FOM Notes

No God In Our Community

Part 2 of 4 in the series “Vacated”

June 14, 2009 Pastor Scott Oldenburgh

CAN YOU IMAGINE A COMMUNITY WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF GOD?

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”

Judges 17:6

ž No sense of lasting (values)

ž No (moral) conscience

ž No (genuine) relationships

ž No glimpses of (hope), love, or (grace)

ž No thought of the (eternal) consequences

ž No example or guide through the (darkness)

Reality:

God’s presence in the community is best revealed through the (church)

“Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, which is the church.”

Colossians 1:24

WHAT PEOPLE TEND TO THINK ABOUT THE CHURCH

Å I can experience God’s presence (without) a church

Å The church is just a religious (crutch) to keep people under control

Å The church is just an attempt to get (money) out of people

Å Church is just a place where people have to (act) like they like everyone to make God happy

WHEN CHURCH IS DONE RIGHT . . .

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:13-16

P The church is a (reminder) of God’s presence in the local community

P The church is the (spokesman) for eternal values

P The church is the (sanctuary) of moral conscience

P The church is a (demonstration) of genuine love, hope, and grace

P The church is a (streetlight) in a dark alley