Jesus loves the little children in the mud

Jesus once said, "I have come to fulfill the law."

in other words, no more rock throwing. Somebody is going to get an eye knocked out, and a thousand "I'm sorrys" won't bring that eye back.

What was Jesus meaning really? Maybe it's this simple. Without the law, we will be placed in a position to rely only on God's grace. Without this idea of grace, all we have left is the law. All that remains are the rocks waiting to be thrown. Grace is freely extended to all people. And maybe this is why 1st century religious leaders could justify stoning whores, and why they were always trying to trap Jesus. They were like the older brother in the prodigal son story in Luke 15. They couldn't accept that God would throw a party for the broken sinful boy who was recently living in the mud with pigs. But, I guess if I had invested a great deal of time and energy in keeping lawfully fit, I wouldn't want to go to that sort of party either. Not clean enough.

Where the religious leaders of that day had laws empowering them to purify the synagogue through condemning sinners, Jesus empowers his followers to step around those laws to build the church with the love of sinners.

If not for grace, EVERYBODY MUST GET STONED!

Childlike Questions

Is your church “IN” the community or "WITH" the community?

Childlike question #1: “Why are there Church buildings?”
Nowhere in the Bible is the Church ever defined in terms of geography or brick and mortar. She is, however, described as “The Bride of Christ” or “The Body of Christ”, but always as a community believers living out their faith in Christ. Today, in a thousand common expressions we refer to the Church as a place.

Childlike Question #2: “What is the purpose of a church buildings?”
Historically, they exist primarily to serve the interests of those who attend or hold membership within. Functional reasons include housing corporate worship, education, childcare, and various religious activities. For centuries, the Christian world has spent billions of dollars to fulfill a mission to primarily house religious practices.

Childlike Question #3: “What is the purpose of the Church?”
Mainstream theologians argue that the purpose of the church is to carry out the “Great Commission”, to go and spread the message of Jesus, while serving as a glimpse of Christ to the world.

Childlike Question #4: “If a church isn’t a building, is it still a church?”
Of course, but nobody would come to it. Literally.

A good presumption: When an institution’s budget is primarily directed toward improving or maintaining itself (building and programs), that institution’s focus is primarily on itself (Inward). If the budget is geared toward benefitting the surrounding community, or equipping the saints to continually connect with non-members, then it’s focused on others (With). Which most accurately describes your church?

Another good presumption: When the definition of something changes, so does its purpose and mission. Today it seems the source of direction for many churches is birthed from their building, and their purpose has become to invite people to it.

Final question: Is the church “a place” to go to, or “a people” who go?

Which church are you a part of?