Greatness of God's Church: Hope SingaporeSample

The Greatness of the Church’s Influence The Church of Jesus Christ is called to be the salt and light to the world. The Church was probably the most powerful and influential organization in Europe during the Middle Ages. It guided most aspects of society in one way or another. In the Middle Ages people were very religious. The Church baptized them, buried them, provided instructions and guidance in between their life. It provided teaching to a lot of people, not just the clergy, monks, and nobility. The Church ran schools for those who had poor families. This sometimes included merchants and tradesmen. Not only did the Church provide education, it provided secure transport along colonist routes. However, the Church needs to keep her saltiness in order to shine and influence the world for God’s glory. This key is to grow in “saltiness” and this is centred in the Church’s growth in Jesus (John 15) in order to bear fruits that will last. This is something that requires the commitment and perseverance of God’s people to grow in Jesus and to fulfil His call. “In the United States, the church has lost much of its emphasis on teaching Scripture. Most things are driven by marketing; while marketing can be a useful tool, it is not a criterion of truth or morality. Some messages are more popular than others because they are more marketable to consumers. Many churches across the theological spectrum succumb to the culture’s values, whether its sexual mores or its materialism; many churches fight for their tradition, or focus on charismatic speakers’ experiences. Yet most of the western church today neglects the very Scriptures that we claim to be our arbiter of truth and a living expression of God’s voice. Syncretism with the spiritual values of the world, such as the worship of mammon alongside God, has weakened much of the church in my nation.” - Craig Keener The extent of the influence of the Church depends on the rootedness of herself in Jesus and His Word, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Followers of Christ must not be asleep but rise to fulfil the call of the Church is to make disciples of ALL nations, all over the world (Matthew 28:19-20)! REFLECTION QUESTIONS • Have you ever find yourself struggling in being the light to the world that Jesus speaks about? How could you continue to do so in Christ? • Have you been growing in your ‘saltiness’? Will you make your commitment to grow in ‘saltiness’, empowered by the Holy Spirit daily?