We are a forgetful people in a land of distractions. Our minds are easily captivated by trivial and temporary inducements. New things quickly become old. In our mind’s eye even glory tends to fade and warnings tend to wane. It is no wonder that we who are invisibly united to Christ and visibly in and not of this world live in constant need of renewal. And what is true for the Christian is true for the church. This is a series that seeks to renew the mind of the church. Not so much by reviewing what she is called to do as much as what she is called. As with the Christian so with church, her God-given identity defines her. We who are the church are a people for God and none other.
Before we return to the book of Romans, we will be looking at the what scripture says about the Church, in its nature, how she expresses herself in song, and how the church cares and equips for its members.
The messages from this series can be found here:
Manny Pereira - January 26, 2020
Defining Greatness
The manifesting of the Messiah has come with scandalous surprise–many will stumble in unbelief. Why? Essentially because the Holy One has come as the Humble One. Though unwavering in truth, majesty is veiled in humility. Here, appearances are contrary to reality. The prophet Isaiah foretold the scenario centuries earlier: “Who has believed what he has heard from us? … He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:2-3). So great is this scandalous surprise, the messenger himself questions the message—the pointer the One to whom he points. In this passage, Jesus masterfully redirects questioning hearts to unseen glory. He validates the voice that cried in the wilderness while calling for even greater clarity among His hearers. In the end we discover that it is not about John, but Jesus. Jesus is here upholding John not for John’s sake but for His own glory.
Scripture References: Matthew 11:7-15
