Who do people say that we are?

"The wrong question for the church is, How many people are present.  The right question is What are these people like?"

Quoted from Rethinking Church, James White

Jesus asked his followers the question, "Who do people say that I am?" (Mark 8:27)

Jesus was asking a deeper question than I will ask.  He always does. 

This was not an insecure poll to find out what Jerusalem's TMZ was saying about him.  He really didn't ask the question for his insight.  Jesus was dusting the junk off the spirits of the disciples that had been placed there by people who didn't know who He was. 

Who do people say that we are?  The answer for Jesus involved the sins of the world.  The answer for us - not so much.

But, it's not an insignificant question, Who do people say that we are?

Your name is a copout answer.  "People say I'm Dave."

Church people should "be" something.  They should be able to be described.  They should be able to have characteristics that are identifiable and attachable to the One they serve.  

It may surprise you, but I'm not looking for the word "holy" here.  "Everyone in that church is holy."

If we don't have people in the church who are not "holy" yet, we are not being obedient to the call of the One who makes us holy.  

What are we like?  

I'm somewhat fond of the thought of changing.  If we aren't being changed we aren't getting to the point of our need.  I want to be a church of changers, a church of growers.  People who are being transformed from whatever we were to whatever He called us to.

Everyone, even people who haven't crossed the faith line yet, can be changing so they are closer to Christ.  That's what happens when you gather where Jesus shows up - you change.

Growing,

Pastor Dave