Resurrection Church

In the corner of the body of Christ where I hang out, most folks seem to understand pretty clearly that we are saved “not by works, so that no man can boast,” but solely by the free and gracious gift of Christ’s death. But lately I've noticed that when we talk about the church, we sometimes make a subtle shift towards an us-centered effort. Maybe we’re told that the church has the “potential” to change the world, or maybe we’re hearing about how the church’s failure has resulted in some or other of the world’s ills. 

And of course this is all true . . . to a point. As we self-assess how we, as this eye or that toe of the body of Christ, are being faithful to Jesus, it is right and good for us to be prophetically rigorous in naming our racism, greed, classism, lust, individualism, nationalism, or downright apathy, and even to name how our failures have been failures to Jesus, the Head, to the rest of His body, the church, and to our neighbors throughout the world.

Nevertheless, I think that some of our talk about the church can make a grave error: speaking as if the church’s mission is up for grabs, as if the church might stand, and change the world, or fall, and destroy it. But it is Jesus himself who promised to build His church on the rock of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the King of the entire world. And that promise to build the church was tied to another: “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” We often picture this as a promise that the church will survive hell’s onslaught, when really it’s actually the opposite. Gates aren't offensive weapons like swords or nuclear bombs, they’re defensive weapons, like moats, ramparts, or missile shields. So the promise isn't that the church will survive hell’s onslaught, the promise is that hell will be demolished by the church’s attack.

And to some extent, to look around and say, “It sure doesn't look like we’re pulling down the gates of hell,” is to look in the wrong direction. Because the gates of hell have already fallen before the Risen Christ. He has already defeated hell through his resurrection, and it is this risen body of Jesus which every Christian is grafted into. To be the church is to be part of the people united with the risen Lord.

Eugene Peterson calls the church a “colony of heaven in the kingdom of death.” And what I’m saying is that this colony is backed by an enormous super power, the Empire of God, which has already taken out the capital of Death’s kingdom. The church’s work in the world is founded upon the resurrection and carried out in the power of the resurrection. Our work is from life to life. Just as our personal salvation is sure, so also is the church’s victory through its union with the victorious Christ.

Of course there is a longing, a waiting, a deep gasping for breath before all of this is finally consummated and completed, when the Risen Lord comes to resurrect us. And what that means is that the way that we live out our life in the Risen Head as we wait to become fully the risen toes, feet, and fingers, is that we expect to travel the way of the cross. I needed the reminder of resurrection this week, because recently the brokenness of my neighborhood, family, life, and world has been overwhelming (remember Andrew’s post about failure?). And that feeling can and has fueled cynicism, burnout, bigotry, and despair in my life and the lives of many of us. But if Jesus really rose from the dead, all the pain of the world is the pain of the cross, and it should simply fuel wonder that this, this too, will be raised from the dead. May we always speak of the bride with the confidence that the cross is the sure means and the resurrection the sure end by which Christ has saved, is saving, and will save the world.

Michael Rhodes

mrhodes@advancememphis.org

Lessons from Jawbreakers

Dear Friends,

Why do I need winter, a garage, a cat, Jawbreakers, and a friend to help me to learn contentment and joy? Isn’t reading God’s word and going to church enough? Well, it’s NOT for this writer.

Sermons at church about joy and contentment prick my heart from time to time. But when those lessons are coupled with relationships that show me the contrast between what I SHOULD do and what I AM doing—then things get moving. Change happens. We all know that God's word says to imitate Jesus. To do that, we must be constantly changing. If I'm imitating Him, then I'm always repenting of my sin and seeking His design. My friend Jane is helping me to do that in a mighty way. 

Jane asks me, “How can I heat the garage I’m living in with a space heater and not drive up the owner’s utility bill?” I admit my ignorance and then begin to brainstorm with her.  She is not bitter about her living situation—quite the opposite. In fact, I actually notice her contentment and her gratitude to the family letting her live in their garage.

WOW, that is in STARK contrast to the 

way that I respond to all I have.

Now we get to the part about Jane’s cat—I really don’t like cats. Jane has four cats, and she loves them. So where does my friend find her joy? She is elated to be on our computers at Advance learning how to use email so that she can communicate with an agency that will help take care of her cats for free. As I am talking to her, she asks me a question about email. Eventually she sends off her request for help, delighted that she has found a way to help her cats.

Then Jane’s Champion (mentor) arrives. Jane jumps up—thrilled—and says “I love this lady!” You see, Jane had been asking for a Champion for months (she went through Jobs for Life before we offered mentoring). Advance began to pray and ask friends if they would be this woman’s Champion. God has answered that prayer and Jane is studying God’s word with her Champion. This mentor knew it was my friend’s birthday and brought a cake to celebrate! Now Jane's joy was overflowing; her delight over cats being helped for free, having a friend to study the Bible with her, and having a birthday cake. I have more friends and invitations to study the Bible than I can possibly accept, plus birthday cake options every year. Again, God is using her joy and contentment to convict my heart. 

Now let’s deal with this box of candy. A couple of weeks ago Jane was in the office and shared her Jawbreakers with me.  Today she asks me to close my eyes because she has a surprise for me. We all know the game and I was happy to play. Her hands are behind her back. I’m told to pick a hand. I pick left and am given a box of Jawbreakers! I’m thrilled with the gift and my heart is now in tension.

Friends, this woman joyfully lives in a garage and has planned this purchase and gift for me—JAWBREAKERS. Why don’t I have more joy, contentment, and generosity in my life? Oh, the reasons are many; maybe my environment is too sterile (church, neighborhood, school) or maybe I’m just “too busy” to plan a thoughtful gift or listen to God or reflect on a sermon.

I know I'm not the only one who benefits from seeing this contrast. Won't you come get involved in a personal relationship and begin to embrace cats, candy, and garages? God will continue to use His word and many other things—Jawbreakers!—to move us toward being more joyful, content, and generous. Please bring your time, talents, and resources. Let’s build His kingdom and embrace reciprocal learning!

Sincerely,

Steve