then be about persuading people there is bread to be had and it is good to eat.”

When we are asked concerning our hope, First Peter instructs us to “be ready to defend

:: 22 ::  So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. (Romans 12:1)

The word worship brings to the imagination an event, most notably a standard church service. But the biblical notion of worship moves us beyond an event and thrusts us forward to a constant way of life. The worship of God is not only marked by the words we say and hear, but is defined by action.

One of the sayings of the Desert Fathers, a group of fourth and fifth century Egyptian