Simple

I had a conversation after worship yesterday with a guy we'll call Jim. Jim wanted a chance to respond to what I had said in my message during the service. Jim is a middle-aged, recovering addict. He has recently begun attending services with his family. Jim had been turned-off and burnt-out by the church and religion in general in the past. As an addict, and even as a recovering addict, he has never felt welcome in a faith community. So Jim has responded whole-heartedly to the message of love and grace and acceptance that we try to communicate at The Journey. I am currently teaching a message series on seven passions that help to define the lives of Christ followers (I do not claim this is an exhaustive list, but I believe that it is an important one). Yesterday I spoke about the practice of service and how that practice really communicates who we are and what we believe. Jim was very excited about the message and as we spoke after the service he said: "That's it - that's the Gospel of Christ. I know theology is important but I'm going to leave that to the theologians (paraphrase). People shouldn't have any problem knowing what I believe when they see how I live. I'm going to stand for Jesus. I'm going to stand for love" (paraphrase). Could it really be that simple? Can the gospel of Jesus Christ be communicated without words? Admittedly, as a preacher that makes me nervous. On the other hand, I was so excited because Jim gets it. He gets the gospel. Remember when Jesus said the message is so simple that children can understand? I'll tell you this - my kids don't understand a lick of theology - but they sure know love when they see it. And I think about how powerful the love of Jesus is and how much of an impact the church can have when our emphasis is on love - not on condemnation or judgment or who's right or who's wrong - but on love. I think it's easy to talk about love and to talk about doctrine and to talk about who's right and who's wrong. I like to talk because it's easy. What's not so easy is figuring out what my words look like when they are put to action. So, here's the question - what does the Gospel of Jesus look like? I know what it says...I know what the words are...but what does it look like? In a culture that is dominated by visual images we better figure that out. And in the meantime, maybe we should stop talking and start serving. There really is no better way to show the world that God loves them. More tomorrow...(That's right, I said tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!)

Peace and Towels,
Dan