A New Day: Connected for a Purpose
A New Day: Connected for a Purpose
For God Alone
Yesterday, via social media, I worshipped with a number of congregations around the country: New York, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and all over Texas. (Additionally, it was my joy to study God’s word with Dennis Parrott and the Bridge Builders Sunday School Class.) Each congregation employed whatever resources they could to effectively proclaim God’s glory through music, scripture, liturgy, and prayer, and preach the gospel with clarity and conviction. I was moved by the vast array of talent, and the meaningful ways each congregation conveyed the timeless message of Jesus to all who listened and watched. Praise God for the gifts He has bestowed on His Church. To God alone be all the glory!
The Church is connected by One Lord, One Fatih, and One Baptism. Even through the myriad of expressions within the Christian faith, Christ-followers are connected through our singular confession in the Person of Jesus, who is Lord and Savior.
The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation by water and the word;
From Heaven He came and sought her to be His holy Bride,
With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.
Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.
‘Mid toil and tribulation and tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation of peace forevermore,
‘Till with the vision glorious, her longing eyes are blest,
And the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union with God the three in One,
And mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won;
Oh happy ones and holy, Lord give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with Thee.*
In just a few months, the entire world has become connected by a common enemy named Coronavirus, or COVID-19. Seven-plus billion people are now One Large Family, because all human beings now living are affected by this malady. Thankfully, we all believe this ‘connection’ will end at some point in the future, hopefully sooner rather than later. However, for the foreseeable future, all humanity is connected in a way not seen in many years, perhaps, ever. While passing by neighbors during my daily walk these past days, we have greeted one another with a new sense of community. During a walk a few days ago, a woman stopped Mary and me and asked if we had some used bed sheets she and others could repurpose into masks for medical personnel and first responders. We had not met Val before, but, for the first time, three people found connection in a common purpose.
What does all this say to the Christian Church?
Even while the Church of Jesus worships scattered in Family Dwellings instead of Church Houses recognized throughout communities, we find encouragement knowing the Church for which Jesus died will advance even during this time: And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. (John 12:32) Indeed, the Church quite likely will emerge from this current worldwide connection stronger than ever before in her 2000-year history! Praise God!
What will you and I do during this season to serve the Kingdom of God in ways that Jesus may be lifted up and His name and renown be made known? Let us commit to pray, and to continued service with whatever means of time and resource God provides. One day, you and I will look back and see how the faithful, purposeful, and mighty Sprit of God was moving to effect His eternal purpose through His Church during these days of worldwide challenge.
God bless you, and have a good day!
Paul
Psalm 115:1
*The Church’s One Foundation, Samuel J. Stone, (1839-1900) © 1866
© Paul R. Magyar, DMA, 2020
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