Why Real Life?

In our ministry, we talk a lot about real life. Our church, River City Community Church, is called “A Church for Real Life.” Our school, River City Believers Academy is…you guessed it, “A School for Real Life.” What is it about real life that we find so compelling? Actually...let me rephrase that. What is it about real life that people find so compelling?

I can’t tell you how many people have shared with me that they came to our fellowship simply because they heard, or saw, that little tag line; almost like weary travelers tired of the artificial, the empty…done with the pretending and posturing…fed up with the show.

Simply looking for something.

Something real.

Real life.

I remember that feeling. I was a youth pastor in a church at the time. It wasn’t a bad church, but it felt like, much of the time, we were just going through the motions. The power and life that I read from the pages of scripture, or that I’d heard shared from so many of the great saints of the past, was simply not what I saw and experienced. And frankly, I wanted that. I wanted the real deal!

One day I was reading in John 10, and when I came to verse 10 it struck me in a different way than it had before. Jesus was speaking and He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (ESV) That word translated “abundantly” means full, extravagant, more than normal, and it resonated with my hunger for “the real deal!” I felt like Jesus was speaking directly to my desire. It was as though He was saying, “Yep, I want you to experience full, real, abundant life, as well. In fact, I gave my life so you could find yours…what are you waiting for?”

That little encounter changed my life.

And that was God’s plan the whole time. Real life.

Jesus came, lived, and sacrificed His life on a cross so that you and I could experience the vibrant, full, real life that God designed us for. When you think about it, to settle for anything less would be to dishonor and squander the sacrifice He made on our behalf!

A word of encouragement…

That hunger and desire you have for something real is from our Heavenly Father. Stop ignoring it! If you ask Him, He will begin to show you the path to real life. It will always be the path of following Jesus and the only question is will you say “yes.”

Real life is not just a church thing; it’s a life thing.

Charleston - The Horror of Hatred

I don’t even know how to accurately describe my feelings right now. I guess “grieved” sums it up best…deeply grieved. Yesterday in Charleston, South Carolina, a gunman entered a peaceful church gathered for Wednesday night prayer meeting, sat in the congregation for a good part of the service, and then rose to shoot 9, peaceful people in cold blood. I’m stunned at the cruel, dark, hate that must reside deep in the heart of the shooter. Evil…this is pure evil on display for all to see.

As a pastor, I can’t help but identify with this congregation. My heart goes out to the families of those killed, and to this congregation who lost their pastor along with 8 other brothers and sisters. The fact that this was apparently racially motived adds another layer to the fear and horror that this congregation must be experiencing. There was no reason, no issue…no conflict that led to this killing. No, they just happened to be a black church.

I want to write this off as the horrible, random acts of a lunatic…but I can’t. This was most likely a hatred that had been fed and fostered over a lifetime, culminating in one final act of violence and desecration.

What am I supposed to do with what I feel? I refuse to listen to the crass and callous posturing of those who would try to politicize this issue to further their agenda. I recommend you tune them out, as well. No…my heart is drawn to pray…for the Emanuel AME church, the city of Charleston, and for our nation. I pray for comfort and healing, and for God’s incomparable peace to guard our hearts and minds. It’s also an opportunity for us to take an honest and prayerful look within, and let the Spirit of God reveal any seeds of hatred that might take root.

While we are tempted to look away from the unfolding tragedy in Charleston, we mustn’t. No, we need to take in every detail, because this is where hate ultimately leads. What we are seeing is the mature fruit of hatred on full display. Jesus said if we hate, it is like we are committing murder in our hearts! The answer to hatred is never more hatred, but love. I would caution each of us...don’t let righteous anger, or even a healthy desire for justice, become a façade for hidden hatred. Lord, we pray for peace in Charleston and in America. And Lord, may you bring Your peace to our hearts. Amen.

Compelled by Real Faith!

I’m in Indiana this morning for some meetings with the General Oversight Council of our fellowship of churches, the Missionary Church. It’s raining here, just like it was when I left San Antonio on Wednesday afternoon! But, I’m not sure they appreciate the rain as much as we do. Scarcity seems to give you a deeper appreciation for things.
 
Real faith is kind of like that. It is an all too rare and beautiful thing to behold! This weekend, I’ll share about the powerful impact that real faith has on those around us! In a world that doesn’t believe, real faith stands out. It is inspiring and life transforming. You don’t want to miss this weekend!
 
Please join me in praying for a move of God’s Spirit as we gather together this weekend.
 
For the One Hope,
 
Sean