What Is The Purpose Of The Church? 5/6/45
Scripture: Isaiah 40: 1-10
Text: Isaiah 40: 9; “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!”
Now and then we are startled to realize how much more we need to know about some of the things we take most for granted. Ask a fifth grade boy, “What is an education?” Probably he can spell the word. He may reply, “Well, it means reading, and writing, and well, arithmetic - and - well -- all the things you learn in school!” Many an adult will struggle quite a bit over a more nearly complete definition of “education.” It is one of those words that means a perpetually growing concept.
What is “peace?” Well, peace is what we have when there isn’t any war or fighting. But what is “peace?” The minds of the most astute and expert of the world’s statesmen now in San Francisco are at present wrestling with the idea of peace - what it is, and how to build it and organize for it on an international, world-wide scale. As we think about peace for a while, we know that it means much more than just the absence of gunfire, bombs and blackouts.
What is “religion?” “Well, religion is something to interest people who like to go to church.” “It has to do with God and the way one believes.” These are some of the first answers that someone might make if the question were thrown at him without warning. It might take a bit of time to collect and frame the words and ideas one would like to use to make a better definition of what religion really is.
What is the “church?” O, a church is a place where people go to worship, to pray, to hear a sermon, to sing hymns. Well, is the church a place; - or a building - or an organization - or a fellowship; or, as some have said, an “organism.” Even a few moments of thought on the nature of a church will likely crowd one’s mind with some more adequate ideas as to what the church is - and leave room for much more thought on the subject. So it is good for us to raise questions like these now and again.
In connection with the church, I raise the question today as to “what is the purpose of the church?” What is its true task? Is it to organize people into a group like a good club? Is it to worship? If so, worship what or whom - and how? Is it to know, accept, and spread a gospel of some sort? What is the purpose of the church? Perhaps the exact words and ideas we want in order to express this purpose are a bit slow in coming. If so, I think we might dwell on the thought for a few minutes this morning with profit.
People are constantly making an estimate of the church and what they think it is and what they think it ought to be, or not to be. Not so many months ago, Eddie Cantor paused in the midst of the foolishness and fun of one of his radio broadcasts to tell how he had taken shelter from a sudden blast of stormy wind in the arched doorway of a large city church building. Then he went on to say how it set him to thinking; and actually to urge his radio listeners to go to church that week, and to continue going to church. With the strain, worry and work of war in all minds, he must have thought the church had a purpose and value of which people need to be aware and of which they should take advantage. Friends of the church promote the church; critics assail it. It is in the thinking of hosts of people.
I think many are listening for some authentic word which comes from the church of Christ. The criticisms that are leveled at the church, both from outside and from within its fold, are evidence that something is expected from the church.
What is expected?” Listen to these four opinions.
1) In the great industrial city of Detroit, there is organized a Religion and Labor Fellowship. Official representatives of the churches and of organized labor meet from time to time to discuss their mutual relationships. It is interesting to note that out of such discussions often comes the opinion of some labor leaders and some church leaders that the church ought to come out boldly as the champion of justice and righteousness. Well, is the church a spokesman for organized labor - or ought it to be?
2) A meeting of representatives of the National Association of Manufacturers issued an invitation for a series of dinner meetings at which the relation of church to business was to be discussed. To some, it appeared that the church is a stabilizing institution. It ought to come out boldly for the system of “free enterprise.” Its influence can be felt effectively in view of the emerging post-war situation. If the church will properly use its influence, the revolutionary currents in our society, which threaten to upset so many of our established ways, may be checked.
3) Then there was the case of a mission board of one of our sister denominations that was confronted with a government ruling. A priority had been sought for erecting a church building in a new section of a great and busy city. People had crowded in in great numbers. There were not enough church facilities to take care of their needs. Would it be possible to erect a church building in that part of town? Chapels are erected on Army posts - could not permission be given to build aa chapel for civilian factory workers?
The government official said “No.” “The church should not be considered for priority allotment because it is not contributing effectively to the war effort.” That is what he thought. And further, he seemed to feel that it ought to be supporting the all-out military effort of the government.
4) But listen to just one more voice. A certain religious leader, writing in a magazine, berates the churches in scathing terms for hesitancy in openly opposing war. He thinks the church ought to be against all war and to come out unequivocally for peace. If the church had truly proclaimed the gospel of peace and worked at it, we would not now be in the midst of world war.
Here, then, are four representative voices today on what should be the purpose of the church. “Here,” they say, “is what the church should be doing.” It looks as though the church should be a kind of “pressure group” to be used for the purposes that seem to be uppermost for the moment. But if the church is to be a promoter, which side shall it take on these issues? Can it go in all directions at once?
Of course the church ought to be on the right side. But is there a side that is completely right? Does not the fact that there are differences of opinion mean that the issues are debatable and that honest men are not agreed on just what is right? Just where shall the church stand?
It is obvious that this subject is too big for a few minutes of time, or a couple of paragraphs of treatment, or for one sermon or two sermons. The ablest minds of our time grapple with it and volumes are written about. But at least a few words can be said about it in this brief hour.
From our human point of view, the church is a fellowship of people united by a common devotion to Christ, and to his gospel. Because it is a fellowship of people, it is in this respect like a club. But there is this human difference. Most clubs are relatively short-lived in time. They may be tens or twenties of years old - but usually not centuries old.
The church, however has existed, and grown, for over 1900 years and shows no signs of immanent decline; - Herr Adolph Hitler to the contrary. Even the Kremlin has seen that.
From a spiritual point of view, the church represents something timeless, eternal. If this sounds ponderous it is because it is hard for me, as it may be for you, to express it in simple terms. But the church is the human witness to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit which forever works for righteousness, wholeness. There is therefore something divine about the church. It is more than human.
“O Zion, that bringest good tidings” says the ancient prophet Isaiah. The church is the custodian of a gospel; it is the bringer of good news.
Halford Luccock says that the difference between the early church and much of our modern age is found in two characteristic expressions. Some modern person says: “What is the world coming to!” But the early church said, “See what has come to the world!” It is good news of God’s power to save. It was brought clearly by Jesus, the Christ, and it is proclaimed by his followers. That is a secret of the church’s success in its earliest days. It simply brought the news of wholeness, of salvation, to a worn out, disillusioned, sinful world.
In the light of this reminder, what is the purpose of the church today?
1) First, we can say that it is to give perspective to human life. “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into a high mountain.” [Isaiah 40: 9]. Have you looked out over the Wisconsin countryside from the top of Rib Hill and seen not only Wausau, but away beyond up and down the Wisconsin Valley? Have you ever stood on the top of an island mountain and watched the sun rise from beyond a limitless horizon; seen the great ocean-going ships float in or out of harbor like tiny specks of driftwood; observed great fields laid out like the tiny orderly pieces of a daintily-made patchwork quilt; thought for a moment, “When I consider the work of Thy hand --- what is man that thou art mindful of him?” [Psalm 8: 3, 4].
Have you watched a man dab a little paint here, put a splash of color there; touch another spot beside it, wondering what he expected to accomplish - only to back away across the room and, from the distance, gain enough perspective to see the painting of an artist?
Harold Phillips tells of a letter received by a man in Cleveland from his nephew serving then with the marines at Guadalcanal. “Uncle,” he said, “write to me, and when you write be sure to tell me who is winning.” How could he tell, in the thick of his battle, who was “winning?” He had to rely on the eyes of his trusted uncle who could see from a greater distance with better perspective.
It is the purpose of the church to view living with perspective. Christian people have to jump into the details, the battles, the struggles of living and livelihood. But it ought always to be with the vision of the high mountain.
It is not too much for a minister and the deacons of a church to hope that every time a faithful congregation comes into the house of worship, harried souls shall dwell for precious moments on a mountain top, seeing the vision that shall help them put the details of their busy, struggling living, together in the right way. We need to hear the cry repeatedly, “Behold your God.” “Behold His ways.” For when we have beheld Him, we come out of our despair and futility into His wholeness.
2) A second purpose of the church is to give a courageous witness to its faith. “O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid.” [Isaiah 40: 9].
No one had to say of the ancient prophet, “Preacher be careful; you can’t say that just now! Better leave that subject alone and stick to what is safe.” The voice of fearful caution is not the authentic voice of the church.
Do you remember the words of Jesus in that discourse recorded by Luke on “wars and commotions;” nations rising against nations; earthquakes, famines and pestilences? And that his gallant words were: “When these things come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” [Luke 21: 28].
In a world where those who despair say, “Where is God now? What is God doing now?” it is the church’s witnessing privilege to say, “Behold your God.” God is not indifferent. God cares mightily. He is in this struggle. He is in your struggle. God is upholding the moral order of right. Mankind, individually and collectively may defy that order, but man cannot break it. Instead, he is broken on it. The heart of things is sound. God is unshaken. God is suffering, too; suffering with, and because of his children.
And he is a redeeming God, clearly shown in the character and steadfast life of the crucified Christ. Through our roads of pain He is helping us to understand that there is a better way. We do not need forever to hate and fight. There is a way of understanding, of community. Walk in it.
There is a redemptive power flowing from the anguish of the cross. Through it, the undefeated God meets us. “He shall not fail, nor be discouraged, till he set righteousness in the earth, and the isles shall wait for his law.” [Isaiah 42: 4].
Among the purposes of the church, then are these: (1) to give high and righteous perspective to all human life; and (2) to give courageous witness to the faith in an eternal, compassionate, unshakable God.
God of grace and God of glory,
On thy people pour Thy power -------
---Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
That we fail not man nor Thee.
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Delivered in Wisconsin Rapids, May 6, 1945