God's Wonderful People

Lanny Wolfe penned a song in the 1970's called "God's Wonderful People." Part of the lyrics say, "There's no place I'd rather be, than with the ones who've been set free, I'm so glad I'm in God's great big family." It's not the language of Shakespeare, but the sentiment is one I share. Sunday evening at the annual meeting of our church, each ministry presented their report for the fiscal year which ended June 30. We celebrated a good year of effective service done in the name of Jesus, our Lord. What really touched my heart was the amount of work that a relatively small group of people accomplishes! Thousands of dollars and thousands of hours of service are invested by those who volunteer - teaching classes, mowing the lawns, leading worship, doing community service - to build the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Yes, our church is a big family, in every sense of the word. We care about each other, pray for each other, and work together. And, we bicker and squabble and criticize, too! I don't want to create a false picture as though we've established utopia in Washington, NJ. But, we are drawn together by a shared vision of a different world that is possible because of the Good News of Jesus Christ. That shared love for the Lord and a common vision produces a community that actually works - God's wonderful people- "the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—" (1 Peter 2:9, The Message)

At the beginning of the year, I preached a series of messages to define the kind of people that I believe God wants us to be.

First of all, God wants His people to be real- Authentic. It's not for this congregation to embrace a superficial religiosity that is a thin veneer laid over top of unchanged lives. Integrity is our desire. We pray that the Holy Spirit will disturb us, pulling us from apathy.

Second, we believe that God wants us to be loving - Accepting. Our love will not be feigned, nor will it thrive just in rhetoric. We will pray for a love like that of Jesus - sacrificial and deep.

Third, our community is committed to the work of encouraging growth- Accelerating. It is not part of our culture here to be content with yesterday's success. We are not threatened by excellence, nor are we so in love with tradition that we resist innovation.

Yes, the annual meeting, far from being just a recitation of stats and figures, was a celebration of service done for the glory of God. Much remains to be done! Jesus challenges those who follow Him to "go and tell the Good News." We go out as teachers, warriors (with weapons of love!) that defeat evil, and servants to all.

Are you part of His wonderful people?
If not, join up today. Membership comes through faith in Christ, our King.

The Bible says, "you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians—you are one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you." (Galatians 3:26-29, NLT)
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Do you hear them coming brother,
Thronging up the steeps of light,
Clad in glorious shining garments,
Blood washed garments pure and white?

'Tis a glorious church, Without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb;
'Tis a glorious church, Without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Do you hear the stirring anthems
Filling all the earth and sky?
'Tis a grand, victorious army,
Lift its banner up on high!

Never fear the clouds of sorrow,
Never fear the storms of sin.
We shall triumph on the morrow,
Even now our joys begin.

Wave the banner, shout His praises,
For our victory is nigh!
We shall join our conqu'ring Savior,
We shall reign with Him on high!

-- A Glorious Church Hudson, Ralph E.CCLI Administration Account© Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055