{"id":164,"date":"2007-09-12T03:01:11","date_gmt":"2007-09-12T03:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2007\/09\/sent-as-a-community-of-the-good-news-part-2.html"},"modified":"2007-09-12T03:01:11","modified_gmt":"2007-09-12T03:01:11","slug":"sent-as-a-community-of-the-good-news-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2007\/09\/sent-as-a-community-of-the-good-news-part-2.html","title":{"rendered":"Sent as a Community of the Good News, Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 15 of series: The Mission of God and the Missional Church<\/em>
\nPermalink for this post<\/a> \/ Permalink for this series<\/a>
\nIn my last post I began talking about how we are sent as a community of the good news to join in the mission of God in the world. I said that our corporate sending is important because: first, we get our training and support from our Christian community, and, second, many aspects of Christian mission cannot be accomplished by individuals working along.
\nA third reason why we’re sent as a community is this: so that our corporate life will be a vivid demonstration of the gospel. God intends to show all creation Hiw plan for cosmic reconciliation through the reconciled body of believers in Jesus (Eph 3:9-11). In a world so filled with hatred and vengefulness, our mutual forgiveness will announce the presence of God’s reign. When people see our love for each other, they will see Jesus . . . assuming, of course, that we are in fact loving one another! Sadly, our relationships within the church do not always reflect the reconciling work of God. But when they do, the good news shines forth as a light in the world, drawing people to Jesus as a lantern draws moths at night.
\nI am reminded of another story from my days in college. I was actively involved in the Harvard-Radcliffe Christian Fellowship, an inter-denominational student group on campus. During my senior year, a freshman named Tom joined our fellowship. Before too long, Tom found himself in the midst of an excruciating faith crisis. Try as he might, he just couldn’t get beyond many intellectual doubts and questions. With his heart, Tom still loved the Lord. But his mind told him that his faith was nonsense. He anguished over the split between his head and heart, crying out to God for help. Wisely, he also called out to some of us whom he knew in the fellowship. We began to spend countless hours with Tom, discussing his doubts, pursuing his problems. Though the outcome often seemed bleak, we kept on walking alongside of him in love. And we kept on praying in hope that God would affirm his existence and love to Tom. (Photo to the right: Harvard Yard in winter)
\nAfter many months and innumerable discussions, our prayers began to be answered. Tom found resolution for his theological queries. His heart felt God’s love, especially as it came in the form of patience from his brothers in Christ. By the end of his freshman year, Tom not only remained a Christian, but his experience of intimate fellowship with God and God’s people had grown to new depths.
\nBut that’s not the whole story. Tom’s childhood friend, Liz, also walked with him through his year of anguish. Liz was not a Christian, but she did care profoundly for her friend. Sometimes she was present during the marathon discussions we had with Tom about his theological struggles. As the year drew to a close and Tom reaffirmed his faith in Christ, Liz made a most unexpected confession to him.
\n“Tom,” she said, “I think I believe in Jesus too.”
\n“Really?” Tom exclaimed. “How did it happen? What made the difference? Did the arguments that helped me also help you?”
\n“To tell you the truth,” Liz admitted, “the arguments and the ideas mattered only a little. Your friends did help me to understand what it means to be a Christian, something I never really got before. But it wasn’t their arguments that touched my heart, Tom. It was their love for you. They sat there with you night after night. They showed you more patience than you deserved. The more I saw their love, the more I began to believe in the love of God. What they said about Jesus began to make sense to me. That’s why I believe in Jesus.”
\nHmmm . . . . wasn’t it Jesus who said our love for each other would prove to the world that we are his disciples?
\nNeedless to say, to be a part of God’s sent people, you need to join with a community of Christians. Not only is your fellowship with other believers necessary for your own discipleship, but it will draw non-believers to Jesus like a magnet. In a world fraught with alienation and individualism, a community of reconciled Christians shines forth like a searchlight upon God’s offer of reconciliation through Christ. Our fellowship together becomes perhaps the most important enactment of the good news, that which demonstrates the success of God’s mission. Through Jesus Christ, God has healed the breach caused by sin. He has reconciled us to himself and to each other, while entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. We are ambassadors of Christ together, sent into the world to deliver and to embody this good news (2 Cor 5:16-21).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part 15 of series: The Mission of God and the Missional Church Permalink for this post \/ Permalink for this series In my last post I began talking about how we are sent as a community of the good news to join in the mission of God in the world. I said that our corporate…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mission"],"yoast_head":"\nSent as a Community of the Good News, Part 2 - Mark D. 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Roberts","description":"Mark D. Roberts: Thoughtfully Christian Reflections on Jesus, the Church, and the World","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/1ff094a57b7e41f534434b1723df3d73","name":"Mark D. Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}