The Church Scattered
By Wayne Williams --
Well, these are certainly historic days we are living through! This COVID-19 crisis is more world-wide than either of the world wars of the last century. Our grandchildren will be telling their grandchildren about it. But would you mind terribly if I didn’t say too much more about the coronavirus in this blog? I’d really like to think about something else for a few minutes. Can I distract you from it for a bit with a few words about our next sermon series?
Pastor Greg is going to take us through the book of James for the next seven weeks. He’s given this series the title, “All Day, Every Day,” because James encourages and exhorts us to live faithfully and consistently by the teachings of our King, Jesus.
James, the younger brother of Jesus, was the first pastor of the first church, the church in Jerusalem. Within the first 10 or 15 years of the church, a great persecution began with the martyrdom of deacon Stephen. Most of the Christians, many thousands of them, were driven out of Jerusalem, scattered into the surrounding regions and countries.
For at least a while, they lived like refugees in a foreign territory, away from their homes, out of their routines, out of work, and missing the strong support and teaching they had known in their home church in Jerusalem. So, good shepherd that he was, Pastor James wrote this letter to his former parishioners to encourage, exhort, and admonish them to continue living for Jesus in their new and difficult circumstances. History says that at least most of them did.
The intent of the persecution had been to stamp out the Jesus movement, but the actual result was the spread of the movement far beyond the city of Jerusalem. It was like pouring water on a grease fire. Hot beds of faith in Jesus burst into flame all around the Middle East. Pastor James’ letter was at least part of the reason that happened.
We are certainly hoping and praying that by the time we finish this series, we will be able to gather again and can finish it together. Won’t that be great?! In the meantime, wouldn’t it also be great for the book of James to have a similar effect on our scattered church as it did on the Jerusalem church?
Start preparing your hearts now for the Spirit’s message to you through the book of James, and then tune in on Sunday as Pastor Greg leads us into it.