Different in Two Ways
Different
in Two Ways
What would change if the Spirit of God suddenly left our church? This terrifying question is posed by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop in their book, The Compelling Community. This is what happens in Ezekiel's while he is in exile in Babylon. God's presence departs from the temple in Jerusalem. For a Jew especially, this is a terrifying prospect. But the temple building is still there, the mercy seat in the holy of holies is still there. Could it be that all of the functions of Israelite worship could continue and no one would know whether God is present or not?
How do we know if God is present in our Sunday gatherings at via Bruno Serotini, 61? We have a great program, well ordered service, clean seats and PowerPoints. Something could be done about the semi-intelligible speaker, but overall its a decent set up. The business next to us has state-of-the art projections and operates a business program that recruits salesmen and sells products. However, I venture to guess that they do not assert that God is present among them and that He is their greatest desire. (In their defense, I've not asked them if God is their central motivation, maybe I should ask...).
We are different though, right?
Dever and Dunlop direct their readers to Luke 7 and draw two distinguishing markers of the supernatural community. A supernatural community being where God is present, working, saving, and transforming lives in a way that diverts from the natural inclinations and patterns of our sinful hearts. In Luke 7, Jesus' feet are washed by a 'sinful' woman while he is in the home of Simon the Pharisee. Simon is shocked at this, to which Jesus says, "...her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” - Luke 7:47
Supernatural forgiveness. The community of God, where he is present is consciously aware and growing in its awareness of its sinfulness. Proximity to the holy God only reveals how unholy we have been/are/will be until Christ returns. God, in Jesus Christ, takes our sin on himself and clothes us with his righteousness. Being made right in his presence, now clothed in his righteousness, forgiven, we are supernaturally enabled to forgive one another.
Supernatural love. The community of God, therefore, in light of their forgiveness loves others. Dever and Dunlop put it this way, "The people in our churches...understand the seeming absurdity-and yet reality-of forgiveness in Christ. That spark burns into love for God which in turn creates love for others."
God present among his people goes well beyond physical buildings, organizational structures, operating budgets and marketing. In fact, just as we can have all of those things, yet God be absent, so we could have none of those things but God be present and the church would very much exist!
Concluding their chapter on supernatural community that is given by God, Dever and Dunlop give two guiding principles.
Regeneration Precedes Community: The gospel preached, understood and believed creates repentant hearts that trade sin for the cross of Jesus. As the Spirit leads us to do this very thing, may we submit to his work of making us new in Jesus. God's presence among us does this work of regeneration. It's in this corporate humbling and trusting that we grow together into a community of God.
Theology Precedes Practice: Centering on sound doctrine that exalts the crucified Savior above all else reveals God's presence among us as it is he who reveals the cross to be the wisdom of God. We set the Scriptures before us as God's guiding light unto Christ our life. The more we all know his Word, the greater our joy in him and are ability to minister the Lord's grace to one another.
By God's grace, I believe this is the path we are on: enjoying God's presence among us as he forms his church in Rome.
In Him,
Loren
The Compelling Community (9Marks) by Mark Dever & Jamie Dunlop (15-May-2015) Paperback. (n.d.). Crossway; First edition (15 May 2015). Ch. 2