The Christian Community in a Hostile World

October, 2003

by: Jeff Jones

Once a year (it seems), I am afforded the opportunity to preach in the main Service. So, for this month's Calvary Review, I thought I'd remind you of some things from that sermon.

First, Christians live in a hostile world. As we saw in 1 Peter, Christians can surely expect to suffer for living a righteous life. The suffering we endure may be physical (as is true in some parts of the world), but most likely it will be verbal. Unbelievers will mock, insult, and revile us for not participating in the same unrighteous practices as them. Some unbelievers may even be shocked by this (cf. 1 Peter 4:4).

Second, Christians must realize that God will right all the wrongful suffering in this world. In 1 Peter, we are told to look to Christ as our example. He indeed suffered though innocent, but through it, God highly exalted him and condemned his enemies. Therefore, the road to exaltation for Christians is through suffering. As Christians, we know (and can be confident) that, in the end, God will vindicate those who suffer for the sake of righteousness and condemn those who live unrighteously (cf. 1 Peter 4:5), just as we see from Christ's example.

So, as we live in this hostile world, awaiting God to bring justice, where are Christians to turn? The answer: Christians are to turn to one another (cf. 1 Peter 4:7-11). Thirdly then, during our present trials, anticipating God's judgment, Christians must look to the community of believers. Christians are to get busy loving one another. Christians are to make the church a place of refuge in a world that disapproves of them. And the way Christians can make the church such a place is by responsibly serving one another through the use of spiritual gifts (cf. 1 Peter 4:10-11).

Let me ask you a (sort of long) question. Are you seeking to serve other believers here at Calvary through the use of your spiritual gift so our Christian community, which exists in a hostile world, will really be what God has called it to be, a community that prays (cf. 1 Peter 4:7-10), loves (4:8), demonstrates hospitality (4:9), and serves (4:10). You have a responsibility in these things… so do them.