Daily Dose of the Word of God - Beyond Suday Ep. 109

Jeff Klein

Transcript

Jeff Klein  0:06  

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose in the Word of God. It's Monday, January 5. This is Jeff Klein reminding you to take your faith beyond Sunday and into the week.

Jeff Klein 0:18  

On my trip to Israel several years ago, our teacher took us to an ancient ruined city, pointing out the thick walls which were designed to protect those within. In the midst of those huge walls was a city gate, the main entrance that connected life outside the walls to life within the walls. For many who lived in the outlying areas, the city gate was as far as they'd go. There really was no need to venture farther, because the city gate was more than just a gate - it was literally the town square and hub that connected outsiders with insiders. Each city gate grew and flourished into active and alive centers where the haves and the haves not have nots intersected. The city gate was even the place where strangers knew they could find hospitality from the elders of a city. Think of the story of lot in Genesis 19: he is sitting at the city gate and brings the strangers (who turn out to be angels) into his home, provides for them and protects them. I can't help but wonder if the church is supposed to function just like these city gates. It makes me wonder about what a church building could be. What if, instead of just a place to run church programs, we used our building throughout the week to be a city gate to our community? A place where the haves and the have nots intersect so that the love of Jesus touches those around us - that includes the have nots and resources and the have nots spiritually. Do people think of our church as a place to go if they need help? Do they even know that the building West of Elmhurst Hospital is another place to find healing and hope? How can we embrace being a city gate for Elmhurst and the surrounding communities? Let's dream about it together.

Jeff Klein 2:07  

Let's pray. Lord Jesus, give us a vision for how we could use our building, our church building, our facility as a city gate for DuPage County and beyond. Give us a picture of how you'd ask us to move in this way. In your name Jesus we pray, amen.