The Perfecting Church

We live in a time and age that puts so much emphasis on the individual and personal choice. Our focus on self tears at the very fabric of our design and human relationships. But God has called us together into something bigger than ourselves. And one of the keys to the eyes of our understanding being opened is the revelation of Us.

There are three sacred things that only the Heavenly Father can provide for us. Apart from them our lives are filled with disorder, inadequacy and purposelessness. And there are three significant things that our earthly fathers can provide for us that stabilize and advantage us in this world. We’re all in need of the Father Factor.

The hardships and suffering we experience in this world have a purpose that works for us and extends far beyond us. Our response to hardships and suffering shape us and set a stage for God’s glory and for God’s judgement to be revealed. God’s glory is revealed when we respond His way, with His words and His intent. God’s judgement is revealed to those who resist and refuse His way, words and intent. But the present suffering, hardships, glory and judgements are not worthy to be compared with what we will soon see — at His second coming.

So much of the culture wars of our day are about responsibility and culpability. Who’s at fault for the injustices and inequities that plague this world? Some lean towards seeing everything as a matter of individual responsibility — if they hadn’t been there, if they hadn’t done that, if they had worked harder or been smarter. Others lean towards seeing everything as systemic and structural — the deck is stacked, the system is broken, there's no justice for some. Both perspectives carry truth, but both are secular world views. The follower of Jesus is called to biblical responsibility — to participate, demonstrate and advocate for a way of life that is accountable for one another. We are one another’s keeper.

God is generous, God is just and equitable and God is our advocate. Biblical justice is the overflow of God’s character into our lives, our practices and our social structures. The follower of Jesus is called to be an advocate, one who stands against unjust, ungodly practices and systems that undermine the wellbeing and opportunities for flourishing in the lives of others. To be a follower of Jesus is to be one that speaks up, stands up and shows up for others but especially for the marginalized.

Pentecost Sunday - May 23rd, 2021

Justice in the eyes of God is not about us or anyone else getting what they deserve. Justice in God’s eyes is about us getting what He intended. Biblical justice is connected to the very character of God and its outworking in our everyday lives. If we are going to live justly and promote God’s brand of justice, we will answer the call to see our neighbor as those who bear His image and not our own.

For some, Mother’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate mom and our gratitude for her special place in our lives. For others, it’s a reminder of what they’ve lost or never had. To honor these intricately faceted perceptions of motherhood, we’ll host an up-close and personal panel discussion with women who’ll share their insights of A Legacy of Motherhood.

We all have felt dishonored by others in some form or fashion and instinctively want punishment for those who have hurt us. God wants to entrust us with greater grace and power. He wants to collaborate with us to execute His judgments and His justice in the world. But He will not trust us with greater power if we can not trust Him with our offenses.

What the world calls justice is typically not justice at all. It’s just vengeance carried out for us by someone else. Justice is often defined and described in terms of vengeance — they got what they deserved. But justice is not simply about them getting what they deserve. Justice is about us all getting what God intended. Justice, unlike vengeance, has two sides — a punitive side and a restorative side. True justice exists to make us whole. Justice For All.