Church in 2018



Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
There are a few teachings, practices and beliefs that I have noticed among the Christian communities which made my heart burdened. I thought it would be a great experience of learning for me when I take part in discussions with you about it. So, with your permission, I will try to open up my heart to share about a few things today.

  1. We hear preachers assuring the members of the church that their situation is gonna change from bad to good. Good! And then …. And we wait to hear further, but we become disappointed. It does not proceed further from that point of individual blessings or the blessings of any Christian community.
  2. Messages have become half truths as the Bible tells us about a different thing.
a.       Blessing was promised to the ancient world through Abraham.
Gen 12:2  and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing: Gen 12:3  and I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
b.      And, the blessing for the present world is through Jesus Christ who is the head of the Church.
Gal 3:13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Gal 3:14  that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 Sequence/order of blessing

GOD   >     Abraham      >      OT Church (Israel) >  The families /nations of the earth

GOD   >    Jesus Christ  >      NT Church               >  The entire creation including human beings

This raises a few questions:

  1. What does that word blessing mean to a Christian?
  2. Was the OT Church, Israel faithful to their call to become a blessing for all the families (nations) on the earth?
  3.  How Israel failed God’s purpose?
  4. Is the NT Church faithful to their call to become a blessing for the entire creation of God including human beings?
  5. Does the Church’s responsibility end with the “spiritual edification” of its members?
  6. How can the NT Church be different from the OT Church in becoming a blessing for the entire earth and thereby the entire creation of God?
  7. What practical steps shall we take to play a part in God’s great sustaining and redemptive mission other than praying in shut rooms and churches?

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