Dear Union Church,
God is not only better than what we think. God is more beautiful than we can ever imagine. “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord” (Psalm 27:4). “God has made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6).
Those two verses are not only amazing to me, but I believe they serve as the rallying cry for our church as we gather back together for this next new season of life and ministry. Because not only is God beautiful in and of himself, but he also imparts something of his beauty to us, his people. “And we, who with unveiled faces, all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory” (II Corinthians 3:18). “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17; KJV). This is amazing news, is it not? That means that as we earnestly seek him, God is pleased to place some of his own beauty and attractiveness upon us. Let me ask you--- is there no greater privilege in life than this? So as we think about this next new season, how would the beauty of the Lord be made visible at Union Church? I can think of at least three ways.
One, a beautiful message. The gospel is not only the power of God; it is the beauty of God. Is there anything in the universe more winsome and heart-melting than the dying love of Jesus Christ for sinners like you and me? But that is our message! Our message is not all the wonderful things we do for God, but rather what he has done for us through the finished work of Christ on the cross. The high cost of his sacrifice, our own unworthiness, the eternal success of his purpose--- These are the truths that continually melt us like no others can. God has put a beautiful message into our mouths and hearts. Therefore, let us think and talk more and more about the gospel and less and less about anything else — more than this ongoing pandemic, more than politics, more than mask-or-not-to-mask? Yes— even more than football! Let us never be ashamed of talking about the gospel and making a big deal about it.
Two, beautiful worship. The Bible says that those who worship idols become like the idols they make (Psalm 115:8). The idols have mouths but cannot speak, eyes that can’t see, and so on. Idols are a fraud, and they defraud us. They claim everything but turn around and give nothing. They make demands but they never forgive. But how different is the One we worship. He is the greatest Giver in the universe. In turning to him, we are immeasurably enriched forever. Who has ever attended a worship service, genuinely found and experienced Christ in that worship, and then walked away unfulfilled? It has never happened, and it never will happen. Engaging with Jesus Christ in joy, and service and surrender fills up our sails. He dignifies and lifts us up at every level, every time. God has given us a beautiful privilege in weekly worship. If we are to be renewed in this next season of life and ministry, we will love coming to worship. We will show up with a joyful expectancy that not only is He already here, but that He is ready to transform our lives into something beautiful. We will expect to encounter the beautiful Lord and be changed from the inside-out.
Three, beautiful relationships. It is in the concrete realties of our life together (the good and bad) that the beauty of the Lord becomes most convincing. Jesus said, “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). So, how has Jesus loved us? If his love is the standard, how has he loved us? Well, he died for us. He remains patient with us. He forgives us. He defends us. He gives us more than we know. Even so, this is how we are to love one another--- even to the point of dying for one another! It’s an astonishing, sacred thought. But that love is so beautiful in this unloving world that “by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:25). Therefore, if Christ has shown us the beauty of his love and commanded us to follow him there, then we will aspire to it, and with self-forgetting devotion we will endeavor to build such beautiful relationship in the days to come.
Now, if I sound overly optimistic about all of this, then I readily admit to you--- I am. I am because I also see in Jesus a beautiful hope for the future. In fact, I have no other option but hope. Like the prophets of the Old Testament my vision of Christ and the future of his people is one of victory, hope and promise. What does Isaiah see as the future for God’s people? “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst forth in song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands…This is will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign that will not be destroyed” (Isaiah 55:12,13). This is the kind of church and world I long for! This is what Christ has promised, and Christ himself will accomplish it. So we look to him as our glad hope in the day of uncertainty. Whatever happens though, the end of the story will be beautiful, and all who love the Lord and seek his beautiful face will be part of it. This prophetic hope brings energy and sparkle to my eyes and a spring back in my steps as we move forward into the fall. I hope that in thinking of these things it does yours too.
“Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us” in our message, our worship, our relationships and our hope for the future. And let us together have a blessed and glorious new ministry year and beyond!
Billy
P.S. Twoopportunities this fall for growth and service:
Women’s Growth Group:
Have Serious Fun: And 12 Other Principles to Make Each Day Count, by Jim Burns. This group will be meeting the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the Nobel House, beginning September 21st at 7p.m. If you are interested in participating please contact Ashley Reeves in the church office. Also, please purchase your book prior to the first meeting. Deadline to register is September 19th.
Missions and Outreach Kickoff:
Sunday the 26th at Noon, the Missions and Outreach Team will be gathering in Fellowship Hall after the church service. This is a great opportunity for you to join the team and get involved! We have several opportunities to serve this fall, so please join us for one of these opportunities and/or join us for this meeting.
