1 Thing Matters

The Church doesn’t exist merely as a social club. She has been redeemed and set aside for a purpose. She has a mission to carry out: to draw every soul closer to Jesus in faith. How important is that mission? Important enough that God promises to provide the necessary workers to equip his Church to carry it out.

What makes a superhero brave and bold? While some are naturally born that way, for most, it’s their discovery and use of some type of superpower. Of course I’d be bold enough to jump off a tall building - if I could fly. And I wouldn’t be afraid of sneaking up on a bad guy - if I could be invisible. Yes, I'd be confident enough to take on any villain one-on-one - if I had superhuman strength. 

The believer doesn’t need superhero powers, though; he’s got something even mightier: his baptism. May we live boldly in our baptism for the One who died and lives for us.

The right title or name matters. You don’t call pest control when you’ve got a plumbing problem. You don’t google the nearest bakery when the garage door falters. You look to the right title or name to get the job done right. So, when it comes to the matter of salvation, we don’t just look to any old name or title, but to the only name that saves: our Savior, Jesus Christ.

There is so much noise in the world today. So many people have something to say. Most of it is worthless. Some is not. And still some is absolutely essential. How do we tell the difference? We seek out the voice of the Good Shepherd. When we hear it, we listen, for he alone has the words of life.

A host encourages her guest to make herself at home. The deployed service member longs for a piece of something that feels like home. Home is where we belong.

But as believers, we aren’t home yet. We are foreigners. We won’t be home until we are finally with Jesus. Until then, rather than living in the world as if we’re trying to make ourselves at home, we stand out as foreigners, following Jesus by faith.

Hope without something on which to anchor it is little more than wishful thinking. But hope that is founded on something real and reliable is powerful and promising. That is exactly the hope believers have through faith in the risen Savior.

What is really important? Sometimes what we consider important is really just urgent. It’s something that needs to get done, yes, but it isn’t really all that important. Other times, what we consider important is really just personal preference for the way something is done. It matters to us, sure, but it isn’t really all that important.

So, what is really important? The Resurrection! If Jesus was crucified and stayed dead, then Christianity is no different than every other religion: powerless to save. But if he lives - and Jesus does! - then it makes all the difference in the world, now and eternally, because only a risen Christ can save! What could be more important than that?

You are going about your daily business. There is a crowd. You are easily distracted by all the activity. It’s a holiday, and there are extra things to prepare. It is easy to focus on your personal task at hand and lose sight of the bigger picture. Focus! Look up! There is a King who presents himself so humbly that you might miss the importance of his arrival. Hail the King - your king - who humbly comes to save us!

I recognize the danger of death. I am tempted to wonder whether my life was worth it if I do not leave a legacy or live on in the memories of my loved ones after I die. When my soul separates from my body, will I also be eternally separated from God in hell? Jesus promises much better. He promises life. One day I will be reunited with my believing loved ones, both soul and body. I will live with Jesus forever in eternity. Jesus raised people from the dead to prove his power over death. That’s exactly the power I need.

Series: Exactly What I Need

I recognize my deep spiritual thirst. I long for a good relationship with God and for everlasting life. I am tempted to satisfy that deep thirst with worldly things, a strategy doomed to failure. I realize that my thirst is satisfied only by the one who said, “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” Jesus meets my greatest need.

Series: Exactly What I Need