A third century historian wrote these words about those who followed Jesus somewhere around the year 250.
“Christians cannot be distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language or custom. They do not separate themselves into cities of their own; they use no special language, nor do they follow an eccentric pattern of life.
Their doctrine, unlike that of many religious movements is not based on human ideas or philosophy.
Although they live in Greek or barbarian cities, depending on their place of birth and follow the usual customs of those cities, they never cease to witness to the reality of another city in which they live. Every foreign land is their fatherland and yet for them – every fatherland is a foreign land.
They marry like everyone else and beget children but do not expose their unwanted children to the elements as we do. They share their hospitality with each other but not their marriage beds. They obey the laws of the land-but in their own lives go far beyond all the law’s requirements.
They love all people, and by all people are – persecuted.
They are put to death and yet they are brought to life. They are poor but they make many rich; they are completely destitute and yet they enjoy complete abundance.
They are treated by Jews as foreigners and are hunted down by the Greeks and all the time those who hate them – find it impossible to justify their hatred.”
“To put it simply: What the soul is to the body, Christians are to the world.”
That was written right around the year 250.
What the original disciples started, those in the year 250 carried on.
What the historian saw back then – has been shown over and over again throughout the ages.
The world is a far better place for Jesus having walked this earth. And, the world is far better place for the disciples, and all who have followed them, having been here.
And yet we know, what we accomplish in our lifetime is only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise – that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is ever completely completed. There is always more to be done, more to accomplish.
No statement ever says – all that could be stated.
No prayer fully expresses our lives of faith.
No confession brings forth perfection.
No program accomplishes the church’s mission.
All we do and can ever do is to plant some seeds.
We can attempt to water some seeds that have already been planted – knowing that they hold future promise.
Any foundations we lay will require further development.
We can never do – all that needs to be done.
We cannot do everything – and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
Everything – pretty much is out of our hands…and we know it.
We are servants – each and every one of us. We are workers, the grunts if you will…
We are not the master builder. We are ministers – every member.
We are not the messiah.
In a very real sense we are prophets-of a future that is not our own.
We are here to help…to reach out and to hopefully –leave our little corner of the universe, better for our being here.
We are examples for people yet unborn.
We carry the weight of the world on our shoulders and yet our yoke is light.
The church that Jesus prayed for is always linked with all the generations of Christians that came before them.
We are indeed linked to the very first disciples and followers of Jesus…and each and every generation of believers that came after them.
We are to always reach higher…to try- one more time, to pray harder and never ever give up. We are to be a people of hope…ever hopeful…always confident-not in ourselves, but in our God who can accomplish all things…
Jesus prayed for those who would come after him…for those who would one day carry the banner…and pass the torch…and we must pray for them, as well.
Any sacrifices we make are little in comparison to the sacrifice that was made for us.
Go from this place and be the church – where you are!