The Church is Meant for Flourishing

In session 2 of the Church in the World course, we walk through the history of God's people. It starts with all humans, of course, but when that doesn't go so well, he calls one specific family, the people of Israel.

That call began with Abraham in Genesis 12. Remember the purpose of that call,

“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.

I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you."

Pay specific attention to that last line, "all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

In other words, the reason God called his people is not just for their own salvation (though that might be true as well), but the reason for their calling is to bless "all the peoples on earth." After Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, when God was forming Israel as a nation, giving them the Law, here's the reason,

"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Ex 19:5-6)

Later, when Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, God reiterated this calling, saying,

"See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?" (Deut 4:5-8)

Even the Law was not intended just for the people of God, but for the sake of those around them.

Of course, we know where this was heading. The true blessing promised through Abraham was Jesus...and his Church. Jesus was all about the flourishing of people--spiritual flourishing, of course, but even more than that. Brian Fikkert and Kelly Kapic remind us that flourishing is spiritual, social, economic, and physical. This explains many of the laws we see in the Old Testament. And we see it in the ministry of Jesus.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus walked into the synagogue, opened up the scroll of Isaiah and read his mission statement.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Jesus' life, death, and resurrection was the ultimate blessing to the world, but he also called his people to continue that ministry of blessing. That's why we see echoes of Sinai at the beginning of the Sermon on Mount, when Jesus says,

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mt 5:14-16)

Sound familiar? Jesus' "law" was intended to promote flourishing in his people and radiate out to the world.

The Apostle Peter picks up on this calling when he writes to the Church,

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)

What I want you to see is that the purpose of the Church is not to huddle up and wait for Christ's return. It's not just to be the people who are saved while the rest of the world is going to hell.

Our calling is to be the people through whom God blesses the world.

We do that through our witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus AND through works of mercy and justice.