Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Hope of Heaven
One of our local radio stations, an all talk call in station, had an interesting and sometimes sad topic this morning.
The topic was "Is The Church Still Relevant Today" The background was twenty some churches that have closed in the Ottawa area due to sagging attendance and general dis-interest in things spiritual. Some of the calls this morning were particularly disheartening. Unfortunately many callers spoke of having been burned or hurt in some way by "The Church". And of course there were the usual "they only want my money calls". One caller pointed out that he didn't go to church, didn't believe in it, but that didn't mean he wasn't a Christian. In theory of course he is correct. But you are left wondering how strong is his commitment if he doesn't have a desire to go to church.
Coming on the heels of two, what I would term triumphant and victorious funeral services, I was left wondering what a non Christian funeral would be like? Without the hope of being united with God and the hope of being reunited with family and friends, how hollow a funeral service like that must be.
At both the funeral of my Mother (two weeks ago) and the funeral of my father in law (only days ago) the hope of life beyond the grave was something to cling to. The music, the testimonials and all were so uplifting. Although I am far from perfect, I was left wondering how can there be any doubt? And if you don't believe what are you left with?
So is the church still relevant today? I believe it is and always will be. In the very early days the church was referred to as
"The Mother". Why? Because in many cases it is our Mothers who taught us about Jesus and instilled early values in us.
Is that relevant for the Church to do so today? I would suggest even more so. And if you want to go even further back, shall we say to the very beginning the Church was referred to as "The Bride of Christ" Are brides still relevant today? I would suggest they are. Many brides have remained faithful even when their husbands were not faithful to them. In the same way God remains faithful even to those who doubt him.
Through the ages, God has used the church to keep alive and pass down the story of what Christ has done for us. It is the church's witness that has kept the world aware that Christ is alive today, offering help and strength to those who trust in him. The story of Christ would have been lost during the Dark Ages if the church had not sustained it in monasteries where the Scriptures were laboriously hand-copied while barbarians were tearing down the rest of Western civilization. Church councils have protected Christianity from heresies by examining new theologies. Today, it is against two thousand years of church tradition that our modern-day interpretations of Scripture are tested. In short, it is the church that has preserved the Gospel and delivered it into our hands.
Again I look back at the two recent funerals. One of the things that impressed me the most was the number of young people
(Grandchildren and their children) that attended and how these young people on both sides of my family have turned out.
These young people were handed down a legacy from their now deceased Grandparents not only of things eternal but also
of things not eternal) I learned the value of working hard from my Father and I know that has been passed on to my children.
But more important than that is the Christian heritage that has been passed on to all these grandchildren who now will pass
on to theirs and on it goes.
The question the talk show host asked "Is the Church Still Relevant Today? I would answer is heaven still relevant today?
Yes it is and it always shall be and I thank God for a Christian heritage passed down from my wife's parents and grandparents and from my parents and grandparents. That is still relevant today and so is the church and the hope of heaven.
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