The problem is that we have lost our wonder and awe...and as well, we've have lost our capacity to be thankful.
During this Lent season...we need to reflect on not only the greatest gift given to us...Jesus' atoning death on the cross...but also the many other blessings we receive every day.
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Bill Reichart said on the header of his page www.provocativechurch.com that “people will only be intrigued by church or Christian life when they see something provocative or attractive.
I would disagree…
I would say the people will only be intrigued by church or Christian life when they come face to face with their own sin and see the propitiation of Christ. It is not the provocative or the attractive that draws us to do church, but in the words of Spurgeon …
Salvation is of the Lord.
Jonah 2:9
SALVATION is the work of God. It is He alone who quickens the soul "dead in trespasses and sins," and it is He also who maintains the soul in its spiritual life. He is both "Alpha and Omega." "Salvation is of the Lord." If I am prayerful, God makes me prayerful; if I have graces, they are God's gifts to me; if I hold on in a consistent life, it is because He upholds me with His hand. I do nothing whatever towards my own preservation, except what God himself first does in me. Whatever I have, all my goodness, is of the Lord alone. Wherein I sin, that is my own; but wherein I act rightly, that is of God, wholly and completely. If I have repulsed a spiritual enemy, the Lord's strength nerved my arm. Do I live before men a consecrated life? It is not I, but Christ who liveth in me. Am I sanctified? I did not cleanse myself: God's Holy Spirit sanctifies me. Am I weaned from the world? I am weaned by God's chastisements sanctified to my good. Do I grow in knowledge? The great Instructor teaches me. All my jewels were fashioned by heavenly art. I find in God all that I want; but I find in myself nothing but sin and misery. "He only is my rock and my salvation." Do I feed on the Word? That Word would be no food for me unless the Lord made it food for my soul, and helped me to feed upon it. Do I live on the manna which comes down from heaven? What is that manna but Jesus Christ himself incarnate, whose body and whose blood I eat and drink? Am I continually receiving fresh increase of strength? Where do I gather my might? My help cometh from heaven's hills: without Jesus I can do nothing. As a branch cannot bring forth fruit except it abide in the vine, no more can I, except I abide in Him. What Jonah learned in the great deep, let me learn this morning in my closet: "Salvation is of the Lord."
I think you may have missed the point...it is just about being "provocative/or attractive"...but being so as we are set apart from Christ.
Too often those in the church..look exactly like those outside of the church...Similar beliefs..similar lifestyle..similar values etc...
We are to be set apart...set apart with the love of Christ, which impacts our lifestyle....our values..etc..
When the world sees a people of God truly different and changed by the Gospel...then they will hear what we have to say.
Bill
Then I would absolutely agree based on that explanation.
I have seen churches try to be “entertainingly provocative”, and I was disagreeing with the Hollywood style of entertaining at church. I would agree that provocation of difference because of Christ can be what brings a person to question their own life, and in the light of being set apart for the sake of the Gospel that we “show that we are his by the love we have for one another”. This can set us apart and be very provocative.
Then I give a resounding Amen!
Thank you for your response.
Nice video. We have become so spoiled as a country it is unbelievable. I read a book called "The Progress Paradox" that makes a similar point if you are interested. Thanks for taking the time to post it.
@Jeff Thanks for the book recommendation.
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