The Bible says some incredible things about Christianity. Think about it:

Jesus said, “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12) He was speaking after he had turned water into wine, fed 5,000 people with 5 small loaves and 2 fish, walked on water, miraculously healed people, and even raised the dead! And we’re supposed to do greater things?!?! Would you say that this has been true in your life?

When He was talking about the church, Jesus said, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Apparently, the church of Jesus Christ will be marked by large numbers of people turning to Christ. Even in the darkest places, the church is going to be a transforming presence that changes lives, communities, and even the world. Would you say that this has been true in the churches you’ve been part of?

On a personal level, the Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) We can expect to be set free from the sins which we struggle with, and live a victorious Christian life. Would you say that this has been true in your life?

 

The “Normal” Christian Life

To be honest, I think many (most?) of us have settled for a “normal Christian life” that has very little in common with what the Bible describes. We often don’t expect God to be involved in our day-to-day lives in powerful ways. We don’t expect communities to be deeply impacted by the work of the local church. And we don’t expect most people to be “made new”. Or to be ”transformed”. Or to become effective ambassadors for the living God.

 

If you read the book of Acts, it seems as if the Christian life is supposed to be anything but “normal”. The life that Christ intended for each of us is a life marked by deep personal change, radical involvement in the needs of those around us, and a passionate love for people (even those who we find difficult to like).

 

A “Successful” Church

If we want Hope Community Church to be a nice, safe, “ordinary” church, filled with nice, safe, “normal” Christians, we’re likely to succeed. There are plenty of books, articles, and seminars. With a few dollars, a solid financial base, and attractive services, Hope Church will grow into a solid, healthy congregation.

We’ll attract some people, and people will come to know Christ. But not too many.
Christians will grow in their faith. But not enough to disrupt our lives and the lives of those around us.
We’ll support a few missionaries, but we won’t feel a real connection to what’s happening around the world.
Lowell will have another church, but the community around us won’t be substantially changed by our presence. I don’t know about you, but that sounds boring to me. It’s not “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). It’s not a vision that lights a fire in the soul.

 

I want something bigger. I think you probably do, too. Most importantly, GOD wants something bigger. We’re not talking about a bigger church. We are talking about a bigger, deeper impact. There is something in each of our hearts that desires to become everything that God had in mind when He made us. More importantly, the heart of God desires that. Jesus didn’t died a horrible death on the cross to bring reform. He did it to bring revolution.

 

I want to throw out a few questions. Our answer to these questions will largely define what Hope Community Church will become: