Title: Luke 19:10 The church is salvation
Content Luke 19:10, John 10:10
The most important purpose of the church's existence is to seek and save lost souls. The church and the saints must not forget this purpose and mission and wander around.
The church is not a cruise ship. Cruise ships carry tourists and float on the sea, lake or river. Passengers eat, drink, enjoy, talk and excite with the pleasures of the world on board. Many churches focus on human fellowship, worldly fellowship, and events. Outside the ship, only the cruise ship passengers enjoy the party, even though the lost souls cries for their lives and reaches out their hands.
The church is not a merchant ship. A merchant ship is a ship that makes large ships to make money and transports various goods for commercial purposes. Many churches yearn for large-scale and modernization, and preach department store-style events and programs.
The church is not a battleship. A battleship is a ship that is armed for war or to fight in war. Armed with powerful engines, intrepid soldiers and the latest weapons. Martin Luther described the church as 'The Militant Church in a spiritual battle'. Yes. But the church is neither an army nor a warship. It is not a Para-Church that fosters Christian soldiers by giving young people catechesis, discipleship training, short-term missionary training, and leadership training. The church is not a place where only strong, young blood work. Pregnant women and children, as well as adolescent rebels, hot-blooded young men, middle-aged wrestling with work and society, gray-haired old people, the sick, and the disabled are all members of the Church's family.
If the church blows a whistle like the church treats soldiers and pushes these diverse saints to achieve their goals, the church collapses from breathlessness and exhaustion. This church is a battleship.
The church is not even a relief aid. A relief ship is a beautiful ship filled with love, carrying food, fertilizer and clothing aid to poor and disaster-stricken countries. Many churches work like social welfare organizations with human rights, welfare, and poverty relief programs. I will risk my life for the political, social and economic human rights of the world rather than ultimate concerns such as saving souls, worship, and godly living
So, what kind of ship is the church? The church is the line of salvation. All the concerns of Jesus' life and ministry on earth are summarized in one verse: 'For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost' (Luke 19:10). The appearance of suffering in a human body, the ministry of the Word, and the death and resurrection of the cross are all expressions of love that rescues lost souls and makes them children of God.
The church of Jesus and his disciples, the saints of the early church, Paul and Barnabas and all the ministers was the line of salvation. This is also the work of the church today.
We must have the heart of Jesus Christ and put our best efforts into saving lost souls. Let's set sail the ship of salvation with the heart of God's love that Jesus sent (Romans 5:8).