“Renovation Reflections”

“If you build it, he will come.”  

Most of you would recognize this as the famous line from the cult classic baseball film, Field of Dreams.  Some have adapted a similar saying in the church:  “If you build it, they will come.”  That is, if you build a building, or in our case, make renovations to our building, new people will start showing up mysteriously just as Ray Kinsella’s deceased father and all those old-time baseball players did in Field of Dreams.

While the movie enjoyed a major run and continues to be a big hit, the belief in church, “If you build it, they will come,” would be an egregious error.  (Puns shamefully intended.) 

I am so grateful to God for these renovations.  For Virginia, for Fred Smalling, for all the project managers, give praise and thanks to God!  However, there’s only one way people will come and enjoy our newly renovated sanctuary with us:  only if the people of God go.  Go and invite.

Jesus promised that he would build the church.  The gates of hell will not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)  St. Paul’s is His church.  Our job is simple:  love God, love people, and make disciples.  (Matthew 22:37, 39; 28:19-20)

One mark of a disciple is someone who invites constantly.  We see this early on in John’s Gospel when Philip invites Nathanael to “Come and see” Jesus.  (John 1:46)

According to one research report "82% of the unchurched are likely to attend church if invited…yet only 2% of church members invite." (LifeWay Research, http://backtochurch.com/participate) 

In other words, “If you invite them, they will come.”  As 2011 comes to a close, think back over the last 11 months.  Did you invite anyone to worship with you? Are you part of the 98%?  All it takes is three words:  “Come and see.”

Jesus made a promise:  “when I am lifted up from the earth, [I] will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32 ESV)  My responsibility is to help people see that the Son of Man is lifted up.  Our job together is to invite people to come and see.

The baseball season is long gone.  The Advent season is just beginning.  The theme of the season is not limited to “He will come.”  It celebrates the reality that He has come.  Therefore, it’s not just buildings that are being renovated.   Revelation 21:5 says, “Behold, I am making all things new.”  Because he has come the first time, he has already made you new.  He has given us a new heart with a new life and a new lease on life.  And because of Jesus—his life, death, and resurrection--He will renovate the whole earth so that the kingdoms of this world will be renovated to be the kingdom of our God.

This is the renovation worth showing off.  And so, my challenge to us in this coming year is to enact this renovation of the heart, by inviting more constantly.

Lord, help us your believers become disciples who:  love unconditionally; listen compassionately; speak truthfully; act justly; endure patiently; forgive mercifully; give generously; serve selflessly; invite constantly; pray fervently; witness unashamedly; and live worthily.  

God be with you all as you seek to grow in your love for and obedience to Jesus!

Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas,

Pastor Charlie