Our Church Identity Part 5

PART 5: MBCC IS A HOUSE OF TRANSFORMATION 

Continuing our 5 part series from Isaiah 55…..  Those who have come hungry, thirsty, desperate  - and have tasted of God’s presence (1-3), have received their new and glorious identity (3-5), have experienced God’s mercy and empowering to change (6,7) and been led into understanding and operating from the ways of heaven (8-11) , - now go out, - joyful, powerful, transformed and transforming…..

Isa 55:12  You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 

Isa 55:13  Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed." 

This is our destiny (12) – to be engaged and partnering with the Father in His work of transforming the earth and its people to live under the joyful and peace-filled  rule of the King of Heaven (Mt. 6:10)

This is our power (12) – to have the very earth, the created order, and everything in it subject to delight and worship everywhere we place our feet (Rom. 8:20,21)

This is our fruitfulness and abundance (13)  - so that useless, ugly and painful things like the briars and thorns in our lives, communities and in our world systems become redeemed in the purpose of God and transformed into useful, beautiful and valuable resources that bring Him renown, by testifying of His power and goodness.

This is our identity – transformed and transforming (13) 

Everything God has, it is in his nature to give away (glory, goodness, righteousness, power, authority – all things - even his Son! Rom 8:32)  Everything we have received from God, (righteousness, peace, joy, hope, love, power, truth, purpose…) we too have received so that we can give it away.  Freely you have received, freely give. Matt 10:8

This is surely how MBCC becomes who God has said we already are… by His grace and transforming power we become like God. Continually receiving our fill from His abundance, we are now able to be an overflowing source of life-giving water – love, peace, hope, goodness – to those around us who come thirsty.  As in Luke 15:11-31, the relentless river of the Father’s loving character and purpose is not altered by whether the recipients are wilful, rejecting and unworthy like the younger son, or arrogant, judgemental and entitled like the older one.  In the same way, filled with the Holy Spirit-imparted presence and love of the Father, our love will be a relentless river, flowing equally to the ‘deserving’ and the’ undeserving’ – the humble and the proud, those who accept us and those who oppose us. Then it will be truly said of our house….All you who are thirsty, come to the waters, you who have no money, come, buy and eat…and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.  Is 55:1,2