The Hope of the World

In your world, what is your hope?

Is it your career?  Your country?  Your family?  Your spouse?  Your children?  Yourself?  Do what hope do you - we - hang our hats?  

Many times, I've said and believed:  "the local church is the hope of the world."  That phrase is not new.  It was actually stated in a sermon by Charles Spurgeon in the late 19th century in London.  Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Church outside Chicago, says it often in his sermons and leadership talks.  Many pastors believe it and recite it now.  

 I love the saying, yet I would offer a slight tweak to it at this point in ministry and my Christian walk.  It would be this:  "The Gospel of Jesus Christ, through the local church, is the hope of the world."

Without Jesus, there is no church.  Without His Gospel:  of God's love for us in Christ, His death and resurrection, forgiving us of our sin and living with God by the Holy Spirit - no church can offer hope.  With this Gospel, individual lives, families, marriages, nations and the world can - and ultimately will with His Return - change.  

We have been talking the last few weeks of "What is Bellwether?"  We have seen the church is both Jesus (His Body) and His Church (His Bride).  We will be closing this series tomorrow with Part 4 - "Give & Go."  More so, we will proclaim and see how:   The Gospel of Jesus Christ, through the local church, is the hope of the world.  That means it is hope for YOU individually.  We hope you will believe it.

Have a great day, and we look forward to seeing you at His Church. 

Our Scripture reading will be in Acts 2, 2 Corinthians 8-9, and 1 Corinthians 9